The Big Apple the Second Time Around

I have downloaded lots of pictures of yesterday.  There was so much to see.  We got up at 4:30 to get on the road.  We allowed 2 hours for the drive into New Jersey and Liberty State Park.  It was an overcast day but no rain.  The traffic was manageable but got a little more hectic as we got closer. I had googled the directions, so we followed them and made it to Liberty Park by 7:15 a.m.  This was the time I was told to be at the "will call" ticket window.  However, we found out that the ticket window didn't open until 7:45!!  I guess they tell people an earlier time, so those that are late can still be on time.  Anyway, we walked around and enjoyed the old railroad station.  There was a 911 memorial to those who worked for the port authority and died in the 911 attack.

This is the 911 Memorial for the Port Authority Workers who died at 9-11.  Their names are engraved on the sides of the columns.

The inside of the railroad station is beautifully restored.  Hunter is waiting patiently waiting for the "will call" ticket window to open.

These beautiful stained glass inserts were on the ceilings.

These are some of the gates on the tracks.

When Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, this area where the tracks come into the station was covered with water and may not be restored because of lack of budget.

The ferry we took to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Ellis Island where thousands of immigrants came into this country.

This room was where the processing of immigrants began.  Up to 5000 people could be in this room each day.

There were displays to explain the processing process.

Original wall containing graffiti from immigrants passing through.

One thing they would do is exchange the money they had brought from their country to American money.

The immigrants were tested mentally and physically.  A sample of the mental test was on display here.

Another column containing graffiti.

Today, new citizens must take a test to show their knowledge of U.S. history and government.  Hunter took a test of 10 sample questions and answered every one correctly.

This map was on a wall showing places where the immigrants would settle.  Hunter is pointing to Decatur.

The Statue of Liberty.  Hunter wasn't quite as successful photo bombing in this picture.  He only managed to get the top of his head in the picture.

This was the original crown.  It was interesting to see how the statue was constructed.  

We decided to climb to the top of the pedestal base.  It was 176 steps.  Carol and I thought we wouldn't make it but perseverance paid off and we got to the top of the pedestal.  It is 338 steps to the crown.  You have to have tickets in advance to climb to the crown.  I was not able to get tickets but after climbing the first 176, Carol and I knew that we would not have been able to make the crown climb.  By the middle of the afternoon even Hunter's feet hurt from so much walking.  We all would find a seat/bench or in Hunter's case the floor to take the weight off our feet.

The spiral staircase that goes to the crown.

After the Statue we took a ferry to Battery Park, Lower Manhattan.  We walked to the 911 memorial/museum.  This was a police car parked near the memorial.  Security was extremely high at each of the different sites we visited.  We had tubs that we put everything into that we carried or had on us.  This included coins, watches, glasses, jackets, cameras, belts, etc.  Then you would walk through a scanner.  One time we went through a complete body scanner.  That was a first for us.  There was a great presence of police and security people.  Some were packing heavy armament. Everyone was very friendly.  When we had a question about directions, we could ask the police or a security person and they were always glad to assist.

Inside the 911 Museum were several beams of the original buildings.  

These flags represent the different countries that were represented in the nationalities of  people who died in the attacks.

The  911 Museum is actually underground at the bedrock level of where the buildings in the Twin Towers area were located.  Below is part of the original walls and anchors of those building.

The 911 Museum is a must see if you go to New York City.  We all agreed that it was very moving to relive the story of that day.  There were two fire trucks that were damaged when the buildings fell and others items that represented the people who died in the buildings.  We spent 2 hours but could have spent hours more if we had read every signage and looked at every display.  If we were ever to come back here, we would definitely visit the museum a second time.

Before we went up into the Freedom Tower, we were told that visibility was very limited because of the cloud cover; however, we had already purchased tickets and this was our only day so we went up.  We were able to rent these computers which showed what you would see if you could see.  Papaw and Hunter are looking at the view.  We did eat supper at the top.  Prices, like the view, were sky high.  It cost us
$55 for a grilled cheese sandwich, plate-size pizza, roast beef sandwich, bag of chips and two bottles of water.  Oh well, how many times do you get to eat 102 stories above the New York City skyline in the tallest building in the U.S.?

You could look down below from the windows.  Below is a view of one of the footprints of a Twin Tower.

The elevators traveled from the first floor to the 102 floor in 60 seconds.  Every side of the elevator showed video of the city as it rose to the top.  It was a neat ride even if we couldn't see 360 degrees of the city.

We really enjoyed the day and came back to camp dog tired and with hurting feet.  Taking I-78 straight into Liberty State Park was the way to go.  From there you can get on a ferry and cross into New York City at Battery Park.  From there you could buy tickets from several different bus lines that would allow you to visit almost every spot you would want to see by simply getting on the bus and getting off somewhere.  Then at the end of the day, you could take the ferry back to Liberty Park and drive I-78 back to the camp.  We did find out that the one thing Hunter wanted to see, we didn't do.  That was to see the "Imagine Stone" in honor of John Lennon.  Who would have thought?
Today we hooked up our car and drove to Washington D.C.  Warning, the picture below may be too graphic for young children.  Parental guidance is needed.  In hooking up the car, I walked around the motorhome and hit my head on the edge of one of the compartment doors.  This is what happens when you run into a compartment door..    Fortunately the swelling has gone down.  

To avoid being too graphic, I didn't enlarge this picture!

Although we weren't at our campsite much, this is the scene we could have enjoyed.

The photo bomb of the day.
We are camped at Capitol KOA.  We have a nice site and the weather has cleared off.  We have enjoyed actually sitting outside.  Tomorrow Washington, D.C. here we come.