Day 350 Great Kills, NY 2nd Day Friday May 3, 2019

Day 350 Great Kills, NY 2nd Day Friday May 3, 2019

The night was cool and winds remained brisk over night from yesterday afternoon .  The sun was again a no show - and all day today - but no rain.   Temperatures started low 50s and warmed to the mid 50s - but the breeze went calm so it was a good day to be out walking.

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Today is our last full day on the Loop. It is almost impossible to imagine that I am writing that thought. And as a last full day it was the finest kind. We went to NYC and toured the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and them walked up to the 9/11 memorial site.

Our day started with a ride to the train station from our Harbor Host John - what a wonderful guy - and I am remiss that I did not take his photo - but I have a pant load of photos of the rest of the day to share.

We took the 9:15 train to ,,,,,,,,

.....  the Staten Island Ferry. I don't have a photo of the ferry as you march trough the lobby and straight onto the boat.

The ferry delivers you to the tip of Manhattan at the Battery.

It was the site of forts used to defend the city. You buy your tickets for the ferry here

Looking out to the Statue of Liberty while waiting to board the ferry.

On the ferry 

And looking out to the Statue of Liberty

We land on the back side of the Statue of Liberty

Here is looking back at NYC - impressive even in the fog and clouds.

The is a walk around the Statue of Liberty.

And an attempt at a selfie - while at least Faye doesn't have her eyes closed.

So we swapped photo taking with another couple and things were much better.

Two for the price of one. 

It is an amazing thing to see in person. Everyone should made the journey once at least.

And from the water - like immigrants first saw it from the ships arriving from overseas.

And our next stop was Ellis Island. It is the place where over 12 million folks came to share in the American dream. But interestingly, the ships would first dock in the City. First and Second class passengers where cleared on the ship and allowed to enter the country straight away. Those in steerage (remember the Titanic movie?) where placed on ferries and taken to Ellis Island for processing.

This is the baggage room on the first floor.

 

And this is the second floor that in the day were filled with benches that one waited on for their turn to be inspected and questioned, and hopefully admitted into America. The interesting thing is that over 98% of the people were allowed to enter with 2% denied entry.  Those not permitted to enter had to be taken back to their country by the steamship line that brought them. Seems like this was a great way to get them to do pre-screening that they we required to do before taking a passenger.

The windows in the hall are beautiful - you can see the Statue of Liberty through the glass in the door.

Here are three travellers that just couldn't keep their eyes open any longer.

Back at Battery Park.

And it is a short walk to the World Trade Center site. The new World Trade Center One building reaches literally to the sky.

And there are two remembrance pools constructed at the site of the original south (here) and north towers. Faye is looking at the names of firefighters who lost their lives on that day.

And there are names of all who perished that day on the cap plate all around the memorial pool - amazing.

The memorial pool is so well done and poignant with endless water falling off all edges and into the pool and then falling into the center pit. It is a magnificent illusion to the towers falling into themselves but the endlessness of the water fall gives a feeling continuity and connection to the past and present. I know I wax poetic, but it was very moving and wonderful tribute to connect to the past and a look to the future.

 Here you can see the sheets of water falling over the edges into the center pool.

And the tower that stands again in their place is a wonderful edifice.

The Fulton Station across the street mirrors the steel facade of the original towers.

Modern architecture - interesting but I am old fashioned and not sure if it "sings" to me like it may to others. 

But there are some angles that are impressive
 

We then headed east toward Broadway to catch our express bus back to Staten Island.

This is St Paul's Chapel

And some shots walking up Broadway to the bus stop

And looking from the Verrazzano Bridge - where we will pass under tomorrow - weather permitting.

And nearly back to the Great Kills Yacht Club and the boat -spring has come to town. Hope it warms as we head north a little while longer to home.

So with the amazing day behind us and thoughts of those that came to America so many years ago still resounding in my mind, I will say, as always ................

Good Night and May God Bless