Today was the last day on the C Line. We were covering the last 7 stops on the uptown bound C local, from 116th street to the final stop, 168th. We were not too familiar with these stops or the area, so we made sure not to dress to impress. We covered any traces of blonde hair and of course put on the camo gear.
First stop was 116th, been here before, and nothing special to report, so we hopped the subbie to 125th. It was a nice, bigger station. Christi was certain there was artwork here, but we didn't find any at first. We trekked up and down the platform and finally found the artwork she had sworn upon. They were enlarged old photographs of Harlem circa 1960 covering the walls, really nostalgic.
We hopped the train to the next stop, 135th street. Again, a fairly larger, descent station. We decided to go outside to check out if the station had any cool decoreum and plus, Christi had to go the bathroom. We walked out of the station and found a cool entranceway to the subway across the street and also a view of City College. Not only that, but a man laying outside the subway on a hill who looked like he was either passed out or dead. That kinda killed the atmosphere and so we walke to find Christi a potty.
After a bite at Subway and a potty break, we went back in and made our way to 145th street. This was a nice and bigger station as well. We went outside and noticed we were in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem. I've heard about this area being not so swell, but we didn't feel threatened in any way. There was a group of old men hanging outside the subway entrance on the steps, just having a laugh and taking in the day. To the other side was a group of old women in their "Sunday hats" handing out religious materials and pamphlets.
155th was next and this station was alright too. We were expecting it to get shady the further and further we traveled uptown, but so far we were surprised. We found here that this was once an abandoned station much like the Ralph Avenue stop in Brooklyn. I noticed on this trip that there were more notable features on the outside of these stations than on the inside. Not so much artwork as the downtown stops portrayed, but the uptown stations had their own sense of uniquesness. We stepped otuside to find incredible views and a nearby park. Uptown is really where it's at.
We didn't spend too long here and made our way to 163rd and Amsterdam. Again, another surprise. The station itself, we didn't find too many novelties. Outside was very unique, as the subway entrance was written in Old English. We found it to be a fairly nice area outside of the station, very quiet and neighborhood-like. We decided to walk to where there looked to be a view of the city. And we got more than a view of Yankee stadium. We walked back onto this cobblestone road and noticed an old coloniel mansion from the 1600's. It was apparently the oldest house in the city and now a tourist attraction consisting of redone period rooms. It was occupied by Tennir family and once a haven for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. We couldn't go in the house as they were doing some sort of construction. As we walked back down the streets it felt like our own private village. We felt like we were on an old fashioned movie set in New Orleans. We were amazed and excited by what we found. I even mentioned that I would live up here. I loved the tranquil feel, and tranquility is often hard to find in NYC.
168th street was the last stop. Hooray! We had completed the C Line! We got off and noticed it was busier than the other stations. I assumed due to the fact that there was a transfer to the 1 line via elevator. Instead of getting our work done in the station, we decided to walk outside and celebrate our accomplishment on completing the C Line and also on the unusally beautiful day. The area was bustling, nice restaurants and shops everywhere. I never thought it would be this nice this far uptown. We stumbled upon an Irish pub that took up most of the block, called Coogan's. We walked in and businessman and well-to-doer's were having lunch. We looked like hoodlums all covered up in our black gear. We grabbed a seat at the bar and over a fitting Irish brunch and mimosa's, toasted the completion of our first subway line. We headed back to the 168th street station to make our way back downtown. We needed to get the 1 train here since we had to run some errands on Broadway. We found out that the only way to get the 1 transfer was via elevator. A bit creepy, especially if you end of being enclosed with any wackos. We got off the elevator and walked onto the 1 platform. It was nothing like the usual platforms throughtout the nyc subway system. I felt like I was in a colonial day train station. Right out of a Christmas Card. There was a bridge you had to walk over connecting the uptown and downtown platforms. It was truly an amazing sight, one of the highlights. We reflected that the project went pretty smoothly thus far, but we still had a long and exciting road ahead. The next line to explore and conquer would be the A Line.
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