A couple of months back we asked Lowe where he would like to go for his birthday. He said, “The Statue of Liberty.” And we had intended to make that happen. Things happen, though, and we missed it by two weeks. Today we finally got to go, and it was pretty much everything and more that our family had hoped for.
Seriously, who could go there and not be inspired? I always hear people say things like, “It’s smaller than you’d think,” but we didn’t find that to be true, and even if it was, who cares? I could think of nothing else but what it must have felt like 100 years ago, to sail into this foreign land after years of hard living and weeks of horrendous conditions, and to see the Statue of Liberty standing tall, and proud, and welcoming. The amazing relief there must have been in knowing that things weren’t necessarily going to be any easier, but that at the end there was at least a chance that they might be better.
Today was an amazing day of “school” for our kids. One of the lessons we’ve been able to pound into our kids’ heads over the years is just how incredibly fortunate we are. To be born where we are, or to be born with a certain piece of paper that allows us all the freedom and opportunities that the world provides. It’s a gift that we don’t let go unnoticed. Today was just another chance to show that to them, different from many of the other chances we have to show them, but no less powerful. It means a lot to us to see that lesson sink into their consciousness at such a young age—for them to already understand how many others there are who are less fortunate, and who have to work harder and endure conditions that we will never have to face, simply because of where we were born.
Anyway, today was our favorite day in New York, so far, and a day that will be tough to beat.
26 Comments on “Statue of Liberty”
Beautiful pictures of all of you. Not to mention the cities beauty. I’m so jealous one day just one day, we will go too. I can’t wait!
So glad you folks are having a good time.
(Bum’s doin’ fine)
Where do you guys stay, Jersey?
Any interest in Katz’s or Carnegie Deli ? Gotta love pastrami and corned beef 🙂 In 1968 those slices were a quarter.
Sounds like a great day of lessons!
You guys need to head South soon — I think this is the whitest I’ve ever seen the Bums, and we’re talking 12 years or so!! 😀
Small? Not at all… I grew up in NY. Was able to actually climb to the crown back in the day. One of the last tours to do so. Then sail beside her on our home built catamaran a few years back . She is Awesome ! Bigger than life.. Glad to see you all enjoyed. A must visit in life.
Sorry not crown. Been in the crown lots. TORCH!
Crown.. .torch damaged way b4 our time…
Seriously I almost cried when I read your post. I have been telling my kids the same thing for years. You can call it luck, being blessed, or whatever, but being born in a country that gives you all this freedom, is like winning the lottery. I thank God every day that I wasn’t born in the middle of some war, or genocide, and that my children have the same freedom. I think the statue of liberty, and Ellis island were the best part of my visit too. My daughter was really impressed with it all.
What a great day of school! We loved our visit to NYC!
Great story Pat. Can’t wait to take my 2 children there.
Your kids were born in Mexico. I chuckled a little.
But then, being born in MX in the 21st century ain’t so bad in the grand scheme of things, even if you don’t have USA parents.
I wondered about this too. Do Ouest and Lowe have dual citizenship?
They sure do.
A beautiful city shown off in your excellent pictures. I was ten years old when I visited New York City in 1965. Have never been back but I would love to see the place again sometime. If not just for the neighbourhoods and food…
GR8 photos! “Thank ALL of Y’all”! I REALLY like the way y’all are raising your children. I appreciate all of y’all’s adventures; and sharing them via cyberspace.
i think we went to that pizza place, great pics as usual.
Your pictures of The Lady are more beautiful than any others I have ever seen. Your writing about “… what it must have felt like 100 years ago, to sail into this foreign land …” and “…how incredibly fortunate we are. To be born where we are …” are eloquent and moving. Thank you so much for sharing.
The one picture that blew my mind was the cops on something other than a Harley! Pocket rockets! For cripes sake!
Give me a forest or ocean any day. I’ve been to NYC once – I couldn’t wait to leave and have no plans to ever return. Being in a desert of concrete was too much. I need greenness. I must be in the minority, based on the comments left after your last two posts…
I think most of us can enjoy a wide range of environments. You like forest or ocean, I prefer desert or ocean. I feel too closed in in a forest. But I can enjoy them for a while, just like I can New York.
I see you are using an ARB refrigerator. I didn’t notice any discussion of protection to the vehicle’s main battery/charging system to avoid running down the battery, i.e., extra battery capacity or portable solar panels for aux power?
Randy,
The ARB refrigerator has built-in vehicle battery protection. From the ARB specifications:
“Continues to actively cool contents while the vehicle is off, and features an adjustable automatic battery protection system that prevents vehicle battery run-down
That would make me nervous in remote areas!
We thought about getting a flexible solar panel, but decided to wait and see if it’s something we really want/need/have room for. In the meantime, the fridge doesn’t draw much power, and our battery will run it for about two days. We’re not boondocking long-term at this point so I just maintain the battery voltage myself, and charge us up with the alternator. Believe me, after all these years of living off of battery power, I’m well versed and know what I use and what I need.
Always love your photos. These are spectacular, as always. And I’m getting a charge out of your profile picture when replying to comments.
“Till the one day when the lady met this fellow.
And they knew that it was much more than a hunch,
That this group must somehow travel as a family,
That’s the way we all became the Bumfuzzle bunch.”
Hmmm, perhaps a new theme song for the blog?