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Last Monday, on a beautiful day in New York City, I finally got to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time in my life. I have always wanted to be able to see it especially after teaching my 2nd graders about it for all those years!
She is taller than I imagined at 151 feet!
In this closeup photo, you can see how beautiful the clear blue sky was that day...not a cloud anywhere to be seen! It was a little chilly, but the sun and clear skies made for a wonderful day!
I wasn't really prepared for my reaction to seeing the statue for the first time! I really became a little teary eyed looking at it and thinking about this symbol of freedom and liberty and what it means to all Americans, and what it must have meant to the immigrants who saw it for the first time.
It struck me as ironic that I saw the replica of the Statue of Liberty in Paris several years ago and am just now seeing the real thing! I wish every American could visit Liberty Island and see the Statue of Liberty for themselves!
I remember in 1986 teaching a unit on the Statue of Liberty and the celebration held for her 100th birthday. We subscribed to Weekly Reader, and we had access to a package of materials about the birthday celebration.
She was unveiled on October 1886. Here's a picture of a poster on Liberty Island near the statue.
As we were on the ferry between Manhattan and Liberty Island, I took this photo of Manhattan. My sister and I discussed 911, and of course we wondered how the tourists that were in New York that day visiting the Statue of Liberty must have felt as they watched the horror of the World Trade Center destruction unfold!
Have you seen it? I would love to hear your reaction!
Thanks for stopping by today, and please visit Sally at Smiling Sally for more Blue Monday posts.
Diane
3 hours ago
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38 comments:
Beautiful photos Diane!
Happy Blue Monday and Happy President's Day!
Susan
Isn't she pretty!
-sandy toe
I hope one day I'll get to see her too!!
What a beautiful site! Thanks for sharing your NY pictures!
I've seen THE replica in Paris, France, and I've seen several other replicas throughout France. However, I've only seen America's statue from a distance while visiting NYC. I can understand how you got teary-eyed. Thanks for sharing. Happy Blue Monday.
Beautiful blue skies and your photos of Lady Liberty are exceptional. What a perfect post for today!
Happy Presidents Day To You
from Roberta Anne
I've seen the replica in Paris also! YEARS ago in 1980! While flying back to the states the pilot turned the plane and we had a beautiful view from the air of the real lady. However, I've never seen her up close.
Beautiful pictures Diane! I hope to see her someday,standing there in all her glory...Thanks for sharing this meaningful post!
Yes, I saw the Statue of Liberty 40 years ago when I was 16! Back then, you could go all the way to the top and we did. I recall it was an extremely hot day and we were crammed in single-file on the narrow spiral staircase. We slowly nudged our way toward the top, and the closer we got, the hotter it got. I remember being anxious to get up there so we could get out of the smothering heat! If I recall correctly, it took at least 20 minutes because the line was moving so slowly. Once we got to the top though, it was worth it. And I could breathe again! Except for the heat, it was a wonderful experience!
D~~~~
She is so beautiful! I have never been there but would LOVE to go someday.
Beautiful Blue Monday post, Diane!!!
I'm so glad you were able to see the Statue of Liberty in person. We stayed in Manhattan in 2002 just around the corner from the spot where the twin towers had been. It was eerie walking around the perimeter and seeing all the memorials to the firemen and policemen there. It was my second time seeing the Statue of Liberty, although in 2002 we didn't have time to take the boat out to get close and personal. It's an amazing sight!
I remember my first time seeing her. It was the year prior to 911 so I got to see the skyline with the twin towers and I'm so glad I did. When we arrived at Battery Park and I looked out and saw her in the bay...I just started crying like a little kid. Steve couldn't figure out why it would make me cry...but I never thought in a million years I would ever see her in person. Years later when I took my own kids there...my daughter in law started to cry in almost the exact same place in the park. I just smiled and hugged her...I was so happy that I could bring her that same joy. Since then I've taken about 15 people to New York for their first time...and it never gets old!
Diane, those were totally amazing pictures! Just gorgeous!
And yes, I've seen it and loved it. They were doing repairs on it at the time, so I didn't get to see it up close, but I was awed still the same. And the skyline without the Trade Centers is so sad to me. I'll never forget that day as long as I live, but I'm so glad that Lady Liberty is there so that we can focus our attention on how important our freedoms are!
Thanks for this. Great post for President's Day and Blue Monday!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Hello Diane, WOW, I adore your photos. When we (my sisters and I)were in N.Y. this was our first thing to see. It truly made me very emotional that whole day. Ellis Island and all the photos and stories were such a trip back in time. Thanking about the meaning of 'freedom' back then just blew me away. We so need to remember what made America what we are. It was also the first time for me to see The Statute of Liberty. I once had a customer at the bank where I worked ask me what would be my favorite thing to see in N.Y.? I did not have to think one second, The Statute of Liberty. He laughed and said, "Are you kidding me?" He thought that was silly because there were so many more important things to see. Not for me!
Thanks for sharing today.
Love...Jeanne
Thank you for rekindling my memories of our trip to New York, Diane. We were there for four or five days several years ago, and I was very impressed with how clean it was and how friendly and helpful the people were.
We saw the Statue of Liberty, and I was awestruck (and teary-eyed) by her beauty and what she stands for.
We also went to Ellis Island and it was a very emotional experience to see and walk where thousands of immigrants had passed ... and to hear their amazing stories.
I'm not sure I will ever want to go back to New York City, because it could never be as wonderful and memorable as my first trip.
Thank you for sharing yours ... it sounds like it was wonderful, too.
As a native New Yorker, I think there is no greater "sight" for anyone than the Statue of Liberty. Every time I see her, I think of how the many immigrants who brought their dreams and talents and ambition to this country must have felt... seeing her for the first time.
There is a very good "museum" of early immigrant life on the Lower East Side in NY -- you really get a good feeling for what it was like the crowded tenements 100 years ago.
Along with so much else in NY, from the theater to the museums, I highly recommend The Tenement Museum. www.tenement.org for more information.
Thanks for sharing your pictures. It is a pretty neat place, New York. I hope you had a wonderful time!
Cass
This is a perfect Blue posting.
~GORGEOUS PHOTOS! ;)
Morning, Dear One! I love that lady!!
Thanks for the beautiful post.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Love your new blog design! I have never seen the Statue of Liberty, but I really want to, one day. I think it's something every American needs to see for themselves. What great pictures! So glad you shared them with us...Happy Blue Monday!
It is a glorious site! I remember feeling like I must be dreaming! It was a powerful moment. Thanks for sharing !
Hi Diane...it was nice to see your frescoed header again...I've always loved those pics. It is very emotional seeing the Statue of Liberty, isn't it...and every American should see her in person..
;-) Bo
I'm a native New Yorker, so I love this post Diane. When I was a child I was able to climb up inside Lady Liberty several times, all the way to the torch!
New York is not the same without the Twin Towers. My dad worked in that area of Manhattan, and a number of times we were fortunate enough to eat several times at Windows On The World, the restaurant located in the North Tower. It wasn't until March of 2008 that I finally visited Ground Zero, and I still cried.
Thanks for the wonderful post. I, too, found that actually seeing the Statue of Liberty in all of her glory is heartwarming. Your pictures are beautiful. Happy Blue Monday.
Sweetie
She does take your breath away with her beauty, her size, with knowledge that she was a donation from France, and especially with the knowledge of what she stands for. My first sight of her brought me to tears too. I climbed every one of those steps inside her back in 1970! Your pictures and your words are beautiful in this posting. laurie
What a wonderful post and such lovely pictures. Have a happy Blue Monday and a lovely week.
Hi Diane
Your pictures are beautiful. The skies are beautiful and so is the statue! Its wonderful you were able to see it in person.
I have not but hope to one day.
thank you for sharing
Judi
I have not been there...yet...but hope to someday. Thanks for sharing your visit with us.
Long Live Liberty! Candy
Oh...you made it to our fine city! :-) Sorry I missed you. I grew up on Staten Island, and went to school in Manhattan so took the Staten Island Ferry back and forth...and back and forth...and back and forth (you get the picture. :-) EVERY day. So Lady Libby and I spent a lot of quality time together. Now my apartment is on the other side of the Hudson so I'm behind the Statue of Liberty near Liberty State Park. All this time with Libby has made me quite attracted to her...I have all kinds of collections. Mini vintage statues, old postcards...I can't get enough!
Glad you had a good time in NYC!
Diane, I forgot to tell you that I love your new blog design, especially your header pictures.
It really looks nice.
Sincerely,
Janie
First, I just love your new blog dress and header...looks fantastic!
I've never been to NY and will most likely never go. It's a looong way from West Texas to NYC.
I am so glad you got to see her and shared with us...
xo bj
Those are lovely pictures of Miss Liberty.
I'm glad you finally go to see her. It's always exciting visiting a new landmark, isn't it? I'm headed to NYC mid-week myself to celebrate an anniversary and take in the Brooklyn Museum.
Happy Blue Monday
I've never seen her but I hope to one day. If Mr. Dumpling will ever retire...I'm headed that direction!
My step father was the captain of a research vessel in NY when I was a teenager. I have a vague memory of seeing the Statue of Liberty from a distance. We do a short little unit in my class. Would it be ok with you if I share your pictures? They came out beautifully!
take care,
Dawn
My husband and I both grew up in a suburb of NYC. In fact, my husband lived for a number of years in Jersey City, NJ which is where the ferry from the Jersey side now leaves from. Neither one of us ever went to the Statue Of Liberty as children. We finally went when we were home for a visit in the 1990's. We actually visited the Leaning Tower Of Pisa long before the Statue Of Liberty. We enjoyed our visit and went to Ellis Island too. I could spend all day at Ellis Island. I have pictures of us taken on Ellis Island with the NYC skyline and The World Trade Center in the background. I've since been back for a second visit a couple of years ago. It's sad to see the changed skyline.
Hi Diane
I've been to Liberty Island many times to see Miss Liberty and to Ellis Island to see where my maternal grandmother entered NYC many many years ago. It was a very emothional moment for me to see her name in a ship's manifest.
Living in Brooklyn, NY I still ache every day when I look a the NYC skyline and see the blank sky where the Twin Towers stood. My husband worked in The World Trade Center building 7 -- the last building that fell that day. He knew many men that died in the towers. What people saw that day is something you never forget.
I haven't seen her close-up but I saw her as we flew into NYC. Her majestic presence is still very much there, even looking at her from high above, through the small windows of a plane. I was filled w/ awe & pride & yes, tears too.
My sister & my Mom & I flew to NYC for the Westminster Dog Show a few years ago. I loved the experience ... the energy of the city was soo exciting. I would love to go back @ Christmastime one year.
Thanks for taking us "tiking w/ you. Love your new look & the new name, Second Time Around Tuesday.
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