Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk 2019 in New Hope & Lambertville

It was a beautiful day for a photo walk and a great way to spend a day hanging out with old friends and new acquaintances, chatting and talking about gear and light and places we visited or want to visit. It was a photo geek day.

My friend Ed picked me at my home on his way to the event. I am still not able to drive, and I was very appreciative of this kind gesture from Ed. Being able to get out from the "prison" of my home and bathe in the crisp autumn air and bright blue sky was exciting.

Ed and I talked about cars and cameras on the forty-minute drive to the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad meetup point. We parked outside Triumph Brewing, where we sat and dined on a lunch of German-style beer and Wienerschnitzel and Jaegerschnitzel. Triumph Brewing was celebrating Oktoberfest with German-themed food and served nothing but German ales.

After lunch, Ed and I walked around to the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad. Vintage trains run along the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad to the nearby town of Lahaska, Pennsylvania. Many years ago when my kids were still in diapers and pull-ups, we spent a lot of time walking around New Hope and riding the train, which was especially exciting when Thomas the Tank Engine came to town.

Wienerschnitzel at Triumph Brewing — 5 October 2019 — Apple iPhone 11 Pro + iPhone 11 Pro back camera 6mm f/2
“Triumph Brewing” — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

A few photo walk participants were already waiting on the platform and taking photos of the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad train #40, as it slowly pulled into the station.

5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

Our walk leader, Ken Kavanagh, introduced himself, gave the walking group and overview of the town, our walk route and passed around a signup sheet for the "after walk" dinner at The Dubliner Irish pub on the Delaware River. I this particular aspect of photo walks, especially when it involves beer. I get to spend more time chatting about gear and reviewing the days catch with fellow photo geeks.

Despite being small towns, New Hope (Pennsylvania) and Lambertville (New Jersey) can be a popular weekend destination for people from nearby towns, Philadelphia and as far away as Delaware and New York City. Both have managed to retain the early pre and post-colonial character and charm.

5 October 2019 — Apple iPhone 11 Pro + iPhone 11 Pro back triple camera 1.54mm f/2.4
5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

The streets and sidewalks can get crowded and I was concerned about how well I could navigate the photo walk with my double vision. I stuck close to Ed and the walking group.

Our first stop was an antique store on York Road. Ken had arranged with the property owner for our group to walk around. This was my least favourite of the locations we visited. Just before we started here, I switched lens from my Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR to my Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42 vintage lens. It seemed appropriate given the subject matter. Photographing with this lens is more challenging. I had to manual focus for every shot. This was easier with the focus peaking on the Fuji X-T2 but still more challenging than autofocus. I shot with this lens set at f/5.6 the rest of the photo walk.

The dirt and grime on this window is perhaps as old as the contents of the building. — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42
Skullduggey? — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

After the antique shop - the rest of the group stayed there longer than Ed and I wanted - we walked down Bridge Street toward the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge.

Selling shit. — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42
Sidewalk — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42
Bridge Street Inn — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

Ed and I spent some good time on the bridge. Ed was trying to photograph reflections in the water while I focused on practising my street photography on people crossing the bridge.

And every little word you say — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42
Shady Characters — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42
Your rhythm keeps my heart in time — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

We crossed the bridge into Lambertville and slowly made our way toward Union Street walking past the Lambertville Station and Pasha Rugs.

Lamberville Station — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42
Coffee Book — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

We turned left onto Union Street and continued toward Coryell Street. We walked past Caffe Galleria and people having coffee and tea, and a man on the street sitting with a super cute dachshund. I asked and received his permission to photograph him and his dog.

Tea Time — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

Ed and I stopped for a bit to admire the doors on some of the homes. Yes, doors.

The Black Door — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42
The Red Door — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

At the corner of Union and Coryell Streets, we stopped to admire the architecture of this yellow house. We turned right onto Church Street, and headed east toward North Main Street, walked down Main Street back toward Church Street and Union Street.

Coryell Street. — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

We headed back to New Hope to meet up at the Dubliner for dinner and ale.

The Dubliner — 5 October 2019 — FujiFilm X-T2 + Asahi SMC Takumar 28mm f/3.5 M42

A Short Walk on the Stonebridge Trails

Yesterday I walked the Stonebrodge Trails with Bhavana. I've hiked or walked many of the trails in the area around Hopewell, Princeton, Hillsborough, and Montgomery including Van Horne Park Trail, Devil's Half Acre, Autumn Hill Reserve,Institute Woods Trails, D&R Canal Park Trail, Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve Trail, St. Michaels Farm Preserve, etc. Most of the trails in Montgomery Township were cleared and created by the Montgomery Friends of Open Space (MFOS) and D&R Greenway Land Trust.

Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.025 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams

Bhavna has had problems with a heel spur in her right foot. She's been in pain for several weeks, but she wanted to get out of the house. I wanted to capture trail images for Frank's weekly challenge. I remembered that Stonebridge Trails were mostly flat terrain that could be easy on her foot. She was hesitant but agreed to come with me. Neither one of us has walked the trail.

The trail wraps around the Stonebridge at Montgomery senior living community. We parked in the lot next to the Montgomery 1860's house. We did not find the trailhead, which we later discovered was near the entrance to the 1860's property but found a way onto the trail from behind the red barn.

Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.005 sec at f/5.6, ISO200), © Khürt L. Williams

We took a wrong turn at the fork in the trail, and I think, ended up going southeast toward the D& R Canal toward Rocky Hill. The trail was muddy. We turned around and returned to the fork to go the other direction.

Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.014 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams

Some of the trails are part of a paved loop walkway which I think was built for Stonebridge. It's early summer, and most of the spring wildflowers have since disappeared. However, I did find small islands of colour among the ocean of green.

Bhavna's pain threshold was breached 30 minutes into the walk, so we took the abbreviate trail and headed back to the car.

Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.000 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (55 mm, 0.006 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams
Stonebridge Trails, Montgomery Township, Skillman, New Jersey —FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (36.5 mm, 0.001 sec at f/5.6, ISO400), © Khürt L. Williams

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