We spent two days in Nyack and enjoyed the shops and restaurants downtown, as well as the walking friendly and health conscious vibe of the city. We left there on Saturday, September 22, for a ride down the Hudson. We timed the tide correctly and rode a favorable current to Liberty Landing Marina, on the Jersey side, right at Liberty Park. It was a spectacular spot, with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline to the east and Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty to the south. The picture above shows the new Freedom Towers, which are under construction. The guy at the dock pointed out to me that there is a "hole in the skyline between the Freedom Towers" which was where the Twin Towers stood, before 9/11. This became more clear to us when we took the ferry across the river and viewed the 9/11 Memorial site and saw the new construction up close.
After we got off the ferry at Battery Park, we walked to the Financial District and registered to see the 9/11 Memorial later that afternoon and then took a subway "uptown" and walked around Times Square and up Broadway. We were joined on this city adventure by George and Jackie from the sailboat Heritage. We have been bumping into them since we were in Lake Erie and have enjoyed getting to know them a little. They are from Sarnia, Ontario.
We took the subway to the Soho area and then walked to the 9/11 Memorial. While waiting in line, we were struck by how many people wanted to get in and also the tight security that is necessary in today's world. It was much like going through airport security.
The wait and the hassle were well worth the experience. This is a view of the North Pool, which is in the footprint of the north tower. There are two pools, and each contains the names of the victims that perished in the attacks. It is impossible for a photo to capture either the scope or emotion of this memorial.
After our afternoon in the Big Apple, we took the ferry back to the Marina and relaxed a little.
We walked to the Liberty Park to try to get some sunrise shots of the Statue of Liberty. While walking through the park, we came to the New Jersey 9/11 Memorial. In the foreground is wreckage from the Twin Towers. The two walls in the background are symbolic of the Towers and their place in the skyline. On the inside walls are the names of the New Jersey residents that perished in the attacks. Viewing this was also an emotionally moving experience.
We left Liberty Landing in the afternoon for an an overnight sail to Cape May, NJ. While I sailed the boat and dodged ferry boats and barges, Laurie snapped some shots of Lady Liberty as we left New York Harbor. When we planned this trip, one of our dreams was to sail past the Lady. We can now scratch that off our bucket list.
This is a sunset over the New Jersey shore, south of Sandy Hook.
We had a great sail (motor sail) down the shore and we were making making great time when the wind shifted and picked up (sooner and stronger than predicted) and forced us to alter our plans and pull into Atlantic City We are sitting at a dock in the heart of the casinos area, but are too tired to even consider checking out the sights. Maybe tomorrow, as it looks like the wind will continue for another day and we won't head down the coast until it shifts.
We were in New York State for about three weeks and I have a couple of reflections. The people are great. Each day it seemed we encountered someone who offered to go out of their way to be helpful. From the lift bridge and lock operators, to Judy in Nyack who loaned us her car, to the lady in the subway who sensed that we were out of towners and guided us, to the dock hands and the shrimp boat captains who kept us out of trouble; everyone has been great!
Also the countryside from the waterways is prettier than I expected and the people's enjoyment of the outdoors and the water was evident everywhere we went.
I was somewhat reluctant to go into NYC, but I am so glad I did. Seeing the memorials and the vibrancy of the city has been powerful.
Come on up for the rising
Come on up, lay your hand in mine
Come on up for the rising
Come on up for the rising tonight
From Bruce Springsteen's, "The Rising." written following September 11, 2001.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Atlantic City, NJ
Your writing paints such a colorful picture of all that you are witnessing, Dan. I have not been to NYC since 9/11, but your description of the memorial and the city make me want to return. Thank you for taking the time to blog and share your adventure with us!
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