Enlightening the World
There are several things on my bucket list while visiting the northeast; to see some Maine Lighthouses and to visit the Statue of Liberty. Today, I’m checking one off the list. I book a charter with Statue citycruises to tour Statue of Liberty. They offer two cruise options: one leaving from Liberty State Park in New Jersey and the other leaving from Battery Park in Manhattan. A little apprehensive about driving and parking in Manhattan, I opt for the New Jersey cruise.
The conservative plan is for a 2-hour drive from Pennsylvania to the New Jersey terminal. This turns into a 3.5 hour drive as I-80 features agonizing traffic stops and construction delays. Further, after getting turned around in Liberty State Park, I arrive even later than I intend. I run from the terminal parking lot just in time to hear the ferry horn blast signifying the ships impending departure. I plead my case to jump on, but am diverted to a TSA security checkpoint as my ferry departs into the Hudson river. Concerns that I might be shut out all together today are unwarranted, as an agent on staff cheerfully reissues a ticket for the next hourly ferry.
With a new ticket in hand and time to kill, I marvel at the outstanding views of the Manhattan skyline. Also, on the terminal grounds is a 911 memorial constructed of twisted steel girders from the infamous terrorist attack. A somber reminder that freedom isn’t so free.
The New Jersey ferry goes to Ellis Island first and allows an hour to tour the Immigration center. They also offer a hard hat tour that allows you to visit the hospital on the island. Now, I would have lost a considerable amount of money betting that the Statue of Liberty is on Ellis Island. It is not, its on its own little spit of land called Liberty Island.
Ellis Island
Ellis Island is a federally owned island in New York Harbor and was the busiest immigrant inspection station in the United States. From 1892 to 1954, nearly 12 million immigrants arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey were processed here under federal law.
The story of Ellis Island comes to life in the National Museum of Immigration.
The museum is housed inside the main building of the former immigration complex, the museum documents the rich story of American immigration through a collection of photographs, kiosks, displays, heirlooms, and searchable historic records. I spend an inordinate amount of time for looking for my ancestors. Though I find many with my surname, I was never able to really connect the dots. Granted, I only had about an hour total to spend here.
I tour the Great Hall, baggage room, and restored dormitories. I marvel at the number of steps immigrants actually had to go through to be deemed worthy of admission. There are many health and cognitive tests one must complete. The US was not the open door, open borders that I have always been taught to believe. Many were turned away.
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Give Me Liberty
I meticulously plan this trip to catch the morning sunrise and optimal lighting of the statue. I don’t want a repeat of the errant shadow that I had on Mount Rushmore. My one-hour traffic delay does allow the sun to be higher in the sky that I want, but that is now just a minor concern as the excitement of finally seeing her mounts. I’m first in line to board the ferry from Ellis Island and I’m calculating, triangulating and plotting how I’m gonna dash to the perfect viewing spot ahead of the dozens of others behind me. Settling in with an unobstructed view in the back corner of the Miss Ellis Island, the diesel engines roar to life.
It only a few minutes trip to Liberty Island. As the ferry approaches Liberty Island, I see that Lady Liberty is indeed partially shadowed.
But as if a prophetic symbol, as the ferry rounds the Island, the whole statue lights up like a beacon. I can only imagine how those who first saw her after leaving war zones, extreme repression and poverty did. It stirs much emotion and pride to see her boldly standing there.
Let Freedom Ring
The ferry docks and disembarks on the back side of the statue. I practically sprint to get to the front side to see her in all of her glory. Along the way, are people of all nationalities posing in groups and taking selfies. There is even a mild uproar of applause as a young man proposes to his chosen one, as Lady Liberty looks on with approval. She said yes!
I have hopes that the pandemic would run its course enough to allow visitors to climb to the statues crown. But alas, it’s not to be, it remains closed during my visit. However, the climb to the top of the pedestal is available. Little trivia filled signs along away break up the drudgery of climbing the 195 steps. They are a lot of fun, and take your mind off the huffing and puffing. Did you know the Statue served as a lighthouse for 26 years and her light could be seen for 24 miles? You learn this just 26 steps from the top of the pedestal.
The statue of Liberty has a 35 foot waistline and wears a size 879 shoe
Much of the visit was spent walking around and looking up. Each angle reveals a portion of the statue I’ve never noticed before.
Like a well oiled machine the ferry departs right on time back to the Jersey Terminal. There is much to be seen from this vantage point on the Hudson river: Governors Island, the Manhattan Skyline, East River bridge, and even a better look at the hospital wards on Ellis Island. However, I can’t keep from looking back at Ms Liberty. I’m a bit surprised by the longing I am experiencing. I’m not really ready to leave her, and just hope I don’t run in to the huddled masses yearning to be free on the interstate on the way back to Pennsylvania.
When not on the road, he helps others fulfill their yearning to travel as a Membership Specialist for Thousand Trails.
I used to always wonder about people who chose to visit Europe when there is so much to see in the United States. Love to seeing your blogs again!