Day 16 To the Statue of Liberty and down the coast of New Jersey.

Today I woke early so I could upload to Facebook. It had just been too late last night to write my diary, or to upload. Breakfast and then we set off with the kids, Charlie and I leaving Christa behind to do more work around the house- certainly not to rest. She doesn’t know how.

The girls were reasonably quiet on the trip down to the ferry. We parked the car and Charlie told me about the structure that was once the largest clock by the shore. We parked by the old railway terminal buildings, which are in disrepair, but the terminal building is magnificent. Millions of immigrants passed through this system on their way to a new way of life.

We stopped at the “Empty Sky” September 11 memorial for the 5000 workers, who died in the twin towers from New Jersey. Their names are engraved on a lovely structure, but VERY difficult to photograph because it is so shiny.  Ahead is the magnificent new building, which was not completed on my last visit. Now the tallest structure in the Western world. Photographing New York from this side was great, but the sun made it lose the definition and colour that I got later in the afternoon. We missed the first ferry by 10 minutes, but they are coming and going on a regular basis, so we just waited. The good part of that was we knew we would get the top level. It is a very different view from that of the New York side. I liked it better.

As we were approaching Ellis Island, I suggested we not visit this one (I’d seen it in the past and it is definitely a place to visit, but not with small children in tow and we had tickets to the museum and pedestal at the Statue.

So we stayed on board and just got off at the statue. Same as last time, just no snow this time. However, now they have redone the torch. It is gold plated and so shiny against the sky. We did the obligatory photos and then made our way through yet another batch of security to the pedestal and museum (MUST pre book for this one). I had to put both my camera bag and small back pack in the locker, regardless of previous screening. So I stuffed a spare battery and small camera in my pockets and had my larger one around my neck. Once inside we were so lucky to have a ranger explain the history of the lantern to us and we saw the almost original. It was modified so many times after its initial creation. Parts of this one have broken off with age and it was so corroded that a brand new one was created to match the old- except now gold plated. The museum was just fascinating to see the story of its creation and its creators. One of the most significant things for me was seeing the section about Emma Lazarus who was the actual writer of the famous “ give me your tired, your poor , your huddled masses” etc. She donated this poem in 1883 to raise funds for the statue and it was eventually engraved on a plaque and put on the statue in 1903. I don’t think many Americans have any idea of who wrote it.

We climbed the 419 steps up to the top of the pedestal where you get a good view of the harbour and buildings but the kids and Charlie found it hard work. Back down the steps to lunch from the café. I minded the 2 youngest while Charlie braved the queues for food. I had made my lunch which was a great idea each day. However the drink that I chose had been partially drunk and put back on the shelf, so I had to return it through the crowds. We ate outside where again the weather  was once again just lovely albeit slightly hot in the sun.

We lined up with all the other masses for the return journey. Bunting decorating the docks to celebrate the 100^th birthday of the National Parks service. The trip back was a photographer’s dream. New York was perfect.

From here we drove down the coast, through some heavy traffic at times, to our next destination of the Navesink Twin Lighthouses.

There was a group of photographers and models at the lighthouses, modelling evening wear.

From the lighthouses Charlie drove us down the coast road past BIG homes, bigger homes and very big homes. All of which had been ruined in Hurricane Sandy. Some of the homes were on a spit between the ocean and bay/ inlet. In one section the ocean side of the road had a very high dyke to try to stop high tides/ storm damage. We drove past some famous entertainment places and onto the “gingerbread “ homes of Lakewood. So many homes were just beautiful.

There is one section there of tents. You can’t buy them, you have to inherit and they put them up in summer and dismantle them in winter!

By now the girls were very restless and it was time to return home for the amazing dinner that Christa and Oma had prepared. Salmon and salad. Both yummy. We ate outside again, but this time I had my insect repellent on. Mary Beth and the girl’s younger sister joined us. After clearing up I sat down to download photos and finally went to bed about 11. Another amazing day.