The trip from Liberty Island to Ellis Island is a bit more than a mere hop, especially in the tourism season.

In addition to the long lines to reboard the ferry, the punishing heat, and the not so rare local rudeness, we also had fatigue to contend with.

Sheina Shira was inconsolable at one point. Every time we walked, and especially in close proximity to crowds, she just melted down. Then it dawned on us – Down where she was (at knee level), the cute little short thing, down below the canopy of hot sweaty people – The heat and stagnant air must have been even worse than where our faces were!

So, we started the island hop (from Liberty to Ellis), with Sheina Shira on my shoulder. She was reminded how cute others think she is, as fellow crowd victims oo’d and ah’d over her. And I was reminded how much I like having a baby on my shoulder.