I went to pick up another stamp for my National Park Passport.
I ended up in the middle of a multi-sport festival.
Governors Island has a long history. It lies a few hundred yards off Manhattan.
It served as part of the fortifications of New York during the War of 1812. However the guns mounted in Fort Jay, Castle Williams, and the South Battery did not fire a shot. During the Civil War it served as a prison for Confederates. The island housed military command headquarters and the U.S. Coast Guard.
I learned about this history as spent the afternoon on the island. I saw the barracks and touched the guns. I took in the views of Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey.
In 2003, a portion of the island was designated as Governors Island National Monument; The Trust for Governors Island administers the rest. There are walks, opportunities to ride bikes, and cultural events.
Today one could view three different sporting events:
A badminton tournament
A large screen TV showing the World Cup
And the Gotham Base Ball Club played
All three made great additions to my visit. A good day. A fun day. And another stamp.
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 