One day before coming back to the ancestral home , I escaped into town since I hadn't really been over into New Hope since my delicious bakery stop. And I wanted a change from the scenery up at the lake. I was curious to see if our little river town had come back yet since the pandemic continues, and if many were venturing out. It was a glorious walk through town, since spring is awakening. I'd say, the overall town, has about about 21 blocks to walk in all directions. I sadly counted between services, retail and the food establishments around 25 places gone. I also ran into my friend Punk Rock who owns her own shop, and she is barely hanging on, though her on-line side is keeping her afloat. Mind you, I went during the week, so it's always more quiet when tourist are gone, but it was still a bit ghost town feel. The weekends I hear are out of complete control. Hence why I go during the week. Most things, with exception to retail, are now open till 10pm and the mask mandate for outdoors is no longer enforced except for large crowds. The good news was some new places will be opening. Hence the perfect name... New Hope. It's important as always to keep our river towns of New Hope, Lambertville and Frenchtown in business and shop small local business. Who wants a world of chains? But still caught some wonderful pictures.
The Playhouse, which isn't open yet.
Pollen laying on the canal
Entrance to my neighbor's farm up the road. Farmer Robin had eggs for me.
Had a visit with Jack while there.
I like to call this shot "After Hours"
What a lovely place!
ReplyDeleteI love your pics of New Hope and I love canals; you should try the Canal du Midi, take a canal boat with crew (including chef) down the tree lined water highway through Languedoc.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds heavenly!
DeleteHere the canal use to have a mules walked by men, that pulled little boats down the canal, but they have been long gone, as one year they started work on the canal to repair some damage, and they never did bring back the mule rides. It's often a very peaceful walk.
Such an exquisite, quaint, pretty little town. Every time I see the name New Hope, however, I think of Star Wars.
ReplyDeleteIt could be Star Wars, if I eat the wrong foods! And toots, be on the look out for some deliciousness coming your way by UPS!!!!! I hear maybe Friday.
DeleteTerrific, Mads! We will actually be home this weekend instead of at the Retirement Manse.
DeleteOh, that vaccine sign, LOL!
ReplyDeleteQuaint old place, isn't it? If it weren't for all the shutters on the windows and the picket fencing (both rare over here), that first picture could be any number of villages in the UK... Jx
ReplyDeleteThat would make sense, since when the area was settled, most were from the UK and Ireland. When friends from the UK are here they said it feels like home. I don't think you guys use screens in windows either do you?
DeleteScreens, shutters - aren't they the same thing? Anyway, over here we don't tend to have hurricanes or tornadoes, and our island weather doesn't have huge extremes (our summers are never that hot, nor our winters very cold), so the vast majority of houses in Britain tend to have curtains or similar indoors rather than wooden slatted protection outside the window. That said, in some historic (read: draughty) big houses and stately homes, interior wooden shutter-blinds are often still in place. Jx
DeleteWhile some here have shutters, many homes like my mothers, only have screens, altogether different... a very thin metal meshing that is in a fitted frame and cover the window to keep the air coming in but keeps bugs out. Shutters here, are most times only outside, and many are only decorative, and not useful. But if a house is old, most likely, like in New Hope, they are still operable, thought no one seems to pull then shut anymore.
DeleteAh - fly-screens. Probably more useful in places like Scotland where they get plagued by midges in summer, but most of the UK doesn't have great swarms of insects (and certainly not malarial ones) so they aren't commonplace. Jx
DeleteBEAUTIFUL!!!! Love the closing photo. Before you come up, with the show cancelled again, I should come down to you and then drive back with you. I would love to see your fair hamlet.
ReplyDeleteAwesome and quaint town. The motorcycle with side car is damn cool.
ReplyDeleteI swear, river towns up there are so darn pretty. And I always enjoy seeing the sense of humor the places have there with signs.
ReplyDeleteLovely. Hopefully, when all is said and done, some businesses will return.
ReplyDeleteSidenote: I had several Tequila vaccines over the weekend!
I wouldn't expect anything less dear. Best to be safer then sorry.
DeleteI would love one of those birdhouses for my garden.
ReplyDeleteI agree with shop small and local. During the pandemic I got into the habit of shopping only small and local, with everything from hardware store to food and clothing. And the service has been much more personable, and appreciated. I'm sure the big boxes will be jussssst fine.
I'm the same way tweety.
DeleteYou take the best photos!
ReplyDeleteExcellent pictures! I remember my trip well when I visited.
ReplyDeleteGood to see things are coming back. I'd hate to see a cute town like New Hope go under. Loved the horse!
fabulous places!
ReplyDeleteI and some of my gay peeps were there this weekend. It was insane! We stay masked up since only one of us so far has been vaxxed. It sure was pretty though. It feels a world away from Philly.
ReplyDeleteI, of course want to go to the Witch Shop. First stop!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's an absolutely charming town! Love everything: the quaint little houses, the river, the shops. Everything.
I'm telling you, once this pandemic tides over (which may take time because idiots, of course!) I'm gonna have to make a road trip.
XOXO
The things I would show you, the things we'd talk of.
DeleteThank you for the photo tour and taking us all with you! How fun. Great pics, as per usual. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteReally loverly!
ReplyDeleteAnd loves the dogs and the horse.
xoxo :-)
new hope is best seen on the weekdays. we are coming back to life slowly. gin makes everything better.
ReplyDeleteLife may have to speed up with me. I'm not ready to jump back in yet, like it was before.
DeleteYou showcase the area well! I might actually be moving out to Bucks country. And I would look forward to it. Love the last picture with the duck couple.
ReplyDeleteMoving to Bucks?!?!?! I could have you in for tea!
DeleteYou are so fortunate to have such a beautiful place to live. It’s heartbreaking to see the small businesses that have been decimated by the pandemic. And the news is full of reports that we will not reach herd immunity due to lack of a vaccinated population. This is going to be another tough year.
ReplyDeleteI think your right. It's the only reason it will be a tough year. And one reason I'm glad Im not working in a huge store anymore.
DeleteVery, very nice.
ReplyDeleteI love how even the bird houses have character. I bet that would be a fun place to live.
ReplyDeleteIt is! It's never a dull moment.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, glorious place. I wish I had gotten to know New Hope all those years I lived on the East Coast. New hope to New Hope! And what all that beauty, I keep going back to those two pups staring out the shop door.
ReplyDeleteGotta get up that way one day,
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI believe in supporting locally owned businesses rather than big chains. Especially restaurants...I always support those.
Theatres are barely hanging on here. The oldest here will open season 44 in September, if they can make it. Rent has returned to pre-COVID, and deferred rent has been divvied and added. But they aren't allowed to open capacity yet. Zappos founder Tony Hsieh was a huge donor. His death last Fall has left a humongous divot in funding (his family has already announced they will not continue his philanthropy). you'd think the Big Guns in town would help - but Alas! they consider the local stuff "competition" to their star-studded showrooms. Go figure. May New Hope live up to its name!
ReplyDeleteI continue to be awestruck how much beauty is in your life like in these photos
ReplyDeleteI miss new Hope more than any other place during this whole pandemic. Such beautiful picture you got too Mistress. I want to come back when it's much safer, but know it will be melancholic as Ill have many memories of William there. I love Jack, He's right in your face too!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful place. I want to walk there right now!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I haven't been in aaaaaaages! Love the vibe in that town.
ReplyDeleteLooks like somewhere I would like to visit. Wonderful photography!
ReplyDeleteSx
I have the feeling you'd enjoy town Scarlet. Some very quirky shops.
DeleteSimply awesome post!!!! Gotta put it on my travel plans!!! Gorgeous images!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you come...I have the feeling we wouldn't see much?
Deletevery nice place!
ReplyDelete