Scenic New Jersey

First, let me say that I started this entry twice yesterday, but the inferior quality of the wi-fi/3GH service at Ellis Island made me lose them both. Our immigrant ancestors had to put up with so much.

The easiest place to find in new Jersey has got to be Liberty State Park. There are signs for it up and down the Turnpike, and I've been there several times before. But of course yesterday I missed the exit and didn't even realize it for awhile -- Wait - wasn't it supposed to be before the airport? -- and then it took me about an hour of re-navigation just to get back to where I should have been in the first place. Fortunately for me, I have a compulsively early problem, so although I missed the tour I wanted to take, I wasn't late for the workshop I was going to.

First, the ferry.



It seems that I am not so much designed to walk around on a boat. And yes, it was an overcast day, but it never really rained, although there was a howling wind off and on all day.

Much of the Ellis Island buildings have been renovated in recent years, certainly a great deal since I was last there, maybe twenty years ago.


As soon as I entered the building, I couldn't help but feel that this little guy was there with me, walking through the halls and peering over the balconies as he did 104 years ago. He was much on my mind all day.

Before the workshop started, I had time to see some of the exhibits on the main floor. This flag/photo display was really neat. As you moved, the picture changed.






This display of luggage reminded me of my grandmother.


And then I found this picture of her in the gift shop!


(Yes, it's me, of course. Digital photography gives those old-timey picture places a whole new slant. I didn't have to do anything but have my picture taken, and it was digitally mixed with my selected old picture out of hundreds available. Cool.)

And I had a few minutes to use the ladies room, where there were only two stall for a very crowded with tourists Saturday. Again, life was not easy for our immigrant ancestors.


Lunch was supplied for us by the workshop, and served on the balcony overlooking the great hall. Again, the spirit of my little boy Grampa was right there with me, especially when I saw the display of what it had looked like in his day.




After the workshop, R and I walked around a bit, and went outside to see the wall, where people have had the names of their immigrant ancestors engraved in tribute.


I know that the FIL's grandfather's name is here somewhere, and, sucker than I am, I couldn't leave without leaving a bit of Grampa there as well. I debated over how to do it (and how much it cost) and ultimately left a one-line tribute to him and his older brother: Joe and Sam Robin, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Waiting for the ferry back to New Jersey (even though Ellis Island is in New Jersey - don't get me started), I snapped this of my firstborn and me, windblown.


It was a really nice day, and I finally got this done, and now I'm off to R's for a bridesmaid/moms meeting.