After we left the 9/11 Memorial Complex we caught a train to do the High Line walk.
The High Line was built from 1929 to 1934 as a safety precaution for Manhattan pedestrians as prior to this period freight trains travelled alongside 
the roadways of the city and frequently caused the loss of life or injury to pedestrians or traffic at street-level train crossings. For years the High Line served as an integral part of Manhattan's industrial landscape and " the lifeline of New York."
the roadways of the city and frequently caused the loss of life or injury to pedestrians or traffic at street-level train crossings. For years the High Line served as an integral part of Manhattan's industrial landscape and " the lifeline of New York." The elevated railway allowed efficient delivery of meat, produce and dairy products into the warehouses and factories up and down the West Side. In the 1950's and 1960's when manufacturing began to decline, train traffic also decreased and the elevated line fell into a state of disuse. In 1999 a pioneer group of "high-line residents", worked with the railway owners to advocate for an adaptive re-use of the High Line. Many residents had unofficially used parts of the track as short-cuts across Manhattan's West Side district.
In 2005, after years of collaboration with the City Council and Friends of the High Line the owners of the line (CSX Transportation) donated the High Line to the City of New York and thus paved the way for the High Line to be opened to the public. Today the West Side of Manhatten has been transformed from an industrial district into vibrant residential and commercial neighbourhoods with new parks and cultural centres. The High Line 
provides a wonderful leisure and pedestrian access along the city. It highlights the expansive views of the New York's Hudson River to the west and the city buildings to the East and it is used by tourists, joggers, families, busy business executives and school kids as a means of access, a place to exercise or just to get away from the hustle and bustle in the streets below or as a place to sit and take a lunch-time snack or ' catch up with' friends. 
The Friends of the High Line is a volunteer organisation that works with the City a Council to maintain the safety, cleanliness and and beautification the High Line today. They have created a relaxing and beautiful walkway which has great city views, plenty of areas to rest in and the advantage of cool, cool breezes which the raised walkway receives from the Hudson River and port area which is parallel to the High Line. We had a slendid view of the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the traffic and crossroads below us as we walked the line.
Ken took a photo of The Empire State Building from the High Line, using his telescopic lense.
FToday, teams of local volunteers care for and maintain the planting of the many varieties of plants and trees that adorn the length of the High Line walk. They also provide seating in shaded areas, spaces where buskers can perform and spots for small vendor outlets sell simple fare for the many walkers, runners, tourists and families using the High Line each day.
We found the High Line was a relaxing and interesting way to see the city and even though it was an extremely hot day the cool breezes were welcomed and we rested on benches or in the shade of trees and bushes growing in gardens on the High Line. We had great bird's-eye views into building sites, closed to those at street level and we marvelled at some of the many unusual and sometimes weirdly-shaped city buildings that we saw as we trod the High Line trail. We are so glad we made the effort to locate the line and took the time to enjoy our amble along such an interesting city walk. Look for it next time you are in New York.
We saw many things that we would not have seen, had we walked at street level instead of using the High Line but probably the most novel was the stackable car park which we looked down upon from the our vantage point somewhere on the High Line. New York has a parking problem as land space is a premium. The high rise buildings assist in providing office and residential space and the stackable, automated car parking system is an excellent way of saving space in New York. We took a couple of photographs for your interest.
At the end of the High Line walk we found ourselves at the Hudson River waterfront and we only had to walk about 2 blocks to reboard the Sea Princess. We were pretty tired after such a busy day and headed straight for our cabin and a long hot shower. After dinner we set sail just as the sun was setting and we began our slow sail along the Hudson River out towards the ocean. Cruise ships and other large vessels are restricted in the speed of knots they sail in NY's busy sea way, for safety reasons and to prevent waves damaging the fragile shoreline. We could see the Statue of Liberty highlighted by the last rays of sunlight as the captain blew three loud toots from our ship's horns. Soon the sun had set and as the sky darkened we watched a myriad of lights in hundreds of skyscrapers light up the city skyline with twinkling colours that made New York looked like a fairyland. We had fun picking out some of the iconic buildings that we recognised and the Brooklyn Bridge was also outlined with a halo of glowing lights. Ken took one last night photo of the Statue of Liberty when she came into view and that is how we farwelled the city "that never sleeps".