by Carol
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Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty
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What a fortunate bunch we are! While my FOL sisters were surfing the waves in California and Florida, camping in Oklahoma with friends, and wandering Europe last week, I found an outing on the water right here at home. And I was as much a tourist as anyone else!
My local camera store (Unique Photo) sponsors a tour each year called "Five Bridges and Two Rivers." I've always wanted to join in. So last weekend, a friend and I took the plunge. We went up to the store Friday night for orientation and instruction. Then, on Saturday, we packed up our windbreakers and our gear and climbed aboard our ferry at Imperial Pier, Weehawken. We had torrential rain here all week, but Saturday was a perfect 75 degree day!
From Weehawken our ferry traveled north to go up the Hudson River and pass under the George Washington Bridge - the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge - where we saw the "Little Red Lighthouse" from the famous children's book.
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#1 - The George Washington Bridge - World's busiest Motor Vehicle bridge
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(*stock photo of the book)
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Next, we turned and rode back down to the East River, where we found the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and The Williamsburg Bridge in quick succession. Along the way we had a beautiful view of much of what Manhattan has to offer - Grant's Tomb and the Freedom Tower, but also The Old Domino Sugar Factory, the Colgate Clock, Chelsea Pier.
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| #2 - The Brooklyn Bridge - built in 1883 |
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# 3 - The Manhattan Bridge
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| #4 - The Williamsburg Bridge |
Then, we headed up to circle under the the longest bridge in America - the Verrazano Narrows Bridge that connects New York to Staten Island. The return brought us past Governor's Island, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. So many icons in such a small area!
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| #5 - The Verrazano Narrows Bridge |
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| Ellis Island |
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Lady Liberty, of course!
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We stopped on Hoboken Pier for a pizza dinner and night shots of the skyline, and then floated on home to Weehawken. We were delivered spent but happy, and drove home with a large number of photos, some new photographic knowledge, and really, a live history lesson about New York.
Unique photo offers many different venues like this. They get special access to the museums, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, and several other places in the city and in the surrounding area as well. I know there are several stores and classes in Manhattan that sponsor these events too. I love the idea of having the store instructors along on the trip for questions, and sometimes the manufacturers bring equipment to try.
I'm sure there must be similar activities at your local camera store, or through some local teachers in your own area. I encourage you to try some of these events. They challenge, entertain and inspire you at the same time! It's just nice to do something a little different close to home!
(And please don't forget to bring your pictures right back here to our gallery so we can all travel with you!)