Ocean Grove

Take Me Back to Ocean Grove, We'll Get There Easy and We'll Take It Slow....

Ocean Grove Beach, New Jersey

Ocean Grove is slowly becoming one of my favorite beach getaways that do not need a plane ticket and it's not necessarily just for the summer.  I am falling love with the town in it self.  Maybe its the largest neighborhood of Queen Anne Victorian houses in the country.  Maybe its the neighboring towns of Asbury Park that is making a comeback or Allenhurst that of home that put the show Downton Abby to shame but there is certainly something about this little New Jersey beach town that is extra charming.

Allenhurst, New Jersey

I first rediscovered this town from my childhood when I started making pilgrimages back to Ocean Town Ship where I had spent my formative years in a sleepy cove named Elberon.  I main train stop where in the 19 century you were greeted by horse driven carriages to take you to your summer chalet.

Quaker Inn, Ocean Grove

It was only when a friend had bought a home in Asbury Park at the time, very cheaply I might add that I began to venture out by bicycle that I came across the beach town lost in time.

Somewhere between Asbury Park and Bradley Beach is a a little town that was founded by American Methodist Church.  In fact, it is the oldest Methodist settlement in America.  While you may certainly buy a home here; the land itself is owned by the church.  There is a 99 year lease signed when purchasing the home in where you must resign a new lease once you have lived over the 99 years.

Ocean Grove Main Street

You would think that might sound Orwellian but it works out nicely.  The town has been nicely preserved.  If  a house becomes unlivable or a fire takes it away you must follow strict guidelines when building again.  Main Avenue, while small has very cute shops as you would find in a town like this.  Nagles is a staple in the community, it used to provide pharmacy service and double as an ice cream shop.  It had changed hands only a few times and still functions selling ice cream and works as a diner.

Ocean Grove Summer Tent Beach Cabins

Young adults riding down the streets on skate boards chewing bubble gum with little ones in pig tails following on tricycles gives you a sense of another time.  This definitely resonates with the senior crowd on a random Friday night pull out the old key board and sit on a random stoop and sing the classics.

While the beach might make Miami Beach look like an abandoned desert, patiently you will find a spot with some careful planning, especially on the weekend.  Don't miss out next summer on the delights of the easy summer breeze of Jersey and maybe some Beach Boys ABBA, Air Supply - they play at the Methodist Hall from time to time.

UMC Hall circa 1894

Ashville: Someday We Will Meet

Kate's Date with Ashville

While scrolling around the internet recently I came across a quirky traveling blog by a young lady named Kate.  The blog called Adventurous Kate chronicles the travels of Kate, mostly traveling solo around the world.

First of all, I do appreciate her introduction of herself and giving great information about safety for women traveling by themselves.  That is a reality when traveling abroad that should always be on the forefront of one's mind.

I was especially intrigued by the article 14 Reasons Why I am Smitten with Ashville, North Carolina.
I like when someone gets into the nooks and crannies of a town; more of the off the beaten path.
Overall, I do anticipate a trip to Ashville mainly because of Biltmore; the largest estate of the Vanderbilt's.  I am fan of great estates from the Gilded Era.  This one is like Disneyland for me.

There are some listings for great places to eat and shop that I will definitely make a note of when I make my visit down south.

Note: I have attempted for 3 days to leave a message on this page and even created an IT ticket but to no avail there is no way to leave a post.  I have emailed Kate.  She might not be aware of it. I feel it is necessary to support and encourage fellow bloggers around you.

Update: A page was put up this morning stating one cannot make a guest post.  That is really funny and kinda weird seeing how there are posts from other people.  The only way I can figure is she is apart of a class or a group that only post amongst themselves.

The Hudson River: Priceless

When Privatization Bogart's Nature

I am a big fan of the Hudson River. I recently took a trip to a nationally registered park that had stunning views of the Hudson. Though there are a quite a few parks along the river, this particular area had parking alongside a hill overlooking the valley below. The Hudson and the mountain range were west of my position. As I photographed the shot, the image just hit me regarding the legacy of the grounds.

Vanderbilt Estate, Hyde Park, New York

The grand residences of the once Gilded Age of America and many of the estates of American Revolution Legacy  gave back by donating their massive properties to the Federal Parks Department.  This mainly occurred because it was simply unaffordable after taxation changed in the early part of the last century for families to keep their ancestral property. The grounds of many of these estates are not to be missed when traveling through the Hudson Valley.

Wildenstein, Rhinebeck, New York

Some estates come with benches to take a load off or possibly if you are adventurous enough to just plop down on well-manicured lawns; minus the weeds, poison ivy and dog poop. The Park's Department does not disappoint when keeping the grounds beautiful.  With privately run estates like the Wildenstein house, its the volunteers are who keep the grounds in check.

Boscobel, Cold Springs, New York

Depending on where you end up, there will be foliage and mountains as far as the eye can see.  I think bringing the Sunday paper or one's head down in texting mode seems rather blasphemous when in the presence of these views of green.  
Fall is just around the corner.  Can you image this shot with reds, oranges, and yellow staring back at you?
Remember to take in God’s country with just a good healthy, tranquil sitting.
Enjoy!
(For about fifteen minutes at a time in some places)

 

Rhinebeck and Hyde Park, New York

A Tale of Two Towns

Both towns pre-date the American Revolutionary War. Rhinebeck is the home of several signer's of the U.S. Constitution including Robert Livingston. 

The Wilderstein mansion commands captivating views of the Hudson.  It's not just a place to take a tour of how the other half lived a century ago but a hiking venture that is pleasurable any season of the year.  Go ahead, bring a picnic basket and a blanket. Snooze on the lawn facing the Hudson River. The gentle breezes of pine and local flora will relax you.  The train track below the hill will echo whistles of a Metro North train whizzing by from time to time. 

If you close your eyes you can almost envision a steam engine barreling down the tracks, filled with passengers and parasols.

Further south of Rhinebeck lies Hyde Park is the hometown of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He not only was raised in the same house but later shared the home with his wife Eleanor. Both husband and wife are, respectively, buried in the rose garden on the property. 

There are more recent historical features of the area, including a 60 year old drive-in opened on the weekends for anyone desiring to sit under the night sky across from the FDR estate and watch cinema via your car radio from your SUV.

One of 14 Vanderbilt homes built in America neighbors the FDR property.  Several of these locations are open to visitor's for touring during the week. A few of the properties are on National Park Service land, including the Hyde Park Drive In.

Enjoy!