Last month was my birthday month, and I decided I wanted to go check out some National hot spots. The first one was Great Falls National Park in Paterson, New Jersey.

Going in we were aware that it wasn’t going to be much to see, but the images on the net were pretty fuckin cool, and it was on the way to our later destination, so we figured why not make a stop.

The view was definitely beautiful, but unfortunately construction limited our access. So for a quick and free pit stop I’d give it a B-. The idea behind Paterson is actually pretty cool Alexander Hamilton wanted to set up the first industrial city in America and chose to do so in Paterson thanks to its centralized Water Fall. It was a large display of flowing agua for sure, but apparently if you visit after it has rained it is a much better display. Well, it was cool for a few minutes. We then went to the cleanest and most beautifully designed Burger King in America to pee. Pretty good. Onto the main show, the Delaware Water Gap.

The Delaware Water Gap is a National Park that exists not in Delaware, but in-between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is about 35-40 miles end to end and is cut down the middle by Delaware River.

The reason I wanted to check it out is that it’s part of the Appalachian Trail, which I’ve always wanted to hike parts of. We drove about two hours from NYC, so it was not a bad trek to get there. We were greeted by some kinda nutty religious dude who claimed to be a volunteer. At first I was pretty bummed to be talking to him, nice as he was, but then he actually gave us some useful information about the marking of the trail and a faster way down. We headed on our way up the mountain and were greeted by many beautiful views and a bunch of really cool critters. For example these little frogs about the size of a nickel. Some deer too. The exciting thing was getting to the overview of Mount Minsi.

It was a long and semi grueling hike but it was all very worthwhile once we reached this fine precipice. The funny thing was we had asked another, more serious looking hiker if they had noticed it and about how much longer away was it. This dude was so worn out from the trek he had been he sort of muttered “oh, I don’t know I may have passed it somewhere back there – I have to get to town.” Yikes, ok dude.

The view was really stunning but it wasn’t quite a cut out area to look out. Perhaps there was another section we missed, but at least there was a fairly large stone to stand on to elevate and get a better view and shot.

What was truly amazing was once up there and the taking in the view a raptor sailed calmly and gracefully by our eye level. Realizing just how high up we were might have given us both a short spell of vertigo, but we were both really too excited over the siting that we got over it quick enough.

We pulled out the ol’ binox and spied (what we believe was) a golden eagle. The ruffled edges of its wings seemed to give it away. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking. I snapped a photo or two, the best I could with the lens I had, and hoped the pictures would give us more evidence.

Hard still to tell with the grain of the film, either way it was cool ass shit.

The overlook was just really breathtaking and it wasn’t until the sun took too much of our energy that we decided to turn back

Remembering what the christian volunteer guy told us we took the fire road down and killed about 45 minutes of the trek. On the way back we saw this little symbol of our love, how very appropriate and cute.

We got back to our rental vehicle, much appreciative of the fact that no one had broken into it (there was broken glass all over the parking lot) and headed to another section of the park. This was a little beach area by the river. A few locals, and a few out of towners swimming so we didn’t stay too long as we were looking for a more quiet area.

After we’d had our fill we decided the sun was going down enough that we might need to head to the hotel I booked in NJ. On the way through there was a little trail we decided to take one last look at. The trail led to a stream or creek or whatever. That lead to the want to get our “waterproof” boots on and take a walk through. Thats me on the bridge up there.

The water felt really amazing on our ankles as it completely flooded our boots and we walked inside of what felt like some sort of jam filled shoes. Squishy boots and slime covered rocks make for a perfect combination.

The setting sun made for some soft light and as per usual the lady Charlotte looked heavenly

A little bit of slow exposure made for a really nice photograph. I loved the rushing water and low laying bridge in the background.

Oh hey

My lady

Back on that trail, not much to see really except for tons of wild flowers.

One of the last things we saw in the park was this miniature spider web nestled inside this circular vine. It was about the size of a the bottom of a coke can. Pretty awesome.

On to the hotel and then to Philly the following day.

I loved Charlotte’s little tip doodle. That dude looks stoked

This is the only photo I took in Philly of this fake door / window combo. Basically I wanted to do a few things: get some records, get a warter ice, and get a chicken cheese steak. I think I got 2 of 3? I did end up finding Wool’s ‘Box Set’ LP/7″ set which I’ve never seen, and found a cool comic shop where the helpful clerk found me a bunch of Adam Warlock issues from the 60s and 70s. Very stoked for that.

Back home on Harlem River Drive… one of a swirly cloud I took while driving (oops). Good weekend.

Here’s a bunch of found negatives attached to some rolls from about 8 months ago. Charlotte mid-sick makeup

 

Me as a Nazgul

More Makeup

Mackup

This is from when we were chasing a Red Tailed Hawk that nested in the Flushing Globe

I brought my Hassleblad cause I love it

This is actually a panned photograph (through the trees) of the Hawk flying overhead

Chuck

Northern BLVD