I actually took so many pictures on this day of our vacation that I’ve decided to blog about it in two parts. 🙂
The first day of sight-seeing started pretty early because we had tickets for the 8AM ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I had done enough research to know that trains into Manhattan left about every 4-5 minutes from the station near our hotel but we didn’t know how packed they’d be (at capacity/forcing us to wait for a later train), how long the ride would take, or how long it would take us to get to Battery Park once we got into Manhattan. If I remember correctly, I think we were at the train station at 6:30AM. We caught a (not full) train pretty quickly and the ride into the city took about 30 minutes.
When we came out of the train station, we got a bit lost. The train left us off at the World Trade Center which is (obviously) undergoing much construction. There were many areas where sidewalks were closed and we couldn’t get across busy intersections. We ended up walking in a big giant circle and doubling back to the train station. Once there, we figured out the right path to Battery Park. It was a little stressful because we wasted a lot of time and I was worried about how long it was going to take to walk to the ferry.
World Trade Center 1 (previously known at the Freedom Tower):
Thankfully, the walk to Battery Park was uneventful and we were easily able to find where we needed to go to board the ferry. We got there about 20 minutes before they opened so we just sat and enjoyed the view from the park.
When the building opened, we were probably the third group of people in line. As we got into line, we were handed 4 passed to the World Trade Center memorial.
Security for the ferry went quickly and we queued up in a building prior to boarding the ferry. We were probably “stuck” in this room for 20 minutes and it completely sucked. It was warm, we were crammed in there, and the boys were bored as hell. I don’t know why they didn’t just let us board the ferry. Grrrr.
Finally, we were allowed on the boat. We went right up to the top level and sat facing Manhattan (backs to the Statue of Liberty, you can kind of see her in the distance):
Our seats ended up being fantastic because as the ferry approached the Statue, we had front row seats to see her!!!
The view back to Manhattan was gorgeous, as well. I was taking pictures directly into the sun and couldn’t see a thing through the view finder. I was praying I was getting good shots and was very pleased with the results:
Matthew was a bit cranky so I didn’t have much luck photographing him.
He blessed us with picking his nose during this picture though….I was shooting directly into the sun again and didn’t realize that until well after we’d left Liberty Island.
While we were waiting to get on the ferry, one of the National Park Service employees told us about a”Junior Ranger” program they have on Liberty Island. Basically, kids get a workbook to complete that teaches them all about the history of the Statue of Liberty. When they’ve completed the workbook, you turn it in at the National Park Service office and they make you a Junior Park Ranger. Needless to say, Ian was ALL about that!
Looking at some vintage souvenirs and talking with some rangers.
Matthew refused to participate in this picture. LOL
After working on Ian’s book a bit, we walked around to the front of the statue:
I couldn’t help imagining what the view to Manhattan must have looked like from Liberty Island before 9/11/01. The day we visited was clear and gorgeous and reminded me so much of 9/11/01. With the anniversary was right around the corner and our trip to the memorial later that day, it was definitely on my mind.
Ellis Island:
Forget sight-seeing, Ian has a workbook to complete!!!
The Liberty Bike built by Orange County Choppers. The motorcycle is plated in copper that was preserved from the centennial restoration of the Statue of Liberty National Monument through an exclusive agreement with The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., under direction of The National Park Service / US Department of Interior.
At this point, it was getting pretty warm out and the boys were in need of food and beverages. We went to the restaurant and basically ordered lunch at 10AM. LOL
After that break, it was time to see how we did on our workbook!
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCNSy9i5g8E
Park Ranger: “Do you promise to share this experience with others?”
Ian: “TOTALLY!” LOL
I thought it was nice that they gave Matthew a badge. 🙂
My Junior Park Rangers:
After that, we made one more trip to the front of the Statue:
Then we headed to the gift shop and visited the bathrooms. As we walked there, we saw ferries bringing more tourists to the island. We were glad we took the first ferry over because these were PACKED.
We bought a handful of items at the gift shop. I thought this Barbie was cute but not cute enough to buy. 🙂
Waiting for a ferry to Ellis Island:
Matthew (voluntarily) pretending to be the Statue of Liberty:
Matthew not appreciating my direction to do less screaming of the word “cheese” and more smiling:
Mike getting in on the act:
After becoming a Junior Park Ranger, Ian walked around Liberty Island with his chest all puffed out and saying he had “a job to do”. LOL Love that kid.
On the ferry to Ellis Island:
…..to be continued…..