4th of July

We got up rather early to begin our Independence Day festivities this morning. Rising before 6 am to get down to Battery Park on the southernmost tip of Manhattan to catch a ferry over to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Probably one of the most patriotic activities we could have done and it was an amazing day.

 After the morning jog trying to catch the subway.

 Lady Liberty herself

 These pink wristbands are near-priceless. These bands allow the wearer to climb up to the Stature of Liberty's crown. Only 240 people per day are allowed. Naturally these become sold out rather quickly. We bought our tickets at the beginning of March but at that time it looked like Dadda and Zach would be able to come and visit, not Johnny and Polin. The website says no name changes for any reason whatsoever. We tried, but to no avail. So we went this morning figuring we would try asking the park rangers figuring the worst they would tell us would be no. So Jonathan and Polin come with Momma and me where we check in with picture ID (which was the hold up to us just handing them the spare tickets) and we ask if there is any way possible to allow others to use Dadda's and Zach's tickets instead. The ranger said pretty much only immediate family is the exception. Cha-ching!!! We were so grateful to the wonderfully nice and patient ranger who allowed us all to climb together.

 The view of the tablet from the crown.

The Collins' at the crown.

 View of the East River from the crown.

 Climbing the very spirally staircase.

 View of Manhattan from the pedestal of the stature.

 Ellis Island is in the foreground with all the trees.

 The Registry Room inside Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Over 12 million immigrants came through this island and this room at the beginning of the 1900's.

 We all got separated. Don't Polin and Johnny look patriotic?

 We went over to Brooklyn for lunch and waited for over an hour for some pizza. Worth every minute of the wait.

 Ground Zero

 NYSE on Wall Street

 The Charging Bull has become a playground.

 Getting ready for the fireworks over the Hudson River.

Seeing a picture of fireworks just don't do them justice but the show was amazing. 26 minutes of six barges full of perfectly timed fireworks was the perfect end to a wonderful July 4, 2011.

:)  :)  :)  :)