On February 10th, 2016, I embarked on a journey to the High Line with the guys plus one crew of Mitch, Robin, Mark, and me. Our trip began at Chelsea Market. My first thought when we arrived was that people would have to be out of their mind to come here just for fun in this weather. Unless they’re tourists. It was probably 18 degrees outside with wind chills, and I could feel my face going numb. There wasn’t anything particularly interesting happening at Chelsea Market – just shoppers purchasing some groceries, and we left rather quickly. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of shops that were open.

After leaving Chelsea Market, Mark was extremely concerned with getting food to eat before continuing our journey, so we made a quick stop to SmashBurger. I wasn’t hungry at all, so I just sat there while watching the guys plow down their meals of burgers, fries, onion rings, and shakes.

Finally, we began walking to the High Line, and we entered at the entrance at 14th Street and 7th Avenue. This wasn’t my first time at the High Line, but it was the first time I went there in such cold weather. I’ve probably been to the High Line in all the other seasons, just not winter. I immediately regretted coming because although the walk wasn’t even that long, it felt like climbing a mountain with those wind gusts. I could not feel my legs once we got on the train ride home.

The High Line was the opposite of what I remembered when I went last semester for Seminar 1. The green and life of the trees and plants were long gone, replaced by the dull, brown color representing no life. The wind chills were a lot stronger than the light breezes of the Fall weather – I could feel the wind prickling my skin even though I was wearing gloves. Other things I noticed first while on the High Line were the loud noises of construction in the background, and some horrid smell that smelled oddly similar to manure.

While walking down the High Line, I noticed all the Panorama artwork that was there when I went last semester. I was happy to see the physical graffiti was still there, because that was my favorite. I didn’t take many pictures because I tried to keep my hands warm in my pockets, but did take it out to capture a picture of My Mom Drinks Pepsi II by Kaarl Upson. This was also there when I went to the High Line in the Fall last semester. I noticed how the plant life surrounding the piece of art was mostly dead now, compared to last semester, when it was surrounded by a lot of green (see images below).

We continued down the High Line, and around 26th Street, I saw a couple posing for a picture by the edge of the High Line. I saw more people on the High Line while we were there, but these were the only people I was able to record and remember (it’s a bad idea to rely on my memory). The woman was dressed in a light brown peacoat with black knee-high boots. The male was wearing a grey brimmer hat and a thick navy blue jacket. They took multiple pictures together as they tried to get the angle and lighting perfect, reminding me of my past attempts to get a new profile picture on the High Line.

Since the last portion of the High Line was closed, we had to exit at the 28th Street entrance. The two things I learned that day were that I shouldn’t go to the High Line in sub-zero degree weather (yes I know I’m exaggerating), and that I really need to get warmer gloves.