Inwood always up to no good??

So on this beautiful Monday morning, it was surely not a day for being underground, but we had work to do, and we were behind on schedule since we missed the past few mondays due to other obligations. Today, we would be completing the Uptown A Line from 175 street to 207 street "aka Inwood."
We had not been Uptown farther than 168th street and of course did not know what the atmosphere would be like. I had heard about crime in Inwood on the news, so I was anticipating it to be a bit crunk, but surprisingly I was mistaken.
Our first stop was 175 street/Fort Washington Avenue/George Washington Bridge. It was a station nicer than most. As we walked outside, amazing views of the GWB embarked on us. There was a lovely glass elevator that travelers could take to the A Train platform below. Overall, I was impressed both inside and outside the station.
Next was 181 street/Fort Washington. This station was even more impressive than the last. Much different than the typical stations we've been exposed to. It was almost an art form with all the old architecture and spacious views. There were pillars, arches, even an outlook terrace. These are not normal features of a typical NYC subway station. It seemed to me these uptown stations were authentic and preserved, or maybe they just haven't been gotten to yet and reformed by man. There was, however a lot of construction going on outside the station, so whether the uniqueness would be destroyed in place of a more modern structure was not clear yet.
Similiar to the 181st stop was 190th street/The Cloisters. This station was similar to 181st street. There were amazing pillars throughout and a long walkway to the exit. There were also amazing train views from the above platform. As we exited the station, we noticed we were high up on a hill and the station was embedded into the side of a mountain. It was not like walking out onto a busy street, but more like walking out of a cave and into a quiet hillside neighborhood. We went and sat in a nice little park not far from the station and watched people enjoying the beautiful day walking their dogs and getting some sun. I liked it up here. It felt very peaceful and away from the bustle of being in the midst of manhattan.
We could have stayed in the park all day, but we had to stay on schedule, so we headed to the next station: Dyckman Street/Broadway. There was nothing too special about this station except for an underpass to the Downtown platform and I also noticed there weren't any benches in station which is a common convenience.
We didn't waste any time here and headed to the last stop, which was Inwood/207 Street. I must say I was a bit nervous because I mostly had heard of Inwood in the news in which some crime was committed. But again, I was impressed. The station was decent and upon our exit we noticed a number of inspirational quotes embedded in the station walls. A huge mural in sparkly silver lettering adorned the walls. It was really what made the station unique to those who took pride in their neighborhood. I felt almost welcome, since I was technically an outsider have never setting foot in the area known as Inwood. We walked outside and I immediately found a nice little cafe, where I could honor my coffee fix. I liked the fact that I was discovering new areas, even though I was only in a small part of them for a short time, I still could say I had been there. I had been to Fort Washington. I had been to Dyckman Street. I had been to Inwood. We ended the day at our favorite Irish pub, Coogan's, which we had discovered some three weeks ago on 168th street. Until next time under the city. - LinZZ

Back to Queens: JFK Airport/Rockaway branch

Ok so when I found out we'd be stopping at JFK airport on our route today, I hastily logged onto Kayak.com to look at cheap flights to Denmark. Oh how I wish I could just get up and go!!!!! But alas, my dreams became reality and I left the suitcase under the bed for a more planned out vacation :)
Today was one of those shitty day: cloudy, rainy, chilly, basically FUGLY. So it would be a good day to be undergroud, however the stops we would be covering we all outdoor stations, ha, the irony!
So we hopped the train at 10:30am, a half hour earlier than our usual 11am call time due to the length of time it was gonna take to reach our first stop which was the Aqueduct/N. Conduit. Along the way, we came across some bongo players in the train to entertain and wake our asses up. They were a highlight of the gloomy commute and I even got to make a debut drumming along with them.
We finally made it to Aqueduct/N. Conduit. This stop was named for the horseracing track that was seen from a distance. This station was pretty basic. Outdoor platform, then you walk inside, through the turnstile, past the attendant. What was unique to me as we exited the station was that instead of walking out onto a street, there was a freeway. I realized we were way out there.
Next was JFK Airport/Howard Beach. Of course, I have been here before. Very nice, sleek design, Escalators to the air train, lots of travelers going to and fro with there baggage in tow. I was jealous as I have been craving a trip for too long. We didn't stay long as if we had, we might have caught the next flight outta here! We looked outside the glass windows and noticed marshy lands and houses barely standing admist the tracks. Who would want to live in the middle of an airport, let alone a subway track. Rent has to be cheap for those inadequacies and to endure the constant noise.
We noticed we were a bit behind schedule, so lingering was not a thing to do if we wanted to get done on time.
We got back on the train to the next stop: Broad Channel. It took a bit to get here as we had to cross the waterways. Although, it was a crappy day out, the views of the water were so serene and beautiful. It's like all your worries we washed away. We finally reached Broad Channel. As we stepped out side the train, I noticed the platforms we extremely close to one another, meaning that the Manhattan bound platform across the track was not that far from reach. I did not like this.
By this time it was getting colder and misty. We got on the train and headed to the next stop. Gaston, Beach 67...I realized the rest of the stops would be labeled Beach Stops. Beach 60 - Straiton gave me the first signs of beachyness. The smell of salt and sand, even the wind had picked up reminding us the beach was within proximity. We had ocean views, but it was creepy to me as the beach was of course desolate. I tried to look for sand, but saw a lot of growth wondering if this was a beach that was frequently occupied. Of course, my sight was only that through a camera lens and I could only focus so far, so I'm sure this place looks much different in the summer. Right now, it was reminding me of scenes outta Cape Fear.
I started to get really cold realizing I hadn't dressed for the weather. My mentality was reminding me it was April and scarves and gloves were obsolete. I should have second guessed because I was freezing and the trains were taking forever, or so it seemed. The next four stops were all pretty much models of each other except for the last stop: Mott Avenue, which thankfully in my case of the beginning stages of hypothermia, provided us with a train already set for take off. We reached the last stop and hopped the Manhattan bound train across the platform ready to head back into civilization. On our way back we stopped off at JFK and grabbed some slices at a local pizza joint. The pizza was yummy, but not as good as the slices we had out in Queens a few weeks back, but $5 for 2 slices, a coffee, and a soda, I can't complain. We had another great adventure, and even though the weather was a bit of a set-back, it didn't keep us from completing our route. We discovered new places, maybe a potential beach to travel in the summer, JFK of course, and a racetrack. Another Monday full of great wonders and discoveries that seem to be neverending in the great New York wild. till next ride..over n out..-Linzz

"Coming outta Queensbridge"

So the blog has been MIA for the past few weeks due to a number of things conflicting our sacred Mondays, but we are now back on track. So here is where we left off a few weeks ago..

Well we WEREN'T really coming outta Queens..more like going into Queens.
Today we'd be going out to Queens to complete 7 stops: Grant Avenue to Ozone Park/Lefferts Boulevard. We'd be on the A Express Line, which we soon discovered consisted of 3 branches: 1 branch to JFK/ Far Rockaways, another to Rockaway Beach and a third to Ozone Park/Lefferts Blvd. Yes, I was confused, but this was all useful information. Today we'd cover the stops on the Lefferts Blvd./Ozone Park branch.
Of all my four and a half years in NYC, I have never been to Queens, so this was my chance to finally get there.
Grant Avenue was first and we would still be in Brooklyn. Nothing too out of the ordinary here. Very desolate. We walked out of the station, which was the highlight. Very unique, old New York design. We didn't waste time. Got what we needed and then headed to Queens. Bascially, I can sum up the next 6 stops were all in Queens and all quite similar in structure. All outdoor stops. All overlooking the street below. We ventured to 80th Street - Hudson stop, then 88th Street - Boyd. Both too similar. We decided to walk out of the station at 88th street to the coffee shop on the corner. Amidst out 5 minute walk, we definitely saw some wheelers and dealers. "Oh Dorthy, we aren't in Manhattan anymore!" is the the first thing that came to my head. I didn't feel threatened though like I did in east Brooklyn and plus the outdoor stations made me feel like I had room to move in case I had to run anyway from anyone.
Next stop was Rockaway. Again pretty much the same as the last, except I noticed there was no attendant at this station. makes it much easier for those who want to get a free ride and jump the turnstiles.
104th and 111th street nothing notable here. We did however stop at a local pizza joint off 104th for an authentic slice. And let me tell you, there is no fluff out here. It's bascially, "Wouldya want, done!"
No, Hi, how r u? What can I get for you? Thanks for your business." But the pizza was that good, that they didn't need to sugarcoat anything. I just observe "the way" out here. Everyone I came in contact with, had that way about them. That authentic, "don't fuck with me attitude" that you only find out in these parts. Again, i wasn't threatened, i more or less appreciated it and tried to emulate it.
We finally made our way to Ozone Park/Leffert Blvd. Last stop! DONE. Trains both stationed on either platform, 1 ending, 1 ready to head out for the trekk. We were having fun and what we saw of Queens wasn't half bad. I felt free outside of the usual Manhattan stomping grounds. not sure if I'd ever want to live here, but I'd definitely be back. That you can count on! :)