City of Water Day, Part 3: Hidden Harbor Cruise and Fire on Pier 17

After enjoying the activities on Governors Island, we headed to the pier to catch our ride on a New York Waterways Ferry for a Hidden Harbor Cruise, which showed us New York Harbor as working seaport. We also got an awesome view of the Statue of Liberty. The bells on the harbor bouys ringing in the waves sounded almost like church bells, a strangely comforting sound. I would love to have a tape of it to fall asleep by.























Along the way, we had front row seats for a dramatic fire on Pier 17 and the efforts of the crew of The Shark, a tour boat berthed nearby, to control the fire until FDNY arrived on scene soon after. Watching the fireboat deploy her water cannon and knock down the fire made this one boat ride we will never forget.

Thankfully, the fire was quickly extinguished and no one was injured. It was eerie to watch clouds of smoke blanket lower Manhattan, and gave us the chills as we remembered another day when New York was not so fortunate...

Local Landmarks: Picture Tunnel

We have a local landmark called The Picture Tunnel, because walking through, you are looking at what appears to be a framed image of the Hudson River. Have a look:

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

We made our annual pilgrimage to the Halloween extravaganza that is The Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor. Lots and lots of photos here, and some of these look MUCH better full size, so please click to see them larger, if you are interested...

At the Manor house, with some spooky former residents:





Cats (and mice) & bees:



Fancy carving:



A field of sunflowers:



Henry Hudson's Half Moon and an atlantic sturgeon:



Witches and skeletons:



Facial anatomy:




Aliens and UFO:



Paleo-pumpkins:





Fairies and pirates:



My little pumpkin:

Field Trip: Henry & Mudge at the Tarrytown Music Hall

We've walked past Tarrytown Music Hall, but today's performance marks the first time we've ever been inside the impressive old theater. There's a silhouette theme going on along the side aisles and in the balcony, and a beautiful river landscape is painted over the stage. The performance was wonderful. Mikro was moving in his seat to the music, and watched with rapt attention (until the last 10 minutes, when his capacity for sitting still was exceeded, and I had to have him on my lap to keep him quiet...) Predictable result-- he wants a doggie best friend now. I hope we can get our cluttered house into order by April so he can have a puppy for his birthday. But it's not looking good... Well, in the meantime, we will read about Henry and Mudge and their adventures.