Statue of Liberty visit

Arriving Saturday at the Statue of Liberty the weather looked like this; cloudy and cool, with occasional sprinkles.

To get into the Statue we had to go through 2 different check points. The first one we just had to show our tickets and check most of our belongings in a locker. The second one was the most secure as we each had to stand in a machine that blew big puffs of air on us, up and down our bodies, to check for bombs or explosives. Woman were trying to hold their shirts down since it was sort of like a peep show from the puffs being so strong! lol! They also x-rayed everything we had … belts, jackets, jewelry, cameras …. just like at the airports.

And if you don’t get a Monument Pass (which you better do if you’re visiting!) at least 2 days in advance they won’t let you in. I saw one couple turned away and it broke my heart. To come all that way to the island and not be able to see the Statue up close . . . but don’t argue because security and the guys with machine guns aren’t going to change their minds.

One of the first things we saw as we entered the museum (which you had to go through to get to the monument) was the original torch. It kind of looks like a tea pot to me! Notice the door on the right side of the torch.

A replica of the Lady’s face. She looks like one tough lady to me!

The girls found this part to be extremely boring. Maybe I’m just getting old but I would have enjoyed browsing a little more in the museum.

Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m afraid of heights so I couldn’t make the trip to the top of the platform. If the stairs inside had been enclosed I could have done it, but they weren’t, and I freaked out half way up. Such a wimp!

My husband and the girls peeked over the edge at me. Even Brent said it made him a little nervous being up there. This is the highest they’ll let anyone go, the rest of the way up inside the statue is a spiral staircase though, in case you were wondering. The Statue itself has been closed since 9/11/01.

* Shortly after publishing this post the statue was reopened to visitors

As I stood outside on the platform, the sky started to clear, the sun came out, and it warmed up nicely! Ahhhh . . .

Looking back on the city we had just come from, I couldn’t help but reflect on 9/11. Seeing the smoke, ash, and debris that engulfed NYC that awful day almost 8 years ago was so dramatic and sad.

A beautiful Spring sky to save the day

Brooklyn Bridge

Thank you stranger lady for taking this picture for us!

How could I resist a shot of a seagull? He’s glaring at me and all the rest of the tourists wondering where the food is!

Looking up at the little people on the platform just below the Lady’s shackled feet, yet for some reason when we arrived the Lady looked smaller than I thought she would.

My husband and I had hoped to get off the boat at Ellis Island next, but it was not to be. We had two girls who were a little grumpy and wanted nothing more then to go shopping in Soho. Shopping it was.

Have you visited the Statue of Liberty? I’d love to hear about your visit!