Warm December On The Delaware ...

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”

                       ~ Albert Camus

                           ~1913-1960

A speedboat cruises on the Delaware River under the Free Bridge on a beautiful & mild mid-December afternoon facing the historic town of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, as seagulls take flight at right.

A portion of the historic Northampton Street Bridge, commonly called the Free Bridge, can be seen from my vantage point across the river at Delaware Canal State Park, Easton, Pennsylvania near the Forks of the Delaware Trailhead of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail). The iconic Jimmy’s Doggie Stand can be seen to the right of the bridge. The American flag billows in the breeze to the left of Jimmy's.

The Free Bridge that spans the two states was completed in 1896 and survived massive

flooding from Hurricane Diane in 1955. It underwent a thorough restoration in 1990 and is one of my very favorite places to photograph.

 Phillipsburg and Easton are both historic Delaware River Towns. Phillipsburg was established March 8, 1861 and was named for William Phillips, an early settler of the area. Easton was founded in 1752.

  

The Forks of the Delaware is the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers where Phillipsburg and Easton meet; it is where the Lehigh River merges into the Delaware River.

The trail is positioned between the Delaware River and Delaware Canal, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. The site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.

Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.

 

Fall Across The Forks Of The Delaware ...

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”

  ~ Norman Maclean

  ~ 1902 ~1990

 ~ American author and scholar noted for his semi-autobiographical novella “A River Runs Through It and Other Stories” (1976) that was adapted into a motion picture in 1992; and the book “Young Men and Fire” (1992).

Fall reflects across the Forks of the Delaware, the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers where Easton, Pennsylvania and Phillipsburg, New Jersey meet, as sunset looms on a beautiful late October afternoon.

Phillipsburg and Easton are both historic Delaware River Towns. Easton was founded in 1752. Phillipsburg was established March 8, 1861 and was named for William Phillips, an early settler of the area.

Pops of the Easton skyline can be seen at left. At right is the Delaware River Toll Bridge, the historic Northampton Street Bridge – commonly called The Free Bridge – and the iconic Jimmy’s Doggie Stand in Phillipsburg.

The Free Bridge that spans the two states was completed in 1896 and survived massive flooding from Hurricane Diane in 1955. It underwent a thorough restoration in 1990 and is one of my very favorite places to photograph.

I shot this from my vantage point at Delaware Canal State Park, Easton near the Forks of the Delaware Trailhead of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail). The Forks of the Delaware is where the Lehigh River merges into the Delaware River.

 The trail is positioned between the Delaware River and Delaware Canal, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. The site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.

Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.

 

Love This Land ...

“If tomorrow all the things were gone

I worked for all my life

And I had to start again

With just my children and my wife

I’d thank my lucky stars

To be living here today

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom

And they can’t take that away

And I’m proud to be an American

Where at least I know I’m free

And I won’t forget the men who died

Who gave that right to me

And I’d gladly stand up next to you

And defend Her still today

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt

I love this land

God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota

To the hills of Tennessee

Across the plains of Texas

From sea to shining sea

From Detroit down to Houston

And New York to L.A.

Where’s the pride in every American heart

And it’s time we stand and say

That I’m proud to be an American

Where at least I know I’m free

And I won’t forget the men who died

Who gave that right to me

And I’d gladly stand up next to you

And defend Her still today

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt

I love this land

God Bless the U.S.A.

And I’m proud to be an American

Where at least I know I’m free

And I won’t forget the men who died

Who gave that right to me

And I’d gladly stand up next to you

And defend Her still today

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt

I love this land

God Bless the U.S.A.”

   ~ “God Bless the U.S.A.”

    ~written & recorded by country music artist

             Lee Greenwood

                 ~ 1984

“God Bless the U.S.A.” is an American patriotic song played at the 1984 Republican National Convention with President Ronald Reagan & First Lady Nancy Reagan in attendance, but gained greater prominence during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.

The popularity of the song rose sharply after the September 11, 2001 attacks and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

“Love This Land” with a peace sign in the middle of the O is etched on the base of the Lehigh and Hudson Railroad Delaware River Bridge, Easton, Pennsylvania when I snapped this patriotic sight on a late spring afternoon in early June.

The railroad bridge connects Easton with Phillipsburg, New Jersey. I shot this underneath the bridge at Delaware Canal State Park, Easton near the Forks of the Delaware Trailhead of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail). The Forks of the Delaware is where the Lehigh River merges into the Delaware River.

The trail is positioned between the Delaware River and Delaware Canal, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. The site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.

Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.