One of the great things about training for the Pacific Crest Trail prior to leaving New York is that it gives us an excuse to explore roads and neighborhoods we’ve never been to before (like Roosevelt Island a few weeks ago). On this particular hike, we had the chance to explore the tippity top of Manhattan.
We started out in the neighborhood of Inwood, the northern-most point of the island, right across the Harlem River from the Bronx. There was a lovely wooded park full of hills (aptly named Inwood Hill Park), and views of the Henry Hudson Bridge.
Our journey took us south into Fort Tyron Park, which is home to The Cloisters: a replica of medieval European abbeys. 
Bricks from 5 different French cloistered abbeys were shipped to New York in the 1930’s and used to build The Cloisters! Very beautiful building, gardens, and views. Sadly, spring is taking its sweet time getting to the East Coast, so the trees and gardens were bleak. Paul and I had been to The Cloisters’ gardens once a few years ago when the flowers were in full bloom and it was gorgeous!
After we made it through those two beautiful parks in the woods, we ended up on the peaceful Hudson River Greenway, which is a paved trail along the Hudson River stretching all the way down the length of Manhattan. Once you hit midtown and head south, it gets pretty packed with joggers and cyclists. However, up where we were hiking, it was like being in the quiet countryside.
Not so sure we’d want to eat those fish!
At one point we walked by the section of parkway where we used to reside in Washington Heights. Katherine had memories of coming out here to watch the Fleet Week ships float up the river. Living in Washington Heights was wild….a true “inner city” experience. It is known for having some of the most affordable housing in Manhattan. Though they are rather rundown, the apartments are still lavish and huge for the price. Back in the day, we made friends with the drug dealers on our stoop so that they would keep an eye on our truck parked on the street and make sure nothing bad happened to it! It was a crazy, adventurous time, and we’re glad to have experienced it. Plus, we were within walking distance to the Yankees games in the Bronx!
Our day hike continued at a quick pace along the shimmery shore, but the sky grew stormy as the day wore on, and Katherine’s feet really started to ache. Luckily no blisters (only one blister total so far in training!), but just a general achy pain that kept shooting down her legs to her feet. The Greenway started to merge with the highway where it was noisy and polluted. The beautiful tree-filled hike was quickly turning into a painful, annoying slog. Just as Katherine was on the verge of giving up, we made it to midtown: our stopping point.
Paul and the many Trump Towers
We stepped into the historic Landmark Tavern on 11th ave for a bite to eat. Literally every eye in the room stared at us in our gear when we walked though the door. Again more questions about out trekking poles…no one out east knows what trekking poles are! Once our stuff was safely tucked under the table, we ate a hearty meal (burgers, fish and chips, Caesar salad). We left feeling completely rejuvenated, almost as if we could walk another eleven miles!
Katherine’s favorite street in Hell’s Kitchen: It’s called Restaurant Row! Gotta love the people in the neighborhood….
But since it was near 6pm, we opted to just walk to Times Square and take pictures. 
Paul is one of the few New York residents who actually loves Times Square. He takes joy in people-watching and photo-bombing.
i heart trail 