Day 20: New York City

We took a day trip to New York City today, returning to our hotel around 10 pm. We got up about 6:15 am in order to make the 90 minute trip to Jersey City and be able to get on the ferry at our prearranged time. After a hearty breakfast, we fell back asleep--well, at least Jeremy did, as you can see!














We got to Jersey City around 9:10, in time to make the 9:40 ferry, and to take this picture with the Manhattan skyline in the background. That is not fog you see, but an inversion due to the high humidity and heat. It felt like a greenhouse. Jeremy had his sweatshirt, just in case it suddenly got cold--a true Oregonian.






Sherry spotted this ship in the bay, which we later found out is a training ship for a sailing school.











The Queen Mary 2 was docked in New York. It holds over 3000 passengers, and makes voyages around the world. This is the gem of the Cunard cruise liners. From our tipsy ferry, it really looked appealing!




Our first stop was Ellis Island, which we were surprised to learn only processed immigrants from 1890 to 1924. But considering that 9 million immigrants were processed in 1913-15 (the peak), and we have had a total of 60 Million, this place figures largely among immigrants.

This graph shows the rate of immigration since 1820. The peak is just prior to WW1, with the secondary peaks around 1880 and 1920.

This is a picture of the large processing center. Imagine up to 5000 immigrants crammed into this large room, with all their luggage deposited in a giant pile in the middle. They are in a land of hope, but a strange land with a different language. They have no job, no address, and no guarantee they will all get to stay. One can imagine the excitement and the angst that would dual with each other in this room.

Both Sherry and the boys enjoyed looking at the money yesterday. Sherry was amazed at the size of this 5000 Zloty note from Poland. For perspective, the smallest bill with a one on it at the bottom is the size of a dollar bill.

These gentlemen are waiting for their ride home. With the 1882 Immigration Act (Mental health, the Quota Act of 1921, and the Immigration Act of 1924, the US began tightening immigration restrictions. They should have inscribed on the Statue of Liberty "give us your not-so-tired, your not-so-weak, your able-bodied and strong-minded masses." Still, given the demand for citizenship, one can see why officials began to worry about the pace of immigration.

This is an artists rendering of what it might have looked like around the Ellis Island center at the turn of the century. One story told of a ship in which one-third of the passenger list were "photo brides." The ship showed up at the dock, surrounded by small boats which contained the expectant grooms. Three were disappointed, as their brides had fallen in love with someone else on the boat in the journey over, and changed their mind.

Thanks to a passerby, we got a rare family photo in front of the center. And yes, those are both Ensenada t-shirts!

One more picture of the hot skyline on the next ferry hop to Liberty Island. There was almost no wind on the water, which was very disappointing as we were on the top deck, exposed to the sun (with no sunscreen, of course--somehow, no one got sunburned).

This is a good picture from the front. Liberty stands 305 feet tall, counting the pedestal (151 feet of statue). A visitor can only go to the top of the pedestal (at her base) until July 4th, when they are re-opening the crown. That was just fine with Sherry.

The crown has 7 spikes--one for each of the world's oceans or each continent, depending on how one looks at it. The tablet is inscribed with the date, "July 4, 1776".

Around her feet are broken shackles.

Her inspiration was the Colossus of Rhodes (an Egyptian ancient wonder) and the Greek Goddess Liberté, who also appears on the French Seal of State wearing a crown of seven rays.

Her actual name is Liberty Enlightening the World.


The lamp has been replaced three times. This one was pulled in 1984 because of the extreme corrosion. We were relieved to be here at the bottom of the statue, since we had been in line without air conditioning for over an hour. Forrest commented that it felt like Disney Land, of course.

The 1914 lamp was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum, who we will see again, since he is the famed sculptor of Mount Rushmore. Funny how different things tie together!

This is the plaque that was included with the statue, which bestows it as a gift from France to commemmorate our victory in the Revolutionary War over Britain. France played a large role in that, and after our recent lessons in the revolution, our family is convinced we likely would not have won without the help of France.

Also, the gift was conceived and given at a time when France was retreating from their flirtation with liberty. Some believe it was actually a form of protest, and a reminder to the French leadership.


This list of problems and solutions with almost every aspect of the statue's anatomy demonstrates that she is really the first Bionic Woman!

One of the issues is the thinness of the shell. The copper that forms the statue is only 3/32 of an inch thick--two pennies! They placed iron supports inside to give the statue strength--especially against the wind. In 2000 they replaced every support, as they were all rusting and corroding.

Forrest liked this poster. It is an advertisement for the Peace Corps, but could be applied to any number of ruffians and malcontents who make it hard to live freely here.















We snapped this picture of Jeremy and Ian as we all climbed the 153 steps inside (even Sherry!). And no, there was no air conditioning, but it wasn't bad.







Finally, we all reached the top, and Forrest took this picture to prove that even Sherry made it!

It was very disappointing to reach the top and discover there was still no refreshing breeze to provide a break from the heat and humidity.








Here is picture of our next leg of the journey: a trip by crowded ferry from Liberty Island to Manhattan, with a pitstop to drop off and pick up people on Ellis Island.

Just prior to descending the stairs, Sherry took this picture, unwittingly framing the statue against a cloud that was similar in shape to the U.S. and Mexico.

At Battery Park in New York City, we saw this globe, which stood at the World Trade Center and was damaged but not destroyed by the attack on 9-11.

Forrest had to get a picture beside the Bull. Ever an optimist!

Yes, we were here at the New York Stock Exchange! The boys are also in the picture, because their portfolio beat Dad over the past 18 months (in this case, "outperformed" translates to "lost less money").

From Wall street, Sherry did not want to take the subway. We asked directions for a bus, but got a host of strange looks. Sherry finally capitulated. After getting subway advice, we started walking toward that station, when a cop turned us around and sent us the other way. Half a block later, we encountered the homeless lady that first sent us in the cop's direction. We got an earful of opinion from her and someone else she dragged into the conversation. Finally, we thanked her but followed the cop's advice, with her calling out directions behind us. New Yorkers are both personable and opinionated!

We finally arrived in Times Square, and decided we needed some refreshment.

On the corner, we discovered a Hard Rock Cafe. But this is no ordinary Hard Rock. You go down two floors to the restaurant portion, which is lit with blue lights and features loud music.

But they had good burgers and appetizer plate, as well as cold milkshakes for the boys, so everyone was satisfied! Forrest sat under a pair of pants owned by the Who.

Ian liked the "wall of guitars." It must have contained over 500 electric and bass guitars. Some of the songs we heard had strong bass, which Ian noted and liked. One song featured banjo, accordian and bass. Go figure! We Wondered if our friend Elena was up to playing a song like that on her accordian!

After we emerged from lunch, it was about 5:45, rush hour in Times Square. We were glad to be walking. The jumbotron on the right features the Broadway Musical Mary Poppins.

Unlike Las Vegas, we encountered no foul languages, obscene images or pushy pimps. We did see a LOT of police and one guy getting arrested.






The M&M store had this picture of an M on top of the Empire (M-pire?) State ?Building.















We passed Radio City Music Hall, and wished we had more time to visit (or at least Forrest did).

We finally made our deepest incursion downtown: Rockefeller Square. We wanted to go up in the building, but were running short on time and did not want to pop for the $20 (each!) tour only to have to leave it early.

Sherry spotted this NBC Peacock filled with M&M's at the NBC New York studios.

We had heard a rumor, and after searching a little found the only "Nintendo World" store in the world. Jeremy loved it, of course, made a few purchases there with his birthday money (thank you to all!).

We asked a young couple what cathedral this was. It is St. Patrick's, with a rare ray of sunlight gilding the cross.

The couple had just graduated from....University of Oregon!....with MBA degrees. They were attracted by Forrest's Oregon polo shirt. They can't wait to get back to Oregon and start jobs in Portland. We were also anxious to leave town about this time.

On the way back to our ferry home (different ferry, different location, different subway train, but we figured it all out), we took this picture of ground zero at the World Trade Center. More than the WTC Memorial, this new construction of the new WTC tower is a beacon of hope for everyone, and a powerful symbol that America is stronger than our enemies think we are.

Behind the sailboat, center, is the vacant location of the World Trade Center. In the evening, a light breeze had finally come up and blown the inversion away. And the sun was shining on the city!

We got back to Jersey City, contented with our whirlwind tour but anxious to start our journey West, heading for the land of the setting sun!