After visiting the highest natural point in Manhattan, we drove down to ride on the Staten Island Ferry. This is a boat that takes people from downtown Manhattan to Staten Island on a 20-25 minute boat ride.

Ah the memories of the Staten Island Ferry! I had not been on this ferry since the early 1990's (1991?) when I frequently rode the ferry as a (quite often drunken) college student at Wagner College. I spent a lot of time doing whatever I did in lower Manhattan back then. Also, when my Dad was a child living in the Bronx, he and his parents would ride the ferry about once per month to visit his maternal grandparents on Staten Island. Back then (in the 1950's), vehicles were transported on the ferry along with pedestrians.

Sometime between my last ferry ride and today, much renovation has been done at each port. A modest fare of a dollar with turnstyles was eliminated, making the boat ride entirely free for the public. Staten Island is the most geographically distant borough of New York and has had a history of civic movements to seceed from New York City. I wonder, if among many factor, the fee elimination and promotion of the ferry was enacted to placate residents out there! ;)

Enjoy my photos. I think I captured nice shots of the major New York City landmarks to be seen.

-Steve

	The Staten Island Ferry! You can't miss it on the southernmost tip of Manhattan next to Battery Park.
	During normal work days, many in Staten Island use the ferry to commute to points in Manhattan. However on weekends and peak tourist seasons (like today), I think most of the folks riding the ferry were visitors. And look at all the people! I did my best to capture much of the huge crowd (left photo) as we waited to enter the boat. I am certain there were more people on that boat than there are in my small town of Buena Vista with one traffic light. We quickly entered the boat and stood on the upper deck on the back of the boat. We had this view of large masses of people coming on! Generally speaking, I really like people and thrive as an extroverted type, but am not used to huge crowds like this anymore! <:p)
	Leaving the port.
	Two photos of the skyline of lower Manhattan. In that bottom photo, the World Trade Center's towers stood tall on the left.
	Lots of boats out there including another ferry boat, a classic sailboat, a cruise and a Circle Line boat. The Circle Line probably has numerous touring routes, but I distinctly remember riding on that once in the early 1980's when it encircled the island of Manhattan. Here are some of my New York pages: New York Bridges "Old" Yankee Stadium Central Park Manhattan High Point
	The skyline of Jersey City, NJ could be seen out there ...
	... and a few buildings on the Brooklyn side of New York Bay.
	My brother Mark snaps a photo. You can see some of his photography below: China South Korea Thailand
	My best zoom-in shot of the Statue of Liberty.
	Arriving at the docks in Staten Island.
	On the way back ... We sat down on the front side and Wendy (right) was tired. So was I. In fact, the left photo of the water and deck is the only shot I took.
	Sitting there, it was a good time to send a text message. :)