TravelE

We are at the port. Lines are long but moving. Everyone is excited! Us included. Somehow I have never ridden in a Tesla before. Look at the cool screen. It detects other cars, buses, even people.

Pier 88. It is next to the Intrepid Museum.

Car is on the way.

The top They’re closed windows across the front, but on the two sides they have the windows propped open. You can put your phone out to take a photo if you dare. I dared. You take the same type of stairs down so definitely take your time and hold onto the handball. They are very deep. back down at the bottom of the statue. They are restoring the stones at the bottom of the statue, so a lot of it was blocked off. I was only able to get a photo from the side.

The first set of stairs. They are straight but very steep. The next set of stairs are a tight spiral. There are handrails on both sides that you can use to pull yourself up. You’re gonna see the support structure and even the folds in her room from the staircase. There are a few places to stop and rest and also take pictures of the statue structure.

We stowed our belongings in a locker. Bring a quarter or they have a dollar bill changer there. Don’t worry you get your QB @Roscoe13! The line for the elevator was very short, so we hopped on that to save DH’s knees. He was wearing his new braces, which gave him extra attention in the security lines. Before we climb the stairs to the crown, we were able to take some pictures out on the pedestal. That means that crown to us give you access to the pedestal too. Some military helicopters that buzz the statue. They made about two loops around the statue before flying off. I’ll upload a video shortly. All the people down below.

This morning we got up early for Lady Liberty. 🗽 I booked crown tickets for 9:00 am. You do this through the official Statue vendor City Experiences. The crown and pedestal tickets are about the same price as regular access to the site We picked up our tickets at Castle Clinton and were given wristbands. I guess there are a lot of counterfeit ticket sellers and the National Parks Service is trying to ensure only valid ticket holders enter. Lined up for the ferry but since it was the first one of the day it had to be checked by a bomb sniffing dog. We had a stowaway on our ferry. First glimpse

Thanks. It’s nice to see you. I have followed many of your adventures!! Perfect! First drink? We are on the subway. 🚇 Should arrive by 1:30.

We are taking a cab or ride service. Did you decide?

Welcome. Your timing is perfect. The cruise has not even started!

WOW! Thank you. We are having fun and I am enjoying sharing our adventures.

We went up at 9:30 pm and they had a DJ and half priced signature cocktails. The $32 margarita was now only $16! There is a clear panel you can walk on if you are brave enough. This photo shows the size better. We were brave enough but just barely. Our walk home took us past Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. We ended the night here. Not too shabby. And we are caught up. Let the record show that I am not a quitter!!

You then take a 52 second elevator ride to the 100+ floor. The views are incredible. I took so many photos. Just a few. They had filters on the glass to take photos through. The Venezia parking spot for tomorrow.

Back to Hudson Yards and the Edge. The Vessel at night Once you enter the Edge, they have some information about building at Hudson Yards.

You also get to visit his study, the courtyard, and other exhibition spaces. The gift shop is in an old mansion that the museum acquired. We found a wine store on the way back to the hotel and had a little Chambord tasting. The sign outside the shop. My much needed glass of wine back at the hotel restaurant. And dinner. Arugula salad, fingerling potatoes, hamburger.

The books

We walked to the Morgan Library. Fridays after 5:00 are free and they have live music and cocktails. You can get the passes on the website a week in advance. DH scored these for us since I was subbing that day. The line wrapped around the building but they moved us in quickly. JP Morgan collected rare and first edition books from across the globe to create his library. He expanded to other works of art including musical compositions. I had read the book, The Secret Librarian, which goes into detail about his quest. The library is opulent and gorgeous.

I feel like I need to fat forward for you all or provide a TL;DR. Short rest at hotel and then MOMA We really came to see Starry Night. It’s one of DH’s favorites and he had not seen it in person. I have The Last Supper on my list to see. It’s in Milan. Anyone else have a “art” bucket list?

By lunchtime we have walked 4.7 miles. Quick stop by the Ghostbusters Headquarters before lunch. Lunch was Bleecker Street Pizza in Greenwich village. DH had his usual Pepperoni and I had a slice of Grandma’s Pizza. I recently discovered this. It has a slightly thicker crust, sweet crushed tomatoes, and basil. FYI, you can use your phone to pay for subways and buses if you have set up Apple Pay. Double click the right side button to activate Apple Pay and hold it over the reader. No tickets needed.

Next we head towards Trinity Church to visit Mr. Hamilton. The church is quite beautiful with a peaceful courtyard. You go thru a quick bag check and metal detector but all of the staff is warm and welcoming. There is no fee to visit. They ask for you to walk through the church and then around the courtyard at your leisure. Most of the grave markers are worn and the names and dates are not readable. Here is the oldest grave, a sweet child. And Mr Hamilton whose grave has been improved and restored over time. I am so glad we visited. The church sits between the hustle and bustle of WTC complex and Wall Street but is a welcome oasis and respite. For me, that is what church is supposed to be.

A map of the site. Greenwich Street did not go through the previous WTC site. The Memorial Glade for those who did not perish on Sept 11 but were affected by it. We think of first responders, clean up crew, and New Yorkers, but I overheard a tour guide point out the concrete barriers. He said those blocks coming out of the ground also represent all the ways Sept 11 changed our lives from TSA screenings, clear bags, and heightened security and barriers everywhere. Like this Across the street is an elevated park with a sculpture pulled out of the wreckage from the WTC complex.

We arrived at the WTC Memorial Pools via the new Oculus station. The station is designed to look like a bird in flight and is constructed with spires similar to the ones atop the Towers. Every September 11th at 8:46 am the sun aligns with the middle of the bird and generates twin shadows on the floor in the shape of the towers. It’s a very powerful statement next to the memorials. The last time we visited the site the museum was in a temporary facility and the memorial pools were under construction. Today they were both fully operational and quite beautiful considering their purpose. They stand in the original footprints of the Twin Towers. The plaques include N or S to include the tower and then the floor number where they were on that morning. A little boy was exactly at the right height to point out that the water starts there under the names before it makes the first drop into the pool. I think most people miss this.

I left you all hanging in the Chelsea Market bathroom. Let’s keep moving! Subway to Lower Manhattan Flower Delivery NYC style And musical entertainment. I made DH miss a train to hear more. Hungry Like the Wolf NYC Subway Yes! I made a YouTube account for you fine folks. Thank you for hanging out with me. IMG_0260.mov

It totally does. It had a sister building on the other side with the High Line in the middle.

I have a lot of catching up to do. I promise to do better tomorrow.