Day 8: August 16, 2024 Immigrants and Liberty Comment via blog

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I regretted that I had not stopped at either of the overlooks I noticed on the drive north on Wednesday. I planned to leave the motel with plenty of time to reach my scheduled ferry departure, and I left even earlier than planned. I was confident that I had time to stop at the State Line Overlook. Stopping this morning rather than on Wednesday afternoon meant my view was rather foggy with a low hanging sun instead of clear and bright but that's kind of cool in its own way. The bit of old US-9W running through the park was a surprise bonus as were the leftovers from something involving candles and rose petals.

At Liberty State Park I got my first glimpse of Lady Liberty from the New Jersey side.

I arrived in time to take in some of the park. The Empty Sky Memorial honors the 750 people from New Jersey who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11, 2001. I had decided to carry my Olympus Micro 4/3 camera because of its size and as I'd already seen, it really couldn't handle that low-in-the-sky sun. But it did capture the circle of light that the sun and the parallel stainless steel walls conspired to produce.

The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, closed in 1954, is a photo gold mine.

When I first arrived, there was no one at the ferry terminal and nothing was happening there. When I returned nearer departure time, there was a short, quickly moving, line, and I was soon aboard the day's first ferry run. Although I really had no doubt but I spoke with a couple of these crown-topped ladies to verify they were having a good time. I was encouraged to acquire my own crown but knew I would not wear it nearly as well.

The first stop was Ellis Island where nearly twelve million immigrants entered the United States between 1892 and 1954. Here are the spaces where those millions were interviewed and inspected and did a lot of waiting before entering the USA.

Then it was onto another ferry for a bit of island hopping and an up close look a "Liberty Enlightening the World".

On Liberty Island, I went first to the Statue of Liberty Museum where I watched an informative movie then headed to something that was at the front of my mind. The statue's original torch was replaced during the centennial renovation in 1986 and is now on display in the museum. I've also posted face and foot pictures along with one of an original molding form but there is much more in the museum. Incidentally, the museum page I've linked to is part of an excellent site covering the statue and Ellis Island too.

I then walked clockwise around the statue. There is some ongoing work at the base. In the museum and during this walk around, I frequently listen to audio recordings from a device available to everyone. A similar device was available on Ellis Island but I didn't realize it until I was well into exploring. On Liberty Island, I picked it up first thing.

I really liked this set of sculptures depicting five people (de Laboulaye, Bartholdi, Eiffel, Pulitzer, and Lazarus) with major ties to the statue.

I have previously seen the Statue of Liberty of liberty from a distance, including from a cruise ship and from atop the World Trade Center. Seeing it up close was on my bucket list but I actually included it as part of this trip because it is almost exactly at the eastern terminus of the Pike's Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway. I believe this point is at or very near the terminus and it is where I turned around and started following the PPOO west.

Then it was back through Newark where I caught an obviously busy scooter pilot in front of the Abraham Lincoln statue. The sign is at the eastern edge of Upper Stewartsville. It isn't clear to me from the sign whether I am driving over that first concrete mile or if the cement was manufactured nearby. I'm happy either way. The day ended with me driving over the Delaware River into the sun and Easton, PA.

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