New York, New York —

Yesterday, they added the final small piece to the new tower number one at the World Trade Center, the crowning touch to the tallest building in the western hemisphere.  We were on our way into the city so we decided to get off the train a few stops early and take a tour of the new downtown.  As you rise out of the subway, tower number one lines up exactly in the center of Fulton street like an enormous exclamation point.  It is truly a dramatic structure.  It draws you right to it.

It has been a little over a year since we were last here and it is amazing how much progress has been made.  We have watched tower number one slowly rising but totally missed the fact that tower number four was also going up and is now almost complete as well.  Both of these structures should be open within the next year and a large, impressive neighborhood will start to take shape.

Right now the Memorial Park is already in place and is well worth a visit.  It is a uniting element that brings forth many emotions;  fond memories for the structures that are missing, sadness for those we have lost and inspiration in watching a new future form.  Very moving.

After our visit, we strolled over to the river and enjoyed a long walk up the Hudson Riverside Park to Greenwich Village.  I know the Highline is the “go to” park of the moment but this one is beautiful too and much less crowded.  It also offers a lovely view back on the new skyline of Lower Manhattan.