City Camping

Eight nights in Jersey City, across the Hudson from NYC

Very interesting RV Park…location, location, location, just a 10 minute walk from the Liberty Harbor Ferry, which crosses the Hudson to Lower Manhattan in just 10 minutes, for $6 (senior rate.) In 7 days, we took 5 day trips to New York. We took 3 Ferry rides to Lower Manhattan and 2 driving trips, 1 to Westchester County (just north of the Bronx) and 1 to Long Island. Traffic Sucks, no matter the time of day. 90 minutes to go 20 miles, mostly “highway”!?!?!?!

Visited 2 new National Park Sites and 1 revisit:

• Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site (#209), in Mount Vernon, Westchester County, 20 miles north of New York City. Since 1665, Saint Paul’s Church played a vital role in the colonial life of Eastchester. During the American Revolution, American, British and Hessian troops tore down the old wooden meetinghouse for firewood and used the unfinished stone chapel as a hospital.
• African Burial Ground National Monument (#138-revisit), the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It protects the historic role slavery played in building New York. We got to see the outside Memorial for the 1st time, as it was being constructed on our 1st visit, in 2019.
• Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (#210), in Oyster Bay, on Long Island, was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. During Roosevelt’s time in office, his “Summer White House” was the focus of international attention. There are 83 acres of natural surroundings, historic buildings and trails.

Wandering around lower Manhattan

• First day we walked across lower Manhattan to the East River. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, Mark’s first time. We also visited America’s Tall Ship, the USCGC Eagle (our 3rd time), as the Coast Guard was recruiting near the bridge. There were many “Swab”s (incoming freshmen cadets) in attendance.
• Second day we mostly just revisited the African Burial Ground.
• Third day was our “Urban Hiking” day. We got in 7-8 miles, walking up the Hudson River Parkway and exploring many of the Piers-as-Parks on the way, including the iconic Little Island. Had a nice Seafood dinner, before catching the ferry back that day.

We also did a little walking around Jersey City (and discovered an excellent Ice Cream Shop, Torico) and stopped at a mid-week block party? Good Music. Gail hung out in camp one day, while Mark visited family & friends on the shore. Yesterday we just hung in Jersey City, got some chores done, and had a nice dinner at Razzo Pizza. (Thanks for the recommendation, Laura!)

Off for Connecticut today!

For more pictures, eventually, see (in-work) Adventure Album:  Northeast Family Summer

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