Oh, Hey Boo!

 

I am so not ready for Halloween

Hey, Boos! I know I've been away way too long and no real reason. Though I did have a keyboard issue last week, which after a few days of time spent with Google, is now in the past. I'm glad it's resolved, but computer issues do put me in a tizzy. I don't miss much about working, but I definitely miss the IT staff we had and how helpful they were. 

It's still summer in New York, and these last few weeks have been lovely. There's been some  rain, but nothing I've wanted to do has been rained out. I've managed a great day in Brooklyn looking at one of my favorite views of Manhattan and a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I haven't been to either of the latter in the last few decades and it was way overdue. 

 I didn't spend much time at the Museum, though there's a lot to see. My visit was to take a hard-hat tour through the restoration work being done on abandoned the hospital section, which had been closed to the public for the last 60 years. We had a wonderful guide from the Save Ellis Island Foundation and it was a fascinating visit to the past. Most of my family came to the United States via Ellis Island and I spent some time in the document section where I found the manifest of the ship my grandparents arrived on in April, 1914.

The view of the Statue of Liberty from a window in the Isolation Ward of the Hospital. 

This was the section for patients with tuberculosis. 

I leave on Wednesday for Omaha. It's a quick visit, but another stop on my quest to see all fifty states. I've got a sight-seeing itinerary and a list of fun restaurants, including two "must visit" ice cream shops. One is only a five minute walk from my hotel, so I know that will be one of my first stops in Omaha. 

If you  enjoy my New York photographs, please stop by my Facebook page. I've been posting regularly there and I'd love to have you visit. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and enjoy the waning days of summer.  

 

Lady in the Harbor

If I had to pick one place to visit in New York, it would be the Statue of Liberty. Without.Question.

 

I first visited the Statue of Liberty with my parents in the summer of  1965. I had been to New York City many times, both to visit relatives and as a tourist, but this was my first visit to Lower Manhattan. I have two memories of the visit. I remember climbing -- not sure if it was to the crown -- infinite steps and the sense of awe and wonder I took away. The sense of awe and wonder remain to this day. One of the great pleasures of my life was an office view of the Lady in the Harbor. My colleagues told me that the view would become routine and at some point I wouldn't notice it. That never happened. Every day the view was brand new to me.    

 

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States in 1886. It was designated a national monument in 1924. The lines, as you see below, are ever present. It is highly recommended that you buy your ticket ahead of your visit. If you wish to visit the crown -- my memory of infinite steps -- those tickets are often reserved six months ahead.   

"I lift my lamp beside the golden shore."

Emma Lazarus

"Stand beside her and guide her thru the night with the light from above." 

If you're unable to get tickets a great view of the Statue and all of New York Harbor is via a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. The half hour trip is without cost, but the views are priceless. I took this picture returning from a minor league baseball game in Staten Island last July.

Sunset over Ellis Island

You may be able to coordinate a visit to Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration when you visit the Statue of Liberty. Ellis Island is a fascinating repository of the twelve million who passed through there as a first step to America.

I hope during your visit to New York you have the opportunity to meet Lady Liberty.

 

 

I'm just about halfway through the alphabet in this series of posts for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I'm at that moment where I don't think I can begin to do justice to the wealth of sights to visit in New York City. Please come back and visit. We will be going to some great places.   

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and enjoy the week!