Trip to Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty

Our trip started on a bright sunny day,

and as we happily boarded our luxury bus we all were full of excitement to see these historic places.
Then, without prior planning, as we were about to depart, the driver noticed a small fuel leak from the tank overflow. After a quick inspection, in which our driver was sprayed with diesel fuel, we had a larger leak and the police, fire company and EMTs were called and we got to witness a hazardous spill clean up.( Note the beginning of the evidence of the spill in the photo above.)

But,  our intrepid leader and organizer, Bill Brown, was in control and we departed quickly and were soon on our way. The driver made up most of the time and we arrived at Liberty Park, just a few minute after our planned arrive time. Liberty Park is on the site of the former Central NJ Railway Terminal. What an added bonus...

We pass a memorial and a had a first view of Manhattan and the river. The clouds and mist added a eire look to our surroundings. It did keep the sunburns away.

The inside of the terminal Gave us a taste of the terminal's past

We walked as fast as we could, but missed the departure of the planned ferry. So we had some time to go through the security checks and get some pictures of the views surrounding us. We could see Ellis Island and the Statue off in the mist. And we could see the lower parts of the buildings in Manhattan. When the clouds shifted we could get a glimpse of the top of the World Trade Tower.

In a short while the ferry returned and we were boarding to our trip to Ellis Island.

We were off to our first stop, Ellis Island!!!

We were free to explore where people came ashore, the processing halls and the areas to search for family members who came through Ellis Island. Then it was on to the Statue of Liberty.

Our visits to both islands gave a taste for what is there and the desire to come back and take a day to visit each. Great trip, Bill.

From there we went back to the bus for our trip to the Town and Country for our meal and then home.

The meals were wonderful and plentiful. everyone left with a second meal.

 Dessert was a real treat....

Thanks again, Bill Brown for putting this together.