June 5th

On June 1st, we left Manasquan, NJ and crossed the section of the Atlantic Ocean that would bring us into the Hudson River. The night before we made plans with other Loopers to buddy boat across so we could enter the Hudson River together and take pictures of each other's boats in front of the Statue of Liberty. It was a beautiful day to make the crossing and we were amazed when we were still 30 miles out that we could see the skyline of New York. Jack said that normally you can't see that far but because the earth is round (yes, the earth is round and not flat) and because the buildings are so tall we were able to see the skyscraper of the lower and mid-town Manhattan. 

So finally we passed under the Verrazano Bridge and as we turned into the Hudson River, we had our first glimpse of Lady Liberty. It was amazing. After we dodged ferries, tankers and crazy boaters we managed to get close enough to take each other's pictures in front of the Statue of Liberty.

That evening after docking at Liberty Landing Marina, Jersey City we had dinner with our friends Donna and Gary who are on "L'Attitude Adjustment" who had arrived the day before. We had a dinner at wonderful restaurant at the marina at a table that looks across the river at Manhattan. So during the course of our dinner we were able to watch the sunset and the lights as they come on across the city.

Sunday we took a ferry from our marina across the river to see the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Neither of us had seen it before and we were struck by classic way they tell the story and capture the reality of what happened that day almost 23 years ago. The 2 pools were constructed over the footprints of the two towers and then winding down 70 ft below they built a museum that includes the footings, twisted steel and other structural components of the building that were unique to the construction of the towers. The memorial and museum are a tribute to those who lost their lives and/or struggled to save lives that day. We were also able to see the new World Trade Center 1 and the other towers that have been built around the site since 2001.

Sunday evening we had the special treat of having dinner with my nephew John. He has been living in Jersey City since graduating from graduate school. He is working in the marketing division of BMW USA in northern New Jersey. We had a great dinner catching up. Special treat for me!!

On Monday, we took a ferry from the marina to tour the Ellis Island museum and the Statue of Liberty island and museum. Lots of history to absorb.

Tuesday morning, June 4th, Jack's cousin, good buddy from childhood and his son-in-law, Christian Uber'd down from Sleepy Hollow, NY to our marina to join us on the cruise up the Hudson River. It was a special treat for us because Christian is a member of the Rockefeller family and he was able to point out some of the many buildings, museums and homes that have been built by the family over the generations. When we reached our marina, we then Uber'd with Jack's cousin Jack and Christian to Christian's home in Sleepy Hollow. There we met Erica and Christian's two babies, age 17 and 2 months. What adorable kids. We all then walked to "Kykuit" (means great view in Dutch, I think) the Rockefeller Estate in Sleepy Hollow,  for a walk around the grounds, It is a beautiful estate that is now shared with the public through tours.

Today, Wednesday, we took an Uber across the Bear Mountain Bridge to West Point Military Academy. We had a tour of the grounds but unlike the Naval Academy did not have access to some of the buildings other than the Museum.

Tomorrow we head north to a marina we will stay at for one night before we head to Donavan's Marina in New Baltimore, NY. I am told its "claim to fame" is a weekend long "party and pig roast",  Yes, It is a Looper mandatory stop. Stay tuned!!!!

  














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