We
stopped overnight just 100 kms north of NY. Although we were booked into the
Quality Inn they had totally stuffed up the booking (only one room booked and
then they had cancelled it) and were unable to find an alternative. Their
manager was not prepared to come and see us – definitely quality in name only
and to be avoided at all costs in future. Fortunately Helen found an inn with
beds so we did not have to fall back on the stables.
In
the morning we walked half way across the Walkway over the Hudson at
Poughkeepsie (a converted railway bridge). Spectacular views. In the afternoon
we moved onto the Cloisters which is just North of NY. It is an American museum
constructed in a medieval style. Inside there are numerous items from European
churches mainly from the Mediterranean. It is well laid out with some 6
chapels and refreshingly uncluttered – enough to see without being overwhelmed.
My
first job in NY was to find a repair shop to resuscitate my camera. The
assistant pleasantly advised that it was too old to make repair worthwhile and
sent me to an enormous camera shop called B&H. They have everything from
$20,000 lenses through to 3D printers – I (and certainly Robin who kept going
back) could have spent all 3 of our NY days at the store.
By
way of compromise we were tempted to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum.
We
spent the first hour working our way around the aircraft carrier Intrepid. It is
huge (unless of course you are trying to land an airplane).
She
was built for WWII and has seen service ever since (including being the HQ
for the investigation of the Twin Towers disaster). The wheelhouse was
behind the bridge which meant steering occurred using dials and instructions as the view
was minimal. The reasoning was that having a cabin within
a cabin was safer.
The
decks are decorated with many planes including the sleek Mach 3 Lockheed A 12
Blackbird built in 1962 to gather intelligence.
And
of course (our!) very own Harrier jump jet with its four small jets in the
nose, tail and wing tips. It surprised me that it flew first as long ago as
1967 (where does the time go?)
On
the quay was Concord which we passed up on due to time constraints. Pam and
Robin did go and were very impressed.
At
the rear of the deck was a large tent housing Enterprise. She was the first of
6 shuttles designed to test take off and landing. She never went into space and
was the only shuttle not to have her own engines but did fly on the back of a
Jumbo to test glide landing. She was to be named Orbiter but numerous Star trek
fans wrote in and demonstrated which resulted in the revised name.
Enterprise
was huge especially compared to the re-entry module of the Russian Soyuz
spacecraft.
Our
last visit was to Growler which, in 1958 when she was built was one of the first diesel
electric submarines to carry nuclear warheads. She has two bulbous growths on
top of her nose to accommodate the missiles.
She
was also armed with conventional torpedoes.
However,
the control room was much as you see in many WWII movies with no electronics –
but was a little upmarket with 2 periscopes (one panoramic for navigation and
observation and another more powerful rangefinding for attack)
After
an exhausting day we decided a more leisurely boat trip was warranted on our
second day (preceded of course to the compulsory visit to B&H). We took a 3 hour round
long island trip on the circular ferry.
No
surprises for the first shot – the new replacement tower (1) dominates the
skyline.
And
the second needs no introduction….
The
trip did include areas we had not previously seen (again no explanation needed)…
We
went under all but 1 of 18 bridges and travelled along 4 rivers (Hudson, East, Bronx
and Harlem). Many of the Bridges along the Harlem were huge swing or lift
bridges. The most Northern was a swing bridge and we had to wait 10 minutes or
so for a train to cross (the bridge is operated by Amtrak) before it could be
opened for us.
An
essential visit was the 9/11 memorial. Although we had seen the pools during
our last visit the museum had not been completed. It is huge and built under
the pools. It includes elements from the original towers including the in-ground
walling system,
Small
elements of the structural steel – this section was from the North Tower at the
point of impact of UA 175.
And
this one of the elevator motors (it is not known which one)
At
the suggestion of a number of family members the box columns and other
foundation elements form a significant part of the museum. The steelwork was
supported on an enormous grillage system.
The
space is huge and includes modern day artwork. The tiles here represent the
many hues of blue that the artist saw in the sky that day.
To
continue the sowing theme of this trip there was a patchwork panorama. Quite
moving.
Certainly
worth the trip and a must see if you are ever in NY. The new Tower 1 seems to
merge into the sky underscoring the appropriateness of the term skyscraper.
When
we surfaced from the museum night had fallen and (given the ability of my new
camera) I had a go at a video.
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