Days Fifteen and Sixteen

We packed up the next morning and moved on to New York. That night, Debbie got to share with me the “fun” of doing laundry in a campground laundry room.  This campground’s laundry facilities weren’t air conditioned and only had six washing machines and three dryers for the whole campground. Usually, a large campground has facilities in two different locations to accommodate the campers, but this one didn’t. One of the things I’ve noticed about camping is the friendly attitude of the vast majority of people we encounter across the country.  This evening was no different.

There were four groups trying to do laundry at the same time, and the spirit of cooperation was great to experience.  It also gave us a chance to talk to a couple of people who were from Saskatchewan in Canada. They were driving antique cars and TTs across country and joining a group of others for an antique RVs road trip in British Columbia. They figured since they were coming east anyway, they’d see some of the U.S. on their trip.  This road trip is only undertaken every ten years, so it is a pretty big deal to them. They all are to meet in BC and travel west back to Saskatchewan. Their TTs are restored and have been painted to match the paint on their cars – or is it the other way around, I’m not sure?  Anyway, it was delightful to stand there and hear about their adventures while we were washing, drying, and folding.  It was also fun to hear about their how everyone has been excited to get to see these RVs as they travel east.

Our first sight of the Big Apple

John said all along in the planning of this trip that he didn’t have any desire to see New York City, so I made arrangements to go on a tour from the campground for the three of us.  Our group met for a continental breakfast at 6:15 a.m., and then boarded the campground bus for our grand adventure in New York City.  Our tour guide was a young man named Keaton who had been hired this year and given the assignment of guide not too long ago. He’d done a lot of research so he could share interesting bits of information as we made our way between the different stops on the tour.

Our first stop was to be the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. And what a way to start!  We climbed aboard the ferry after standing in line for a while, and immediately claimed a seat on the second level where we’d have a good view of everything.  Josh went up on the top deck, of course, so he’d have the 360-degree view.

Lady Liberty

What an exciting trip.  I’ve wanted to make this trip for so long, and now we’re here. You can’t imagine how awe inspiring it is to approach the statue as she gets larger and larger.  Just to step onto land on this island is a dream come true.  We didn’t have time to do much more than walk around the grounds, as it is a 45-minute wait just to make the climb to the top, not including the actual time it takes to make the climb both ways. Josh was a bit disappointed, but he soon got over it. 

Ellis Island

Then it was back onto to ferry for the ride back to the dock.  Our guide had reminded us regularly on the ride into New York City and again as we got on the ferry that we weren’t to get off the ferry at Ellis Island.  We could stand and look at the buildings from the boat, but don’t get off!  It was really interesting to see the buildings and island where so many immigrants had come through in search of a better life.  Interestingly enough, apparently Ellis Island was a way station only for the less affluent immigrants – if you had money, you didn’t have to go through the indignities that these people did.  

Once we landed, we were directed to the sculpture that had been in front of the World Trade Center. When the two buildings collapsed, this sculpture was partially crushed. It was excavated and moved to the park in front of where we boarded the ferry for all the world to see. The powers that be decided to keep it in the condition it was found in and not restore it as a reminder.  There is also an eternal flame in front of the sculpture in memory of those who perished on September 11.

Then it was back on the bus for a trip to the wharves where we were to have some free time and lunch on our own.  We found a neat restaurant where we could watch the comings and goings and sat down in the air conditioning for a bite to eat.  Our continental breakfast seemed like a long time ago.  We had been enjoying cooler weather over the past week or so since arriving in the north, but the weather had taken a turn toward the top of the thermometer and we were sweltering!  The air conditioning was really welcome.  We even talked our waitress into bringing us a pitcher of iced tea for the table so she wouldn’t have to make so many trips back.

Our tour guide gathered us all up and we started a tour of the different areas in New York City. We drove through the financial district, SoHo, China Town, and several other areas with Keaton giving us a commentary about things he had learned about each area.  Did you know that Houston Avenue is pronounced as Howsten in NYC?  And that SoHo refers to the area that is south of Houston Avenue? Another thing that is amazing is the number of people on the streets in the middle of the day.

Our next stop was the Empire State Building.  More lines!  We got off the bus and were reminded about what time we were to meet back there, then led around the block to the main entrance of the building. There we showed our tickets and got in line for the first of several sets of lines to go up.  We got to the second floor where we went through security, then got in another line to have our “souvenir” photo made, then another line to get on an elevator to take us to the 80th floor.  Then we got in another line to get on another elevator to take us to the 86th floor.  And it’s hot, and crowded, and humid, and there’s no place to sit down.  But the architecture of this building is beautiful, and every floor is a marvel to look at, so it’s okay.  And then we’re out on the observation deck, looking out over the city and, oh, my – this is so worth the wait and the aggravation.  It’s a pretty clear day, and as the song goes – you can see forever!

After you've had your fill of the awesome vistas surrounding you, it's time to get into another line to go down the elevator. Amazingly enough, the first down elevator stops on the same level as the gift shop! We dutifully helped the economy of New York City and State, then got in line for the last elevator ride in the Empire State Building. Then down the escalator and out the door onto the streets of New York. Whew!

Our next exciting location was a visit to Times Square. You can't believe the number of lights on display. Apparently it is a law or ordinance that there must be lights up so many feet (I've forgotten how far) that are lighted at all times.  The visual clutter is almost jarring as there is so much movement and so many colors and so many people moving. In the photo at the left, if you look just above the 2010, you can see a replica of the ball that is dropped on New Year's Eve. Since the original ball is crystal, they take it down and send this one up.

Keaton then took those who wanted to go to his favorite sidewalk hotdog vendor for that special New York City treat.  I passed and stayed on the bus. I was beat and ready for the ride home. Debbie, Josh, and I happily dozed on the ride back to the campground.