Staying on the third Island has given me a greater appreciation for the maritime aspects of New York.


The shipping and ships, docks, wildlife, supporting industries, expanses of sky and water, the great view of lower Manhattan and ridges of Brooklyn.

And more.

While in Manhattan, you may glimpse the rivers and the bay, but it doesnt really feel like an island, being as connected to the world by all those tunnels and bridges as it is.
The Big Island is Long Island - although even people whove lived on it for years dont even realize it IS an island.
Being in Brooklyn or Queens doesnt feel like an island, I guess.

Staten Island is another world.

(Conversation -condensed- from yesterday:)

"... ohh, I know where you are, Staten Island is part of Long Island, you can take the Long Island Railroad to get out there, not just the Ferry....."
"Ehh, no.. there are no trains connecting SI. its really closer to Jersey.. but it is an island.. a big one."
"Really?"
"Yeah, Brooklyn and Queens are part of Long Island."
"No shit. So what is the Bronx?"
"The only borough of New York that is actually part of mainland US, more of a Yonkers, Westchester County feel."
"Ahh, so how would I drive there?"
"You either drive from New Jersey or Brooklyn over the Verazzano Bridge."
"So, you like riding the Ferry, huh."
"Yup. And apart from WAITING for the Boat, it takes less time in the middle of the night to get to SI, than it is to take the train to Brooklyn."

I do like riding the Ferry actually. You see New York as a real port city, which isnt as apparent when you drive or fly in.

With all the big boats coming in to the ports of New York and New Jersey, the Bay is as crowded in rush hour as it is on the streets.

And Im finding folk who live in SI are very, very passionate about their Ferry Boats.

Very passionate.

Friendships, romances and marraiges have started on the Boat.

So much so, that start a convo with a SI person about the Ferry, and they'll talk yer ear off.

I dont mind. Im always fascinated by something that is as big and efficient as the New York Transit system.

And the ferry does run very efficiently.

Very little keeps it from running. And from what I hear, the last time it stopped running was the blizzard of 96 - and even then it was only stopped for a few hours.
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Some random pix from an afternoon trip into Manhattan.

Pulling out from the Staten Island Terminal....











The Verrazzano Bridge in the distance over the Narrows - the main entrance to New York Bay, connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island. Essentially used as a shortcut between Long Island and New Jersey.














It's still a pretty neat thrill when you blow by the Statue, no matter how many times you do it....




















Pulling into Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Docks behind..








Walking out of the terminal, sunset over the Statue, Bay and Battery Park.


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Every other person I talk, after talking about the boat - say they wish they would take more pictures of certain aspects of the crossing.

Heh. And yet they dont.

I think, like most folk riding the Boat, or living in New York - they take the views for granted - and figure they'll get around to it.. someday.

Myself, Ive become very aware of how things change, so Im capturing as much of it.. putting it up on the site...

Oddly tho, there arent that many sites about the SI ferry.. prolly because most New Yorkers still think of SI as the home of the Great Kills Landfill.
Not much else, just ferry schedules and tourist blurbs.

So, Im thinking of starting a Ferry web site project with some SI natives and residents......




You cannot buy color like that.