Wednesday, June 29, 2016

June 29, 2016

Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty

Up early and short drive around marina to Liberty State Park.   Park is interesting in its own right as it is the site of the old railroad terminus for all rail lines that came in from the west and south.  From there passengers took ferries to NYC.  The train depot has been restored and a small part of it serves as ticket booth for ferries to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty.  Mostly it is just a great big empty room.  Kinda like Grand Central only empty.  Outside is the covered terminus where 15 or 20 train tracks terminated.  The signs indicating the towns and cities served by each track are still there.  Sort of nostalgically spooky.

P1030199

Empty Sky Memorial early in the morning

Went to Will Call and picked up tickets we reserved four months ago.  Then out to ferry landing and our first security stop of the day.  On to the ferry (first of the day) and a ten minute trip to Ellis Island.

 P1030203

Old Train Depot and ferry landing

P1030207

Staten Island Ferry

P1030204

Ellis Island

Ellis Island.  Did not know what to expect.  Knew vaguely what it was but not the full picture.  My impression of Ellis Island – Wow!  Very well restored and filled with displays and information that do a great job of teaching much about immigration from as far back as the 15th century.  Seeing the building and actual spaces that millions of immigrants passed through entering this country and learning what what they left and went through to get here pretty much on hope and faith alone is pretty humbling.  Many made the journey from Europe to America with empty suitcases so others would not think they were totally destitute.

P1030215

Great Hall today

P1030217

Great Hall in use.  Over 5000 people a day went through here.

 

It is a shame that Ellis Island is so difficult to get to.  Many more should be able to learn its lessons.  Added interest item for us today.  There was a special section devoted to the life and achievements of John Muir.  Very well done tracing of his life.

P1030213

 

Another 10 minute ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty.

P1030233

Lower Manhattan

 

P1030225

Tourist

 

P1030232

 

Worked our way over to security tent and went through another screening – this one even more intense.  Out of security and into the base of the pedestal. From there we began the reason we made reservation four months ago – a climb to the statues crown.  Only 377 steps, half of them on a tightly wound spiral staircase. 

P1030258

Stairs are on inside of railing.

Only 500 slots are allotted each day to climb to the crown out of tens of thousands of visitors each day.  Even applying as early as we did we still had to shuffle dates a bit.  Climb was not bad.  We paused a couple of times at landings as do most but made it in good shape. Sue says it was much better than hike to Delicate Arch. Smile

20160629_130007

Inside crown

P1030261

Arm from inside crown

Had a nice visit with two rangers stationed in the crown,  took pictures from the limited view spots, and back down the staircase to tour the very good museum in the base. 

P1030264

Sue pointing out where she had just been.

Stroll around the grounds taking pictures of New York harbor landmarks.  Had lunch – first we have purchased and back of ferry for 15 minute ride back to Liberty State Park landing.

P1030284

Empty Sky Memorial in the afternoon.  I kinda like this one.



No comments:

Post a Comment