The Road

February 6, 2013 | Mettlers Road Somerset, NJ
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

There is a fascination with roads. Maybe it's an American thing, I don't know for certain, but there are many references to "The Road". On the Road Again, Country Roads, the right road, a fork in the road... it goes on and on.

As I was going through photos for February's Photo-Heart Connection, this image stood out and stirred thoughts and emotions plenty. A slight detour off the beaten path from a client visit after one of the many snowfalls we've had this winter. A bright and cheerful country road, open and inviting... much like life, when we take a moment to just take the blinders off for a moment.

More iPhone Madness

Another week and half with the iPhone...

It's been a real mixed bag these few days

• Saturday - Market flowers
• Sunday - Perfect day for a stroll on the beach
• Monday - Preparing the invitations for the upcoming graduation celebration
• Tueday - Turkey on "Light" wheat
• Wednesday - A visit with my cousin and smile from her charming Buddy
• Thursday - Morning light made these dandies unresistable
• Friday - Nikon is idle on the desk
• Saturday - A family gathering at Cupsaw Lake
• Sunday - Rainy day at the station, poor girl had to go into The City for work
• Monday - Another chilly and wet day; toys and snacks shall prevail!

There are tons of apps for the iPhone and I'm having a grand time playing with many of them. The big problem I see is keeping track of what I do as process the photos. There is definitely a conflict between my Technical and Creative selves. The technical wants to observe and record each and every step along way while the creative side is just in there doing and playing! Oh well, I am a Gemini... so that's bound to happen.

Have a great week and until next time... Live, Laugh, Love!

Drums

Drums
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

St. Patrick's Day Parade Bayonne NJ

78/366
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture f/5.6

Out and About

Out and About
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

A quick roadside stop on a wonderfully spring like day in Port Reading, NJ

68/366
iPhone 4S
Instagram #Lux #toaster

Afternoon Ride

110/365 Afternoon Ride
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

Patiently waiting....

325/365 Holiday Window

325/365 Holiday Window, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

A quick stop in Clinton this afternoon, the shops on Main Street are all ready for the Holidays to begin.

Autumn in New Jersey

I love the colors of autumn! 

Spring brings new life, buds and blossoms that soon turn to blooms of pretty flowers. But...

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."  ~Albert Camus

Over this past weekend we took a trip to Ridgefield Park, NJ where I lived for about year.

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~ Maya Angelou

Who can resist the beauty of the flaming red maples?

The parish church where I made confirmation, founded in 1890.

One thing I've always remembered about this NJ village was the celebration of the holidays, it being the weekend immediately following Veteran's Day this tribute brought back many memories of parades, picnics and patriotism.

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.  ~Elmer Davis

The afternoon was spent having lunch with my aunt. Lover of giraffes and new owner of this cute little "Beany Boo" Safari!

317/365 Up Around the Bend

317/365 Up Around the Bend, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

A short trip early this afternoon led to the tracks along the Hackensack River in Ridgefield Park, NJ.

294/365 Millstone

294/365 Millstone, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

A morning appointment brought me right through Millstone, NJ and the D&R Canal State Park.

283/365 Coming of Change

283/365 Coming of Change, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

Along side Lake Carnegie Princeton Township NJ

260/365 Beach

260/365 Beach, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

Had a wonderful afternoon at the beach in Long Branch. Found Pier Village, never knew it was there. Nice place to walk, shop and grab lunch.

255/365 Storm Over Lake Papaianni

255/365 Storm Over Lake Papaianni, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

Late summer storm at Lake Papaianni Park Edison, NJ

This afternoon took another trip to Lake Papaianni in search of the Daily Shoot... what greeted me was a storm rolling in from the northwest. Caught it just in time before the downpour!

Sunday Drive: Frenchtown, NJ

New Jersey, along the Delaware River has surely captured a part of my heart. Many of my Sunday drives lead back to Hunterdon County, where life seems to be slower and the history richer.

On this particular Sunday we traveled I78 Westbound to Frenchtown,  a small borough right on the banks of the Delaware.We entered town from Route 12 at the bend of Race and Bridge Streets and we were quickly greeted with the lovely colorful shops below.

Like many of the towns in this area of the state, antiques and interior design shops line the main street

As you continue down Bridge Street you come to the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown bridge that leads to Uhlerstown, PA

You can drive or walk the bridge to cross the Delaware River

The bridge viewed from the south east

Back on Bridge Street, there are buildings that date back to the 1800's

Restaurants for every palate

Galleries

And shops that offer unique items

Not to mention the town Cycle Corner....

I just couldn't resist this tandem bike!

I started reviewing and editing this batch of photos Saturday night after seeing Eat Pray Love with my daughter. I've been wanting to see this movie for a few weeks now, just having the need to see a chic flick and try to find some deviation from the daily routine. We both enjoyed the movie finding some messages and solutions to life's little dilemmas. I found it quite ironic to discover Elizabeth Gilbert comes from Frenchtown... it's a very small world we live in!

240/365 Boardwalk Bubbles

240/365 Boardwalk Bubbles, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

Great time at Point Pleasant Beach, gotta love those bubbles!

Sunday Drive: Sergeantsville Revisited

A few weeks back we took another Sunday drive out west towards the Delaware River, this time we got back to Sergeantsville and the covered bridge

The country road leading from the covered bridge into town was lush with summer growth, quite a different view from our March visit!

Lower Creek Road runs along side theWickecheoke Creek, which was rather dry this warm Sunday afternoon.

We ventured up Lower Creek Road where we found a wonderful little farm

Western New Jersey offers views and experiences that are far from what one finds in the eastern counties. More open space and lives up to the "Garden State" name.

231/365 Metuchen Chief

231/365 Metuchen Chief, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

Wood carved indian chief located near Main Street Metuchen. I've passed numerous times over the years and final stopped to photograph it.

Legend has it that Metuchen got it's name from a Native American chief, known as Matouchin and I always wondered if this was tribute to him.

219/365 Strawdog of Frenchtown

219/365 Strawdog of Frenchtown, originally uploaded by maggie_gem (Catch up time!).

Frenchtown Pet shop

191/365 Lids

191/365 Lids, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

Festival table, a sea of hats for warm weather.

183/365 Jersey Fresh

183/365 Jersey Fresh, originally uploaded by maggie_gem.

Visited the local Farmers' Market this afternoon. Onions were fresh and available!

Day 154 Pre-Day Celebration

154/365

Apparently you can celebrate your birthweek these days!

Camera:      Nikon D40
Exposure:     0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture:     f/5.0
Focal Length:     38 mm
ISO Speed:     400
Exposure Bias:     0 EV