Touristy Stuff.
Recently took a trip with a group of colleagues to Ellis Island, the place where millions of immigrants from all over the world, including my grandfather, entered the United States. I had never visited the place. Ellis Island should be on your itinerary for your next trip to New York or New Jersey. Allow lots of time, because there is plenty there to see.
The ticket (purchased at Liberty State Park) also includes the Statue of Liberty. Each of several boats goes to both places on each trip. I opted to spend the few allotted hours at Ellis Island, because I have been to the Statue of Liberty before – back in the days when people were allowed to climb all the way to the crown. There was a time when visitors could climb all the way to the torch, but that hasn’t been permitted for a long time. Now, people are only permitted to the top of the base, and, even then, you have to make a reservation in advance.
As you can see from the picture above, we were lucky enough to catch the Queen of the Fleet for the trip out to the Island.
Jimbo,
I almost had enough time to visit you while I was working in White Plains. Maybe next time.
I went down there with a couple of friends on the Sunday before Memorial Day. It was afternoon by the time we got the ferry and we enjoyed being on Liberty Island and the Statue so much that we did not get a chance to go to Ellis Island. The last ferry is at 4:30. So that will also be next time to visit where my grandparents on both sides came to America!!
I could not get my digital up fast enough but an F-16 made a flyby in across the face of the statue and it was beautiful, if you know what I mean.
The time before that when I saw the statue was at 6 AM on a Sunday morning sailing into NY Harbor on the Sky Princess from a New England cruise. Also on the beautiful NY skyline were the twin towers of WTC (RIP). I also visited that site and choked up when I saw the fire station and the flags on display.
Comment by Brian — July 28, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
Brian — Next time gimme a holler.
Comment by Jim — July 28, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
Miss New Jersey is a boat? Why am I not surprised.
Comment by Erica — July 28, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
Miss New Jersey is a boat?
Did she finally win “Miss Congeniality?”
Comment by Randy Heinz, SFO — July 28, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
Went to Ellis Island back in the 80’s with my parents to visit the site where both sets of my grandparents entered this country around the turn of the last century. The meriod of emotions I felt while sitting in the “Great Room” can not adequately be put into words. I could feel the fear and the anxiety they felt in this new strange new world, but also the hope and great expectations of being in a new land, given a “new beginning”, if you will. It truly makes my blood boil when I hear the “ILLEGAL” immigrants complain. Which, brings me to this link:http://c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070729/NEWS/707290306
Every person whose ancestors first set foot on these shores through Ellis Island should make at least one visit to that site and reflect on what that distant generation of LEGAL immigrants endured to get here and, subsequently, go on to build this country.
Comment by Jerry K — July 29, 2007 @ 11:06 am
I ain’t getting on nothin’ that floats that is named after New Jersey.
Just sayin’ is all…..
Comment by bitterman — July 29, 2007 @ 11:37 am