Tag: Photo Challenge

Sourland Mountain Preserve

One of my first thoughts, when I saw Frank's challenge, was, "I'll hike the Sourland Mountain Preserve to Devil's Half Acre". Bhavna offered to come with me. The parking in the area near the trailhead on Mountain View Road was filled with cars.

Devil's Half Acre is a large boulder field with talus caves which can be approached through the Sourland Mountain Preserve by taking the northernmost trail 3⁄4 of the way up and then heading about 1⁄2 mile to the north/northwest.

The warmer weather seduced local area residents and their dogs to enjoy the outdoors. We started up over the rocky terrain. I scrambled, took this shot and noticed that Bhavna was way behind me.

Sourland Mountain Preserve
Rock, Sourland Mountain Preserve —FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams

While on Hike and Hops at St. Michaels Farm Preserve a few weeks ago, we both injured our feet. It seems Bhavna didn't recover as quickly as I did. Her mind was willing, but her body was not able. We walked the shortest part of the trail returning to the car, just thirty minutes after starting. I got this shot and a few others.

Sourland Mountain Preserve
FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (17.6 mm, f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Sourland Mountain Preserve
Rock, Sourland Mountain Preserve —FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Sourland Mountain Preserve Trail Map
Sourland Mountain Preserve Trail Map

Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar

Established in 2002, the Wonder Bar near the Asbury Park Boardwalk on Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey offers basic Americana staples such as burgers, shakes, fries, onion rings, and hot dogs, live music, food, and great drinks. This famous New Jersey spot is a favourite stop for seasoned bands and where up­-and­-comers can make their mark. Bon Jovi, Clarence Clemons, Lance Larson, Bruce Springsteen performed and many others have played at the Wonder Bar.

Asbury Park is over one hour drive from Montgomery Township. I planned to leave home after a quick breakfast and arrive around 8 AM. The idea was to arrive at the Wonder Bar before motorist had parked on the street. However, I overslept and didn't leave my home until well after 8 AM. I parked on Ocean Avenue, noticing the half dozen cars parked outside the building.

Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (21.3 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16.5 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams

The air was cold and crisp. I could smell the ocean coming off the nearby beach. I walked around photographing the exterior of the Wonder Bar trying to keep the parked vehicles. I started thinking about the various bands that have played the venue, about the parties in the expansive outdoor deck called Tillie’s Landing after Tillie, a grinning mural of an amusement park "fun face" that was initially located on the side of Palace Amusements.

Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (42.7 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams

Tillie was painted in the winter of 1955. The name Tillie is supposedly an homage to George C. Tilyou, the owner of Steeplechase Park in Coney Island, New York, which was built in 1897. The Tillie "fun face" is based on a similar beaming face, which can still be seen on signs, beer labels, and merchandise all over Coney Island.

Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams

The Wonder Bar is dog-friendly, featuring a weekly Doggie Yappy Hour and the longest Dog Run in the state of New Jersey.

Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (22 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
Lance and Debbie’s Wonder Bar — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (22.7 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams

Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark

For this challenge, I decided to visit Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. I drove up to Ocean Avenue from Asbury Park, New Jersey. The road is lined with the beach homes of the wealthy. I imagine it was like driving down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. I don't know. I've never been to Beverly Hills.

To enter New York Harbor, ships need a deep channel. Until the 1900s, that meant sailing next to the shore of Sandy Hook. This gave the small peninsula a big role in the safety and defence of New York Harbor for more than a century before Fort Hancock was built.National Parl Service

Fort Hancock Museums in Monmouth County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams

Fort Hancock is a former United States Army fort at Sandy Hook in Middletown Township, New Jersey. The coastal artillery base defended the Atlantic coast and the entrance to New York Harbor, with its first gun batteries operational in 1896. Between 1874 and 1919, the adjacent US Army Sandy Hook Proving Ground was operated in conjunction with Fort Hancock. It is now part of Fort Hancock Memorial Park. It was preceded by the Fort at Sandy Hook, built 1857–1867 and demolished beginning in 1885. Wikipedia

Kessler Road and Hudson Road at Fort Hancock Museum in Monmouth County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
Fort Hancock Museum in Monmouth County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams

I arrived in the Fort Hancock, and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark and drove slowly along Kessler Road looking for an interesting subject. As I expected most of the crumbling buildings had been fenced in. The buildings are favourite subjects for photographers and curious visitors, who have in the past entered the premises and bee hurt. Many of the buildings are unsafe. I turned on Hudson Road and parked in the back of one of the Bachelor Officers' Quarters.

Bachelor Officers' Quarters at Fort Hancock Museum in Monmouth County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams

The fort was decommissioned on December 31, 1974. Since then, most of Fort Hancock has served the public as the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. The remainder of the peninsula serves as U.S. Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook.

While the recreation area is well maintained, the former buildings and officers quarters are in disrepair. The weather has battered the buildings making them uninhabitable.

Fort Hancock Museum in Monmouth County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
Bachelor Officers' Quarters at Fort Hancock Museum in Monmouth County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (35.3 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (30.2 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams
Fort Hancock Museum in Monmouth County, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (26.6 mm, f/8.0, ISO200), © Khurt-Williams

Trash is your inspiration. Tell a story or create something beautiful.

Image submitted in response to Dogwood Photography’s annual 52-week photography challenge.