Bite of the Big Apple

After completing our job here in Woodstock we decided to go south for the day and explore the Big Apple. First stop was a place that was once the first place people would see when arriving in this country for the first time. Between the years 1894 thru 1924 Ellis Island was the first check point for the numerous immigrants they would know they arrived to the land of Freedom when they would look out and see Lady Liberty standing proud in the harbor.

We walked around the base and were humbled by the sights we witnessed. Off in the distance the New York skyline was impressive. One can only imagine the events of 9/11. Reliving the events in our minds and just imagining the chaos that ensued.

Today, this very location of the World Trade Center is being rebuilt. Hundreds of construction workers are proudly assembling a new building. That one moment brought together everyone in this country for months. Today the city is back to normal in its New York minute pace. Just the occasional tourist stops to take a picture of this big hole in the ground and silently say a prayer to those that lost their lives here.

Being elevated 80 stories in 60 seconds is a rush as your ears pop to protest the change in altitude. Walking out and looking over the city from this vantage point brings you a different prospective of the city. You then start to see how big this city really is. How far the city reaches. How big the buildings really are. How packed in everything is. Down below the small toy cars zoom around as the ant like people scurry about.

We finished our day at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Once the tallest building in the city today it stands as a symbol. With the history enveloped in this church you gaze up at the tall spires and stained glass windows. Across the street is Rockefeller Center. Home to the famous Christmas tree and skating rink in winter and to the Today Show on NBC. The tiny center seems much bigger in the movies and on TV. Surrounded by tall buildings it sits in the shadows with its restaurants and shops surrounding it.

New York City is a great city to explore. One day is not enough time to really visit and get a feel for this city that never sleeps. One day we will return with more time.

(Click on picture below for slideshow)

New York, NY 06-09