Despite the danger, Muir explained that looking out over the harbor brought an emotional connection to historical American immigrants.
"Once you're up there, you are just in complete awe of the beauty of New York Harbor," said Muir.
Muir noted that the vantage point immediately invokes thoughts of historic travelers arriving by ship in search of opportunities.
"And you immediately think of the people who came into the harbor on those ships and thought, 'I'm getting a chance at a new life,'" said Muir.
During his travels, Muir also visited the Grand Canyon and the Redwoods National and State Park in Northern California, where he noted the absence of cellular service.
"First of all, our phones did not work, which was the real gift," joked Muir.
Muir contemplated the historic age of the ancient redwood trees alongside a representative from Save the Redwoods League.
"And you know what? They'll be here hundreds of years after us," said the steward.
Muir, who traces his journalism passion to watching Peter Jennings at age 12, previously shared his childhood experiences with People magazine.
"I was a nerd who felt this gravitational pull to the news, starting back when I was 12 years old," said Muir.
Muir recounted inside childhood neighborhood habits that differed from his peers when local evening programs began broadcasting.
"I remember being outside, playing with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood and being the only kid who would go inside when the local news came on, and then watching Peter Jennings, who I thought was sort of the James Bond of the evening news, the globetrotter," said Muir.
