Day Four

Back to New York

Wednesday we got up early to catch the first ferry to the Statue of Liberty. It was rather foggy, but not at all as chilly as we were expecting.

As we boated past, I was snapping pictures, but then I put my camera down and just looked. Everyone knows what the Statue of Liberty looks like: she has been used as an emblem for so many things and almost any movie with a scene from New York features at least a glimpse of her. But there she was, in front of me. I was there.

She always seems larger than life in the pictures, movies, and posters I've seen, so I was actually surprised how small she was. Magnificent, yes, but not quite as huge as I was expecting.

We walked through the museum in the pedestal (well, I went to the end and found a corner where I could sit) and then climbed up 200 some stairs to the very feet of the statue.

Wave!

Next we ferried over to Ellis Island.

While Mom and Dad explored the museum, Eli and I sat outside and rested my feet.

Planning our next move on the ferry back to Manhattan. This subway map was what got us where we wanted to go.

After New York style pizza in Little Italy (diminished to one street in the midst of China Town)...

...and a stroll through the shops of China Town (some of the fish for sale were still flopping in ice water)...

...we walked the Brooklyn Bridge.

I wish I knew more about the history of this bridge before we went, but it was pretty amazing anyway. The beautiful brick supports were huge once we got right under them and walking on the boardwalk above the busy traffic an experience. While Eli and Dad walked all the way across, Mom and I walked to the first archway and then meandered along until we found a welcoming bench. We enjoyed watching all the tourists and New Yorkers alike walking past.

Next we went back up to Cafe Lalo for dessert and then rambled towards Central Park. This parking garage made us laugh. "We found Central Park, but couldn't figure out what's so great about it!"

For our last exploration of Central Park, we found Belvedere Castle.

It would have been beautiful to take pictures of it during the day.

A romantic looking pathway.

Good night New York! In the morning we made the long subway trip back to the airport and left the City behind.