Tag: Native Wildflower

The weather was gorgeous today. I wanted to take my camera and head into the woods, but I finished my work and waited for Bhavna to come home. She saw I was excited and agreed to go with me to Pryde's Point-Alexauken Creek Trail. We'd never been to this trail in West Amwell Township before, but it was only twenty minutes from our home. Our friends live in Lambertville, across the bridge from New Hope, Pennsylvania. I'm not an expert with a map, but Pryde's Point-Alexauken Creek Trail is on the eastern side of Lambertville near the township line with West Amwell Township.

Lambertville Township is located on the Delaware River in the southwestern portion of Hunterdon County. During the 18th century, the area was named after various operators of ferries across the river to Pennsylvania. The ferries established the western terminus of the New Jersey portion of the road connecting New York City and Philadelphia. In 1810 when the post office was established, the town was named Lambertville in honour of John Lambert, a resident who had served as United States Senator and Acting Governor of New Jersey.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal figure prominently in Lamberville's history. During the construction, an epidemic of cholera broke out in 1832. Of the thousands of Irish immigrant men hired to dig the canal with pick and shovel, dozens of were buried along the banks of the canal and the Delaware River.

We pulled into the Rocktown Road Entrance of the Pryde's Point-Alexauken Creek Trail and parked in a dirt patch near the trailhead, and walked along the very muddy trail along a grassy field, the edge of a fenced area next to a farm. The path led into a wooded area with twists and turned toward an area with several different trails intersecting. We shrugged our shoulders and set right on another trail along another grassy area toward another intersecting path which went downhill.

We walked and talked and talked some more. Bhavna is concerned about my anxiety. She knows that I do not like the indefinite nature of the "shelter-at-home" order. She knows how much I suffered last year with my health and my father's death. She knows how much I looked forward to getting out and living. We both agreed that suspending my Facebook account was a good move. She's worried about the kids, too, especially our youngest, who had significant challenges last year.

We came upon a clump of trees flooded with water and heard a bullfrog call out. We looked for the frog but could not locate him. He must have been spooked because he stopped making noises. We paused and looked for another five minutes before moving along.

At this point, Bhavna, who was further ahead due to stopping to take photographs, called out that she had found some pretty white flowers. Yes! She had found a patch of bloodroot. So many specimens were growing in the dry leaves under the brush. I was so excited and got down on my knees to take photos. I suddenly realised how much I wanted a macro lens.

Bloodroot is a plant native to the eastern part of the United States and Canada. The plant is called a bloodroot because when cut the root and budding rootstalk, the rhizome secretes a red fluid. I didn't experience this and refused to pick up or damage the plant. I want to encourage the growth and spread of native plants.

Bhavna has hiking boots but opted to wear her sneakers. She was annoyed that her sneakers were muddy and water had seeped into her shoes and socks. She wanted to turn back, but I convinced her to push just a little further until we came upon an abandoned house overrun with trees. Bhavna thought it was occupied and considered that maybe we were trespassing until I showed her the spooky-looking windows. I think we were on the Hedgerow Trail.

We continued past the house toward a small mossy stream where I stood for a moment, enjoying the calm. When I drive out to the Rock Brook, I often like to stand, sit, and listen to the water flowing over the rocks. I find it very relaxing.

But cognizant of the time and Bhavana's patience, I didn't stand for too long. We turned around and walked back the way we came. I am appreciative that we can have these trips. I know many city people may not have this natural daily respite from the COVID-19 restrictions. Hopefully, we get more sunny days. Bhavna told Shaan and Kiran about our walk, and they are excited to join us for the next one.

This is my fourth (or fifth) entry for Jeff's isolation project.

Submitted as part of the 100DaysToOffload project.