Gettysburg and New York
With the boat secure in Baltimore, and hurricane Dorian now tracking well east (good thing we got out of Norfolk), we felt comfortable leaving for our weekend away. First though, Friends from NY area, Dan and Lori McConvey came to Baltimore to see the boat, and we enjoyed dinner with them at an Italian place in the historic district.
Friday morning we departed with them, headed for NY, but Dan had suggested we stop in Gettysburg on the way, which we were all in for. I recall explaining to people why we wanted to do this east coast trip, and I used Gettysburg as an example of places to visit just a short distance inland from the coast.
The Gettysburg site is huge, with memorials to likely every brigade,and at least from every state, that fought in the battle. Over 3 days in July of 1863, a decisive battle was fought here that is considered to have turned the tide of the civil war. A visit starts at the visitor centre with a good introductory film, and then into a Cyclorama which is a 377 foot around by 40 feet high 360 degree diorama painting of the key charge of the battle. This painting was done in the late 1800's by a French artist when these were popular, described as the IMAX of its time. Very realistic view of the landscape.
Then a two hour bus ride tour of the historic site, with an excellent guide providing interpretation and a number of stops. Well worth visiting if you are anywhere even remotely in the area.
Dan dropped us at the train station on the NJ side and We arrived in NY fairly late after a long, but very enjoyable day.
I have been in NY literally scores of times for work reasons, but had never had much time to do the tourist things. Saturday, we did the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour. Perfect day for a visit, with clear skies, moderate temp, and light winds. We climbed to the pedestal level to see the view, which is about 168 steps, but didn't do the crown climb. Wonderful view around NY harbour. Did make me regret a bit not sailing in NY harbour on our own boat, and past the Statue.
The next stop was Ellis Island, which was the immigration Centre from 1890 to the 1950's. About 6 million people, largely steerage passengers, were cleared thru here over its lifetime. Cabin class immigrants would have been pre-cleared on their ship and off to their new life when the ship reached the port. Steerage passengers were ferried over here for the health and security assessments. Very well developed historical site with lots of audio guide interpretive stops to bring to life the experience immigrants would have gone thru.
We were tired from lots of walking of course, so enjoyed a rest back at the hotel before dinner nearby.
Sunday was culture day. Metropolitan museum for the day, a walk thru Central Park, and a musical "Beautiful, the Carole King story", for the evening. The Met is awesome of course, more there than one can hope to see in one day. Started with a guided tour for an hour to get an orientation, then explored some highlights on our own over the afternoon.
The show was fantastic, great music, and possibly the quickest 2.5 hours ever experienced. And on the way home, we stopped at Sean's bar, where Dan McConvey surprised us by meeting us for a beer.
Monday took the train back to the boat, and provisioned to start our trip south.
Enjoyed a last dinner in Baltimore with the best crab cakes we have ever had. And being Monday night, it was "buck a shuck" on oysters so enjoyed those as well.
Our next stop planned is Annapolis, where friends Ian and Leslie Kilgour will join us for a few days on the trip south.
Friday morning we departed with them, headed for NY, but Dan had suggested we stop in Gettysburg on the way, which we were all in for. I recall explaining to people why we wanted to do this east coast trip, and I used Gettysburg as an example of places to visit just a short distance inland from the coast.
The Gettysburg site is huge, with memorials to likely every brigade,and at least from every state, that fought in the battle. Over 3 days in July of 1863, a decisive battle was fought here that is considered to have turned the tide of the civil war. A visit starts at the visitor centre with a good introductory film, and then into a Cyclorama which is a 377 foot around by 40 feet high 360 degree diorama painting of the key charge of the battle. This painting was done in the late 1800's by a French artist when these were popular, described as the IMAX of its time. Very realistic view of the landscape.Then a two hour bus ride tour of the historic site, with an excellent guide providing interpretation and a number of stops. Well worth visiting if you are anywhere even remotely in the area.
Dan dropped us at the train station on the NJ side and We arrived in NY fairly late after a long, but very enjoyable day.
I have been in NY literally scores of times for work reasons, but had never had much time to do the tourist things. Saturday, we did the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour. Perfect day for a visit, with clear skies, moderate temp, and light winds. We climbed to the pedestal level to see the view, which is about 168 steps, but didn't do the crown climb. Wonderful view around NY harbour. Did make me regret a bit not sailing in NY harbour on our own boat, and past the Statue.
The next stop was Ellis Island, which was the immigration Centre from 1890 to the 1950's. About 6 million people, largely steerage passengers, were cleared thru here over its lifetime. Cabin class immigrants would have been pre-cleared on their ship and off to their new life when the ship reached the port. Steerage passengers were ferried over here for the health and security assessments. Very well developed historical site with lots of audio guide interpretive stops to bring to life the experience immigrants would have gone thru.We were tired from lots of walking of course, so enjoyed a rest back at the hotel before dinner nearby.
Sunday was culture day. Metropolitan museum for the day, a walk thru Central Park, and a musical "Beautiful, the Carole King story", for the evening. The Met is awesome of course, more there than one can hope to see in one day. Started with a guided tour for an hour to get an orientation, then explored some highlights on our own over the afternoon.
The show was fantastic, great music, and possibly the quickest 2.5 hours ever experienced. And on the way home, we stopped at Sean's bar, where Dan McConvey surprised us by meeting us for a beer.Monday took the train back to the boat, and provisioned to start our trip south.
Enjoyed a last dinner in Baltimore with the best crab cakes we have ever had. And being Monday night, it was "buck a shuck" on oysters so enjoyed those as well.
Our next stop planned is Annapolis, where friends Ian and Leslie Kilgour will join us for a few days on the trip south.
Lori and I really enjoyed are day with Judy and you Greg. This a great summary of Gettysburg. I am told but someone who visited the Statue after you that you still need an advance pass it go up the statue so you may have gone as far as you could of. Looking forward to getting to the Met one day. Problem is we live here. To easy!
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