Great Loop: New York City

Amy Marie meets Lady Liberty

New York City!  We made it!  Pinch Me! A major milestone on our voyage, by boat, around the eastern portion of the United States.  The last couple of days have been one some of the most memorable of the entire trip.  I would suspect the  last time we felt anything close to this was when we completed the 22 hour crossing of the Gulf of Mexico from Apalachicola to Tarpon Springs.  That was more of a milestone.  This was bigger.  Coming into the harbor from the Atlantic Ocean, under the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and seeing "Lady Liberty" holding her torch high just covered us with goose bumps and puts a lump in your throat.  

Thinking about all it represents, it's symbolism, it's location adjacent to Ellis Island were so many came to America seeking a new beginning.  All those thoughts and more wash over you.  Our country, which means us, are custodians of a set of  principles and values that project so much.  As we found on our voyage north up the Atlantic coast, it all works because we can come together as a group or team to accomplish goals and dreams whose outcomes are much greater than any of us could achieve on our own.  With those thoughts in mind, we voyaged into New York Harbor

Ellis Island, Where so Many of Our Ancestors First Set Foot on American Soil

The sun sets on our anchorage behind the Statue of Liberty

We enjoyed NYC so much, we return by train from an affordable Marina in Croton-On-Hudson

The train follows the Hudson River South to New York City

You arrive in Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is over 100 year old

The clock, which adorns the front, is the largest clock ever constructed by Tiffany

Immediately outside the terminal you have the chance to purchase various delicacies

The Central Café has a spot across the street

A graceful statue

Beth found the Dog Museum

They had an exhibit on War Dogs

This Delicatessen, adjacent to the World Trade Center which stayed open to feed first responders following the events of 9/11.

That's American values in action.

Inside the Deli where we enjoyed a Reuben with Potato Salad

9/11 Memorial Square

The 9/11 Reflection Pool

The entrance to the 9/11 Memorial

It is underground in the location of one of the original towers

These stairs carried many survivors to safety

One of the FDNY Ladder Trucks 

We next visited the High Line

A urban green belt built on the bed of an elevated railway

It was a nice refuge from the streets below

You have to purchase tickets in a time slot for access

Whimsical Statues and artwork adorn the High Line

The View from the High Line

A Green space near the High Line

The Empire State Building

The new World Trade Center

The Chrysler Building

Trinity Church

(From the Movie: National Treasure)

Sunset over the "Big Apple"

The city skyline as we started our trip up the Hudson River

Manhattan Island early in the morning

We continue up the Manhattan Waterfront

The New Jersey skyline across from Manhattan

The new World Trade center blocks the morning sun

Amy Marie had a peaceful weekend morning cruise

It is a challenge to find the words to describe just how much we enjoyed our New York City visit.  The entire experience from entering the harbor to exiting north up the Hudson River was truly remarkable.  It is easy to see why the city has such a world class reputation.  Would I ever live there - probably not.  But I would visit again in an instant.  This voyage continues to be the trip of a lifetime.  More adventures ahead!

Berthing

• While in town, we anchored behind the Statue of Libertyl (one night)
• We moved up to Half Moon Marina in Croton-on-Hudson for two additional nights
• This is located near a train station, so easy to return to Manhattan Island.

Trip Log