The Big Apple

Day 90
Friday, June 17th
Last night we flew into Newark New Jersey, and this morning we took the ferry to go see Lady Liberty. This is the line for the ferry, the 'Jersey Lady'. It was one of the smartest things we did, taking the ferry from the Jersey side...the lines were short and the ferry not as crowded.

The morning was beautiful, just a little overcast from time to time.

First, we saw Ellis Island, and then the Statue of Liberty.

Beautiful! We walked up 156 steps to the pedestal. So glad we did!

Afterwards, our driver George brought us to our hotel, the Marriott Courtyard, very close to Times Square. That's when the weather changed! We experienced one of the biggest and loudest thunderstorms ever...

...the thunderclaps would echo through the tall buildings and magnify the sound. It was quite the display. We had lunch at Ben's Deli where we had the best pastrami sandwiches and pickles that Dave could not resist!

Here we are at the top of the Rock with our traveling friends, Dawn and Brent Taylor and Sharon and Bob Dalley. The weather cleared for a short time, so that we were allowed up!

We then went to see St. Patrick's Cathedral.

It was ornately beautiful and a quiet refuge in a noisy city.

For dinner we had authentic New York pizza and then went to see Wicked! It was amazing! What a magical way to end an almost perfect first day, my very first time in New York City!