June 5 - Jersey City, NJ

Liberty Landing Marina

We moved the boat to Liberty Landing Marina first thing this morning, so we could take our bikes on the ferry into the city. The ferry took us from the marina to the ferry terminal in the financial district in lower Manhattan. The Manhattan WaterfrontGreenway is a 32-mile route that circumnavigates the island of Manhattan. We rode up the Greenway along the Hudson River to 72^nd Street and then over to Central Park. It was a beautiful day and people were out everywhere, enjoying the wonderful weather. Every park and green space was bustling with activities. Before we started exploring the park we made our way down 7^th Ave. to Carnegie’s Deli to enjoy an authentic New York pastrami sandwich. They pile on the meat at this place…most people share a sandwich since they are so big. We weren’t disappointed it was very good and gave us plenty of energy to tackle Central Park.

Central Park was the first landscaped public park in the United States, opened in 1857. The park runs between Fifth and Eighth avenues and 59th and 110th streets and is full of playgrounds, ballparks, tennis courts, open lawns, lakes, bluffs and rocky outcroppings. There is something for everyone. Over 200,000 people a day enjoy the park. We rode the length of the park stopping to enjoy some of the paths and trails that aren’t open to biking. We also stopped three or four times to just sit and take in the beauty. It is hard to believe you are in such a large city when you’re deep in the park. It’s so tranquil and green, full of birds…an oasis in a concrete jungle.

We rode our bikes down 57^th Street to get back to the Hudson River and the Greenway to get back to the ferry terminal. We’re getting pretty fearless riding in city traffic. It’s unbelievable that we actually rode bikes in New York City traffic…not something we would have done a few years ago.

We couldn’t have picked a better day to spend in Central Park. The temperatures were in the 70s all day, the sky was blue and most of the day we had a gentle breeze to keep us cool. It was an unforgettable day, which we really enjoyed.

Part of the Greenway along the Hudson River

This park was full of people when we came back in the evening 

One of the basketball courts along the Greenway

Carnegie's Deli on 7th Ave.

Our pastrami sandwich

Belvedere Castle in Central Park 

The view from Belvedere Castle looking over Turtle Pond

One of the many bridges in Central Park

The Lake in Central Park, you can rent rowboats to enjoy the water.