Liberty State Park

On a cloudy day at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ:

While driving on our way to Boston last week, we decided to stop at Liberty State Park to show Andrew the Statue of Liberty.  It was the first time we had been here in ten years since moving from Northern NJ to Northern VA, and were surprised not only to see that  a 9/11 Memorial had been built, but also that so much construction had gone on in rebuilding the new towers across the river in Manhattan.  I do not know that I like the towers being rebuilt, although there is something in their new twisted form that is a reminder of the disaster and wreckage of the original, a piece of which has been laid to rest on the shores of Jersey City at Liberty State Park.  I think the lights shining up from the ground may have been a more peaceful remembrance.

I will never forget 9/11, watching PBS with Andrew that morning... and then not, as PBS had been broadcast from on top one of the towers... Then Brian, working from home that day, calling out to say that a plane had struck one of the towers... me thinking it was probably just a small commuter plane and minimal damage, only to see the effects of the horrific truth  unfold on television with the rest of the world... Then later how we could always see the twin towers from the highway on Route 24, and then one day not... This Empty Sky Memorial reminds me of that ...

From the NJ 9/11 Memorial Foundation website about Empty Sky, which was dedicated September 10, 2011:

"Twin walls transect a gently sloped mound anchored by a granite path that is directed toward Ground Zero. The length of each wall is exactly equal to one side of the former World Trade Center Towers as the height of the wall reflects proportion of the former buildings if they were lying on their side. The seven hundred and forty seven (747) victims’ names from the State of New Jersey face one another on the interior elevations of the twin brushed stainless steel walls within easy reach. The walls channel visitors to the location in the Manhattan skyline where the former World Trade Center towers once stood."

You can read more about the Empty sky Memorial on that website here.  Despite the dark and cloudy day, I think the pictures give a good feel for what it was like looking and walking through the memorial ... beautiful, yet an eerie feeling for me, and I can't believe how they thought to capture it:

Empty Sky Memorial at Liberty State Park

Manhattan skyline including Empire State building

New twin towers being constructed

 Finally close enough to see the Statue of Liberty (in the background below).  Time enough to take a picture (not easy as it was so dark), and then get back on the road to Boston:

Andrew with the Statue of Liberty in background

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park: Cabell's Mill and Middle Gate

From our walk this morning... Once I started taking pictures of the deer, I got inspired to take more photos, and basically just photographed the whole rest of the walk since it is so pretty:

If you look closely, you can see the deer looking through the bush  at us

 A pretty bend in the trail

Always wondered about the history of this rock wall

Another view of the same rock wall

I have seen people stopped to pick this...I wonder what it is -- sort of looks like parsley, but wouldn't want to eat it

Pretty bend in the stream

Bench to sit on -- seems to attract couples

"Something smells good."

Middle Gate

 Below is a very pretty section of the wall behind Middle Gate.  There is a cherub above a very worn engraved section which if you look carefully is a quote from the Bible, Jeremiah 48:17 " All ye that are about Him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod":

You have to look very carefully to read the engraving on this

Close-up of cherub on engraved section

Back of Middle Gate

Cabell's Mill,  historical gristmill

Middle Gate

A pretty Magnolia tree

Middle Gate

Information marker

Day lilies -- how pretty

Day lilies blooming at the side of Cabell's Mill by the dogwood tree that was blooming a couple of months ago

Bridge, a portion of which was damaged by flooding this past fall

Across the road, the path continues on to Walney Pond and Walney house

Entrance to Middle Gate

Wishing Well

The wall is built to accommodate this cedar tree

 

Rocky Run

Some large rocks along the path

There are so many different kinds of plant and animal life in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.  I think it is wonderful that they have documented it:  plant life here , mammals here,  reptiles here and bird life here.  There is even a Great Blue Heron that comes through which I was lucky enough to have seen before.  Below are three different kinds of ferns I noticed on the walk today:

Fern with a flower

Another different fern

Third kind of fern

Back home.

Olivia, The Good Dog

Feeling very photogenic, some recent photos from a day in the life of Olivia, our Labrador-Border Collie mix:

Very happy

Rolling around on her back

Saying her prayers so sweetly

Ready for bed

p.s.  Had to add this funny note:  Apparently dogs can see things on a computer screen, because Olivia just went nuts when I showed her the pictures of herself on my computer.  I don't think she was indulging me because three times she actually put her feet up on the desk to see better (only the one with her rolling on her back did not elicit the same response) and twice went to look behind the desk, as if there were some other dog there!

Bungee Ballet

Love this bungee ballet scene from the Lara Croft Tomb Raiders movie -- it looks like my kind of fitness workout.  I have the double story foyer, but would have to do some major changes before I could do it...  like removing the chandelier, installing hurricane glass in the front window and reinforcing the ceiling!  Probably not a realistic dream, but here is how cool it looks in the movie:

Source: ragingcostumes.com via Diane on Pinterest

May Flowers

Spring is a really beautiful time of year at our house.  Here are some of the flowers that are blooming now:

Peonies from the front walk make a beautiful bouquet

Lots of blooms in the backyard:

Climbing Cecile Brunner roses along the back deck

More blooms on the back deck -- wisteria