Long bridge into Long Island

We were so pleased with our successful Manhattan bypass into Queens today that we failed to notice the toll rates on the bridge into Long Island. The route was jointly preferred by both our in-car and Google GPS systems. Earlier readings about Verrazano bridge costs were forgotten in our joyous avoidance of Big Apple traffic. When later reviewing our Easy Pass bill I noted the $15 charge ($10 with the pass discount), for the Staten Island to Brooklyn passage. I dimly remembered reading that it is the most expensive bridge in the New York area.

It probably would not have mattered anyway. Flying up the New Jersey Turnpike at 5PM on a Wednesday is no time for out-of-towners to assess entry options and costs. Just pay the man. In fact, total toll costs for the trip from New York were over $50. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge? Chump change.

 

The bridge, named for the first European to enter New York Harbor, stole the longest suspension bridge honors from San Francisco's Golden Gate in 1964. It is still the longest bridge span in the Americas. According to Wikipedia, the curvature of the Earth's surface had to be included in the design. The towers are 1 5⁄8 inches farther apart at their tops than at their bases.

After the crossing we carefully edged up the west side of Brooklyn, gradually curving into the neighborhood of Elmhurst, Queens. An empty space was miraculously open right in front of President Kauffman's 4th floor "pad." Stan Kauffman is our CES director, and also a counselor to Mission President Kevin Calderwood. We moved our suitcases into the third bedroom that will be our home for the next week or so.

View toward Flushing

View of co-op from room

Tonight Stan and his wife Shirley drove us back to Brooklyn Heights. We visited and strolled along the East River, savoring what many believe to be the best view of the Manhattan skyline.
So far, we agree.

Photo by Andrew Mace http://www.flickr.com/photos/acmace/4477623867/