Location: Liberty Harbor RV Park, NJ
I don't know if it was the city sounds, the early morning sun or the ship horn blasts that woke us up early, but we were UP at 5:30. Today was our day to play tourist, starting with a trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
The NJ point of departure looked so close on the map, who know it would turn out to be a 2 mile walk. Oh yeah, there's a marina that we had to walk around. Good news, we were the first ones there!
Here's the NJ point of departure.
We got on the first ferry to Ellis Island and so glad we did. It was really amazing to experience the island
and the massive hall almost all to ourselves before the crowds set in.
We spent several hours taking the audio tour and experiencing Ellis Island as a newly arrived immigrant.
So interesting to hear the stories first hand.
On some days over 5000 people a day crossed through these halls.
I especially loved all the photographs, most of them blown up to huge wall murals, of the people who arrived.
Thought this quote by an Italian said it all. "Well I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here I found out three things: first, the streets weren't paved with gold; second, they weren't paved at all; and third, I was expected to pave them.".
About 10% of those coming through were detained for poor health. How'd you like to sleep three bunk beds deep, in side by side bunks? I thought Winnie was a wee bit tiny, but this is a bit too close for my taste.
The bunk beds were raised during the day to give people standing room, then lowered at night.
By the time we left Ellis Island for the Statue of Liberty there were thousands of people there and still arriving. It was so crowded!
We couldn't get the tickets to the pedestal or base, but were able to walk around the grounds, spend some time at the National Park Visitor Center, watch a short movie and hear bagpipe band play.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips. "Give me your tired, poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tots to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"....err wait a minute, that's just the tourists still arriving by the thousands. Never mind.
We finally made it free of screaming kids and hordes of school children on field trips. Glad to be back at Battery Park and break free!
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring neighborhoods. Loved seeing this iconic picture made into a sculpture, on the back of someone's pick-up truck!
We took a break for lunch in some swanky neighborhood. Got a great window seat and spent a good hour people watching. Yes, adult libations were in order.
We eventually made it to The High Line. What a great little retreat in the middle of Chelsea.
The best part for me was cooling my hot and tired feet in the stream.
Ah, shades of home.
A bit different taking a skinny dip in the South Yuba River and laying out on a NYC walkway with thousands of people strolling by - just sayin'
We took awhile slowly making our way back to the water taxi. We got in another 10 miles walk-about today. I think what I enjoyed best was all the great little parks, green spaces, and incredibly scenic river walkways. Thanks NYC. Hope to come back soon, perhaps with Megan on her next business trip? (hint, hint Megan).
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