Trains, Ferries, Automobiles, Subways
Let me start this blog with a note. If you are a subscriber to our blog and get it via email each morning, you may notice some of the blogs have missing pieces. When we put a video into the narrative, it doesn't necessarily show up in the email. To see the video (i.e., the New York and New Jersey fireworks) go to the blog page at shoalsailer32.blogspot.com.
How many ways can you get around New York? Let me count the ways we've been using - ferries, subways, trains, and automobiles. We have been riding ferries across the Hudson River from our marina to various places in Manhattan. The Liberty Landing Ferry goes to Warren Street in Jersey City (just across the canal from the marina,) then on to the World Financial Center and Brookside Place. The Paulus Hook ferry goes to 42nd Street.
Then there's the subways. Not only is there the New York subway system, there's the New Jersey subway system that goes into New York (called PATH). We've ridden the PATH subway from 33rd Street (Manhattan Mall) to Grove St. in Jersey City (or the other way around) many times because it is the only way to get back to the marina at night after a show. From Grove Street it is a short Lyft ride around to the marina.
And then there's Lyft and Uber and the ever-present taxis to take you wherever you want to go in Manhattan.
But, on the 5th of July, we got to experience the train system. Our transportation for the day included a ferry ride to the Financial Center, walking to Fulton Street, and then taking the subway to Grand Central Station.
Grand Central Station - what can I say, it is awesome! And somehow in all of the confusion of the comings and goings of throngs of people meeting and leaving trains, we managed to find Lee's cousins.
Betsey and her husband Doug live up the Hudson River Valley a piece. Betsey works in the fashion district and commutes 2 hours each way into the City.
Another cousin, Nathan, and his wife Lisa live in New Hampshire. But, they made a couple day trip to visit Betsey for her birthday and it coordinated with our time in NYC. So we had the opportunity to catch up with all of them. It was wonderful that they would all make the commute just to visit with us. It has been many years since the last time Lee saw them all and Marvin has never met Betsey and Doug.
We had the added delight of meeting Betsey's daughter Ava who works in a publishing house located near Grand Central Station. She popped in for a quick "hi" to meet all of us.
Betsey showed Lee how to go about buying train tickets to the New York Botanical Garden station. And, with the help of a "local" (Betsey) we all boarded the north bound train. We had such a delightful conversation along the train ride.
Our visit to the Botanical Garden was superb. We had a wonderful lunch in the Garden's restaurant. Then we set out walking toward the tram stop. Along the way, all of Faye Allison's grandchildren and their respective spouses oohed and aahed at the hydrangeas, day lilies, and other beautiful flower beds. Grandma's green thumb and love of gardening has certainly been passed along to all of us. We also saw a Georgia O'Keefe exhibit of paintings she made on a trip to Hawaii.
We enjoyed seeing the influence that one of our acquaintances has had on the Garden. A dozen years ago, we worked for Shelby White to develop a concept plan for a botanical garden on Eleuthera focusing on ethnobotany of The Bahamas. More recently, we prepared a comprehensive concept plan in an effort to save Lighthouse Point for a BNT National Park also on Eleuthera.
(please sign the petition: http://savelighthousepoint.com)
Mrs. White and her late husband, Leon Levy, have contributed much to the New York Botanical Garden. We were inspired by her generosity and became members of the NYBG (again).
Although the day started out cloudy and looking like rain, it cleared off to become a hot and humid day. At the end of the day, we all sat in the shade of trees, drinking some cool water, and bringing our visit to a close. Betsey pointed out the way for us to get the train back to Grand Central while they all went on back north on a different train. From Grand Central we walked to the PATH station at 33rd to take the subway to Grove St. We ate dinner on Grove Square and took a Lyft back to the marina.
It was a great day experiencing the natural beauty around us. But, the best part of the day was the visit with family.
How many ways can you get around New York? Let me count the ways we've been using - ferries, subways, trains, and automobiles. We have been riding ferries across the Hudson River from our marina to various places in Manhattan. The Liberty Landing Ferry goes to Warren Street in Jersey City (just across the canal from the marina,) then on to the World Financial Center and Brookside Place. The Paulus Hook ferry goes to 42nd Street.
Then there's the subways. Not only is there the New York subway system, there's the New Jersey subway system that goes into New York (called PATH). We've ridden the PATH subway from 33rd Street (Manhattan Mall) to Grove St. in Jersey City (or the other way around) many times because it is the only way to get back to the marina at night after a show. From Grove Street it is a short Lyft ride around to the marina.
And then there's Lyft and Uber and the ever-present taxis to take you wherever you want to go in Manhattan.
 |
| Lee looking for birds at Grand Central |
Grand Central Station - what can I say, it is awesome! And somehow in all of the confusion of the comings and goings of throngs of people meeting and leaving trains, we managed to find Lee's cousins.
Betsey and her husband Doug live up the Hudson River Valley a piece. Betsey works in the fashion district and commutes 2 hours each way into the City.
Another cousin, Nathan, and his wife Lisa live in New Hampshire. But, they made a couple day trip to visit Betsey for her birthday and it coordinated with our time in NYC. So we had the opportunity to catch up with all of them. It was wonderful that they would all make the commute just to visit with us. It has been many years since the last time Lee saw them all and Marvin has never met Betsey and Doug.
 |
| Lee, Betsey, Ava, Marvin, Lisa, and Doug (Nate behind the lens) |
Betsey showed Lee how to go about buying train tickets to the New York Botanical Garden station. And, with the help of a "local" (Betsey) we all boarded the north bound train. We had such a delightful conversation along the train ride.
Our visit to the Botanical Garden was superb. We had a wonderful lunch in the Garden's restaurant. Then we set out walking toward the tram stop. Along the way, all of Faye Allison's grandchildren and their respective spouses oohed and aahed at the hydrangeas, day lilies, and other beautiful flower beds. Grandma's green thumb and love of gardening has certainly been passed along to all of us. We also saw a Georgia O'Keefe exhibit of paintings she made on a trip to Hawaii.
We enjoyed seeing the influence that one of our acquaintances has had on the Garden. A dozen years ago, we worked for Shelby White to develop a concept plan for a botanical garden on Eleuthera focusing on ethnobotany of The Bahamas. More recently, we prepared a comprehensive concept plan in an effort to save Lighthouse Point for a BNT National Park also on Eleuthera. (please sign the petition: http://savelighthousepoint.com)
Mrs. White and her late husband, Leon Levy, have contributed much to the New York Botanical Garden. We were inspired by her generosity and became members of the NYBG (again).
Although the day started out cloudy and looking like rain, it cleared off to become a hot and humid day. At the end of the day, we all sat in the shade of trees, drinking some cool water, and bringing our visit to a close. Betsey pointed out the way for us to get the train back to Grand Central while they all went on back north on a different train. From Grand Central we walked to the PATH station at 33rd to take the subway to Grove St. We ate dinner on Grove Square and took a Lyft back to the marina.
It was a great day experiencing the natural beauty around us. But, the best part of the day was the visit with family.
Sounds perfect! I love Grand Central and its perpetual swarm of activity under the domed sky ceiling. And those ticket windows!!! Buying a train ticket was never such an elevating experience as inGCT. It’s the real thing.
ReplyDeleteWe visited the NYBG a few years ago, what a beautiful gem. So grateful it was preserved from urbanization. Faye Allison would be so pleased that you were all together. 💗🌸