The Johnson Family: 2009

This is the Winter Garden Atrium inside the World Financial Center. It is hard to tell from this picture, but the pavilion is actually ten stories tall! Although this building suffered substantial damage in the 9/11 attacks, it was quickly rebuilt and completed in 2002.

Not far from from the World Financial Center we discovered a make-shift 9/11 memorial on the "Ten-House" as it is called, FDNY Ladder Company Ten and FDNY Engine Company Ten. This fire station is directly across from where the twin towers once stood. Beside these postcards, pictures, and notes, there is a 56-foot bronze sculpture, known as the "FDNY Memorial Wall." It is dedicated to "The City's Bravest," as the plaque shows.

The inscription reads, "Dedicated to those who fell and to those who carry on..."

"...may we never forget." It was really powerful to be there. Strangely, I didn't realize when we were planning our trip that the Twin Towers site is simply an active construction site. It was just a huge hole in the ground. There were tons of construction workers operating heavy-duty machinery all over the place. I believe that I was somewhat disappointed by this. I suppose I had wanted a chance to re-live the events of that infamous day in the very place where it happened. Although there was a temporary "museum" they called it, we were not able to go because we just did not have the time. I hope to be able to go back someday when the construction process is complete, and there is a permanent memorial.

We had the pleasure of walking just about everywhere we needed to go. (Of course, did take the subway and the train a few times). It was a great way to see the city; to really get a sense of the people, the culture, just the overall "feel" or heartbeat of NYC. I couldn't resist taking this picture - I hope that it conveys a) just how tall the skyscrapers are b) how every building is a skyscraper c) how compact and crowded everything is and d) how really small you feel being among such massive buildings and so many people.

One aspect of New York that we noticed immediately was that outside of a few parks, most notably Central Park, there are no trees. Anywhere. Now, it isn't exactly like Phoenix is a forest, so I can't imagine how someone who is from a more lush climate would react to such a change in scenery...There is nothing of nature to put a dent in such a skyline. I really missed the green - which is why I think the city has made an effort to add a bit of green. There were flowers everywhere. On nearly every street, there were gigantic planters with beautiful blooming flowers. It was really nice to see that.

This is Trinity Church, an Episcopal church founded in 1697. It was fascinating to see how well so many historic churches have been preserved. Dwarfed by huge skyscrapers on all sides, it is an interesting contrast.

Flowering trees in the cemetery of Trinity Church.

Another massive and beautifully preserved church. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of it. Hmm? Any guesses?

While in the financial district, we of course had to check out the New York Stock Exchange.

This is the ghosty side entrance. Notice the two armed police officers guarding the entrance. They checked every single person identification (I'm guessing) before they went in. (Notice in the other picture that there is a fence in front of the building and the subway stop that used to drop you right off in front of the building is not operational. There were a ton of police officers guarding the building. I'm thinking it is most likely for the protection of those who spend their days there. I think people are a bit sore about the whole Wall-street financial bailout thing...I must say though, I was proud of my photography skills for getting the "Wall St." sign in my picture. :)

What would a trip to the financial district be without a stop at the famous bull?

Or should I say, the bull's bottom? Seriously honey? He said it was because he's, "fifteen and holding." I say it's because it's not a bull market anyway. Or if it is, we are not anywhere near the head.

I convinced him to scoot up a little bit. As you can see behind him - he inspired another to take a classic picture. Lovely.

We also stopped at Federal Hall, which is practically across the street from the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan. It was the first capitol of the newly-formed United States of America...

...and where the Bill of Rights was passed...

...and the site of George Washington's inauguration. This is the stone that he actually stood upon. The bronze statue of outside of the building is George Washington. Inside the building is a museum, with free admission! We were able to see an incredible traveling exhibit of Abraham Lincoln. It was amazing. It chronicled is early life, political career, presidency and assassination. We loved it.

Bowling Green Park in Lower Manhattan.

My little lovebug.

We took a break at the park to rest our feet, eat a snack and kill a little time before we needed to head over to Battery Park to take the ferry over to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty!

This is the "Great Hall" I think they called it...This is where all of the immigrants came initially after de-boarding. Can't you just imagine this place teeming with people from the 19th century? Maybe not. I can. :)

Does this picture help? I loved this luggage display. Imagine moving across the world with only what you could carry in a few small trunks.

Outside of the "Great Hall." Why don't federal buildings look like this anymore?

This is in front of the hospital that was used to temporarily house sick immigrants. They were held here to see if they could get well prior to entering the United States. If not, they were sent home. (Which, we learned that although the stories of immigrants being turned away are rather popular, in actuality, this happened less than 1% of the time. Almost every person who arrived at Ellis Island was eventually permitted to enter the United States).

We also learned that this hospital was HUGE! It had over 700 beds! Just to give you an idea, Banner Desert Medical Center has 549 beds - and that is a big hospital.

There she is! It was so incredible to see the Statue of Liberty in real life. She is such an icon in America culture, politics, etc. I do believe she has the most recognizeable faces in America. :)

To me, the Statue of Liberty represents the value that Americans hold most dear - freedom. Freedom from tyranny. Freedom from oppression. Freedom from poverty. Freedom from hate. Freedom from hate. Freedom from government. Freedom to seek the American dream.

NYC skyline from Liberty Island. Factoid: The distance from the Statue of Liberty to Central Park is approximately 6 miles.

I still get the impression that the weight of the buildings are just going to push Manhattan island right into the ocean at any moment when I look at pictures like this. Illogical, I know...

The public is no longer permitted to enter the body of the Statue of Liberty (prior to 9/11, you could - see the stairs spiralling upward?) Now, you can just enter the base and take pictures of her internal framework. Darn. Oh well, I don't really like heights anyway.

Inside the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island - a life-size replica of her toes. Those are some big does, my dear.

And a big nose...

I think Lady Liberty's expression is very interesting. First, I don't think it looks very feminine, but not necessarily masculine either. I think it is the look of resolve.

This is the original torch - it is now inside the musuem. It was removed in 1986 because all of the little pieces of glass were not water-tight, which allowed rainwater and condensation to leak into Liberty's arm and body - causing damage. Her torch is no longer made of glass.

A view of New York from Liberty Island.

The view of the Statue of Liberty from the Ferry. It was so interesting to think about how many millions of people saw this very same image greeting them as they came to America, hoping for a better life. Okay, and we can't think about this image without recalling the poem that is on the interior of the pedestal...

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

If that doesn't give you goosebumps, you might want to check your pulse.

That evening, we went by Rockefeller Center. I must say, I wasn't overly impressed. It is really just a plaza, a gathering place.

Tim insisted that we document this golden man.

I do know one thing - that my feller-rocks!

We ended the day at Times Square. We just couldn't believe how many lights there were. In my opinion, it was way more intense than Las Vegas.

We had to take a picture of the "em-ins" as Hannah calls them. She would have gone crazy if she had seen four gigantic M&Ms; truly a dream come true.

Don't worry, I didn't actually enter the above establishment. Of course not, as I firmly believe that most menu items are actually not fit for human consumption. But, I would venture to say that this is the coolest McDonald's I have ever seen.