Monday (October 5) we drove to New Jersey and caught a ferry across to Ellis Island and toured the museum. A second ferry took us to the Statue of Liberty where we climbed 156 stairs (because the elevator was broken) to the top of the base (you have to reserve tickets to the crown months in advance). What a great view!
Tuesday we went from New Jersey to New York in a super cool (and fast) ferry. Even though it was very windy, we sat on the top deck and absorbed the beautiful view of the water, ships, a distant Ellis Island, and the NY skyline. Once on land we headed for the Empire State building where Micah immediately remembered the last scene (the only scene we’ve seen) from King Kong and asked no less than a million times, “Where monkey?” And then he’d answer his own question, “He falled down.” We took elevators to the first observatory deck (the 86th floor) and tried to name as many building as we could. The kids favorite thing (and possibly mine too) was taking a SkyTour of NY (a virtual helicopter ride narrated by Kevin Bacon). It was so fun! With our seats moving and shaking and the big screen flashing NY scenes, it totally felt like we were flying.
Next we set out to find the Balto, a dog statue in Central Park. Balto was a sled dog that, through amazing odds, carried anti-toxins to Nome, Alaska and saved the town in 1929. The very last picture in Balto: the bravest Dog (Ginny’s reader) was a picture of him in New York. Ever since then, Ginny has been asking to visit him. Coming around the corner we all spied the dog and Ginny ran up and hugged his neck. She said in her sweet full of love for all animals voice, “He looks like such a sweet dog. I wish I could have known him.” After lunch by the statue we went to Grand Central Station (the kids loved the subway…they recognized it from Madagascar), Ground 0, Times Square and walked down Wall Street.
Our walking tours are over! We’ve had so many recent days full of walking that the kids (and I have to admit me too) are tired. I think if we had done any more the kids would have staged a coup. Traveling to all these historic places has been information overload, but they have done well and marched right along with us. I am so thankful for the opportunity to see these wonderful landmarks. God has kept us healthy ,safe and has given us great weather.
We stayed with friends (the Chapmans) in New Jersey that we knew from residency. They had a hot tub that we all loved relaxing in in the evenings.
Waiting for the ferry
Going to Ellis Island
Empire State Building view
Ginny and Balto
1 comment:
Oh we love BALTO!
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