New York City!

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

We will spend a week here playing tourist.  I visited New York as a child and Robert has never been, so we will do a few tourist things while here.  Today we will check off one of Robert's bucket list items - a visit to Ellis Island.  Our marina is next door to the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey train station where we catch a ferry to Ellis Island.

Central Railroad of New Jersey

The Ellis Island museum building was used to process over 12 million immigrants arriving between 1892 and 1954.

Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

Ellis Island Museum detail

The building has been restored to it's appearance in the 1920s.  Museum exhibits described the awe felt by new arrivals at the grandeur of the building.  Only royalty were allowed to enter the grand palaces of Europe, from whence most new immigrants hailed.

Ellis Island Museum interior

Robert especially liked our stated immigration policy.  My how times have changed!

Immigration Policy since 1882

This poster shows rail routes available to take new immigrants to destinations across the country.  Texas and California were the only two states singled out with detailed route maps and a description of why immigrants may want to settle there.

Railroad Poster featuring Texas

 We never tire of views of the City.

Lower Manhatten from Ellis Island

Our ferry makes a quick stop at the Statue of Liberty before returning.

Statue of Liberty from tour boat

This privately owned mega-yacht was anchored in front of Lady Liberty.  Note the sailboat "dinghy" on the rear deck, maybe 30 feet or more.  An equally large sport fishing boat was stowed on the opposite side of the deck.  Overall length must be at least 200 feet.

New York Harbor

A stunning juxtaposition of 1 World Trade Center and a large sailboat.

1 World Trade Center from Hudson River

We return to the ferry landing and it's great views.

Statue of Liberty Ferry Landing

Walking back to our marina, we stop for happy hour at a nearby restaurant.

Liberty House restaurant

And enjoy nightfall on this cool, dry, perfect evening!

Nightfall from Liberty House restaurant

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Today we take Boka on the ferry to the City.  Liberty Landing Ferry docks next door to our marina, so we have a short walk to board.  Ten minutes later we are in lower Manhatten and take a taxi ride to Central Park.

Central Park, New York

We all enjoyed this lovely park!  We stopped for lunch at an outdoor cafe mid-park, then meandered through the winding walkways past lakes, statues and old stone bridges.

Central Park, New York

While heavily used, Central Park was spotless and felt very safe.

Central Park, New York

A worn-out Boka had just enough energy to enjoy one more small park.  This one fronts on the Hudson River, extending along much of the west side of Manhatten Island.  Our ferry landing is next door.

Hudson River Park, New York

She met lots of people and dogs today, but this little girl was special!

Hudson River Park, New York

New friends watching for koi together.

Hudson River Park, New York

Friday, June 16, 2017

We met more Selene owners at our marina and enjoyed docktails and exchanging boat tours while in town.  Ray and Cynthia have visited this area many times and recommended several restaurants on the New Jersey side.  Since Ray is Italian, we decided to try his favorite Italian restaurant for dinner.  This charming small bistro is a short Uber ride from our marina, a plus in this huge and very congested metropolitan area.

Augustino's, Hoboken NJ

Imagine our surprise when our meals arrived loaded with jalapeno peppers!  New Jersey? Italian? Jalapenos? Seriously???   This memorable meal was delicious but almost too hot to eat!

Augustino's, Hoboken NJ

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Traveling with Boka is mostly a joy, but she has complicated our efforts to sightsee as she cannot go everywhere with us.  Today we have made arrangements for one of the marina staff to take her off the boat mid-day for a walk so we can be gone all day.

We start our morning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The building is as beautiful as the contents.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Robert was relieved that the Delaware River didn't look like this when we cruised it.  (Note the ice floes in the water.)

Washington Crosses the Delaware

After an extended stay at the Met, waiting for heavy rain to pass over, we Ubered back to lower Manhatten for an authentic New York deli sandwich.  Thick pastrami sandwiches and several hundred calories later, we walked toward our ferry landing past the 9/11 Memorial.  Identical fountains cover the footprints where the two towers once stood.  Very moving!

Names of those lost on 9/11 are etched in marble surrounding the fountains.  The unusual white structure in the background is the Oculus, a train station.

View of the new 1 World Trade Center from 9/11 Memorial park.

Freedom Tower

This very futuristic terminal is the World Trade Center PATH hub where trains connect the financial district with New Jersey, across the Hudson River.

The Oculus interior

After a very full day, we wait at our ferry terminal for the short ride across the Hudson to our marina.  The entire terminal floats to accommodate 6-foot tides.

World Financial Center Terminal

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Another outing to New York City with Boka; we promise not to tire her so much this time!  We head to Chinatown to walk the streets and eat lunch.  Our first stop is Columbus Park where locals were playing some very interesting musical instruments.

Columbus Park, Chinatown

Spirited card and board games were popular;  alas, no mahjong. ;>)

Columbus Park, Chinatown

Lots of interesting street scenes ...

Chinatown, New York

Chinatown, New York

Chinatown, New York

Chinatown, New York

Not exactly rotisserie chicken.

Chinatown, New York

Boka was overwhelmed by all the sights and smells.

Chinatown, New York

Our lunch spot.

Chinatown, New York

Chinatown, New York

Monday, June 19, 2017

Today we prep to leave after our week in the City.  We spend the day grocery shopping, finalizing marina reservations and cruise routes for the week ahead, and checking all the boat systems.  We've enjoyed our stay here with the convenient access to the City and lovely views.  Boka has especially enjoyed her romps in Liberty State Park, which adjoins our marina.

Liberty State Park from Liberty Landing Marina

Heavy rains move through late in the day, resulting in a stunning double rainbow.  The red-hulled ship in the foreground houses the marina office - unique!

Double rainbow over Lower Manhatten

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

As we prepared to leave yesterday, Robert found a slight water leak in an engine pump.  Several hours later, the pump had been replaced with a spare and we had asked to stay another night in our slip. So we are finally off for our 3 mile cruise to anchor behind Lady Liberty.

Statue of Liberty from anchorage

This is another of Robert's bucket list items, now checked off.  We've enjoyed the stunning views, but the anchorage is crowded and rocky-rolly due to all the ship wakes, wind and strong currents.  Once is enough!

Lady Liberty anchorage

Tomorrow we begin our summer cruise to New England, deviating from the Great Loop until next year.