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.

Hike and Hops at St. Michaels Farm Preserve

To fend off seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and get some fresh air, Bhavna and I decided that in 2019 we would find our way outside despite both hating the cold. We joined the REI co-op, bought some base layers and new jackets, hiking boots, etc. After three months of staying indoors drinking craft ales, I start to look and feel "round", especially in my mid-section.

One of the perks of joining the REI Co-op is that we get access to hammocking, hiking, biking courses etc. This past weekend Bhavana and I signed up for a beginner's hike, the Hike and Hops at St. Michael's Farm Preserve. The Lawrenceville REI Co-op organised this hike. When we awoke that morning, Bhavna and I were sure REI would cancel the walk. It had rained the night before, and the warmer air temp was melting the snow. We expected the trail would be too wet to hike. It was too wet but not so much to cancel the hike. We layered up and drove to the trailhead on Princeton Avenue to find a group of about eight people waiting in the parking lot.

Google Earth, Hopewell Township, St. Michael's Preserve
St. Michael's Farm Preserve

Some history on the property is provided by the D&R Greenway Land Trust.

Now over 400 acres, the St. Michael's property, which was preserved in 2010 and expanded in 2017, is an expanse of farm fields and forests on the edge of Hopewell Borough. From many parts of this preserve, the visitor has long views, lending the preserve a wonderful expansiveness which promotes a sense of well-being in anyone who walks its many farm roads and paths. From 1896 until 1973 this was the home of St. Michael’s Orphanage and Industrial School which was operated by the Catholic Diocese of Trenton. After the orphanage was closed, the building where the children lived and went to school was torn down and most of the land was leased to a local farmer. Before the diocese divested themselves of the property through development they offered one last chance for preservation if D&R Greenway could raise the funds to purchase the property. Over $11 million was raised, and in 2010 D&R Greenway succeeded in purchasing the land through a public/private partnership. It is now preserved as open space forever. The largest amount of the $11M purchase price for this property came from the State farmland preservation program. Six miles of farm roads provide walking trails throughout the preserve.

We met the trail guide Dan and his friend John. John lives in the area and is an educator in a local public school. Before proceeding along a soggy and muddy open field, Dan and John took turns giving an overview of the trail and history of St. Michael's Farm. We struggled to make our way back to more solid ground. Since I stopped for Bhavna to catch-up and take photos, we fell behind the rest of the group.

The trail was soggy; perhaps boggy is a better word. Our guide, Dan, had to choose alternative paths across some of the streams. On the trail, we ducked under fallen trees and scrambled over others. We forded streams with water just barely under the ankle of the shoe. Water entered Bhavna's shoes.

I'm working from home today. We both injured one out feet this weekend while on this beginner's hike. I think the issue is that we are both barefoot inside our house. We only wear shoes for work or to go hiking. For both of us, wearing shoes is an exercise in damage control. When I wear shoes outside on walks and hike along rugged terrain, my toes curl inside the shoe, trying to get a grip. This action stresses my toes. Is this the reason Westerners have such ugly feet? The feet are damaged from years of doing the opposite of what nature intended?

What made the trek worthwhile was the group's camaraderie during the hike and the post-hike Troon craft ale we drank together at the Brick Farm Tavern.

The part where we introduce ourselves but there are so many new names we almost immediately forget them. | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 17 mm | f/8.0 | ISO320 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
Waiting for the slowpoke photographer to catch up. | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 24.2 mm | f/8.0 | ISO200 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
The grassland was extremely soggy. Out boots were completely covered with mud and walking became difficult on the wet grass. | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 36.5 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
St. Michaels Farm Preserve | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO200 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
St. Michaels Farm Preserve | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
St. Michaels Farm Preserve | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO200 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
St. Michaels Farm Preserve | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
At the half-way point, Dan and John explained the route we would be taking through the forest. | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0, ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. | Williams
St. Michaels Farm Preserve | FujiFilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 37.6 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
Hike and Hops at St. Michaels Farm Preserve with REI Outdoor School | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 37.6 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
In the background, I can see John fording the stream. We followed him across a few minutes later. | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
St. Michaels Farm Preserve | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400) | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
St. Michaels Farm Preserve | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ (16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400) | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
Hike and Hops at St. Michaels Farm Preserve with REI Outdoor School | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | f/8.0 | ISO400 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
Troon Brewing Inspissated | FujiFilm X-T2 | Fujifilm XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | f/3.2 | ISO4000 | Copyright 2019-03-10 Khürt L. Williams
St. Michael’s Preserve Trail Map
St. Michael’s Preserve Trail Map

On the banks of the south branch of the Raritan River

When Frank posts his challenge for the week, I don’t usually respond until the weekend. Most of the week, I am busy with work, commuting in the dark to a location filled with ugly office buildings. Photography is only possible on weeknights.

The last few weekends and during the week, the weather has often been cold, wet, and deeply overcast. This is why I have mainly processed many recent images in monochrome. When all around me feels blah and grey, I try to capture that feeling with monochrome. But this weekend we had a change in the weather.

Osiris and Isis cried, parted the skies and called out from the Earth to Ra, the king of the gods. Ra, the god of the sun, the bringer of light, soared across the sky and made his presence known. The temperatures soared to -2ºC with hints of blue all around. I took the opportunity and drove forty-five minutes to Clinton, New Jersey.

Hunterdon Art Museum as seen from the banks of the Raritan River near the Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton, New Jersey * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I planned to spend about 45 minutes shooting the Hunterdon Art Museum from the Red Mill Museum Village located on the west bank of the South Branch of the Raritan River. I recently bought some layered clothing to help me withstand the wintry weather better than I have in the past. Before the change in weather, I had initially thought that the water near the two museums would be partially frozen and that I would get some images of how cold it’s been. But Ra’s power was too great, and although I could see some ice on the lower branches of some of the trees, by the time I arrived — around 11:30 AM — the water was primarily free-flowing.

But the skies were clear and blue, and as is often true with outdoor photography, I made do with what was available. I walked across the Main Street Bridge, stopping a few times to capture images of the Red Mill Museum Village and the Hunterdon County Art Museum. The art museum is on the opposite bank of this section of the Raritan River.

The Hunterdon Art Museum is in the heart of the quaint nineteenth-century town of Clinton. Visitors can enjoy an afternoon of shopping in unique boutique shops, dine in restaurants that feature everything from light lunch to elegant dinners, and visit the Red Mill Museum Village, where you can learn about the industrial heritage of the region, all within a stone’s throw of the Art Museum.

Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, New Jersey * Fujifilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Red Mill Museum * X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I tried to focus on shooting images of the Hunterdon County Art Museum and the Main Street Bridge. I had already captured images of the [Red Mill Museum Village] on my last visit a few years ago. But, the Red Mill Museum was too colourful to resist capturing a few images.

I walked across the main street bridge. As I approached the far eastern side of the bridge, I noticed a group had gathered on the steps that led down the river bank. Some of the ducks were gathered, waiting or hoping to be fed. I had not noticed the ducks until then. I waited for the group to disperse so that I could walk down to photograph the ducks. In the meantime, I photographed the Red Mill Museum on the other bank and the Main Street Bridge.

Main Street Bridge, Clinton, New Jersey * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Main Street Bridge, Clinton, New Jersey — FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

Built before 1880 by William and Charles Cowin, the Main Street Bridge is among a small group of metal truss bridges in the USA that use cast and wrought iron. The bridge was designed by Francis C. Lowthorp. It can be challenging to shoot long-exposure images from the Main Street Bridge. The bridge vibrates whenever a vehicle rumbles across the bridge, creating slight movements that cause ghosting and blurring in long-exposure photographs. I kept a close eye for any approaching traffic and captured my images between arrivals of vehicles.

Main Street Bridge, Clinton, New Jersey * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Red Mill Museum and Main Street Bridge, Clinton Township, New Jersey * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

When the group moved away, so did the ducks. I walked down and waited for them to return, but they did not. I settled for capturing some images of the Main Street Bridge. At this point, I was hungry, so I walked down Main Street to the Ye Olde Sub Base, a sandwich restaurant with 4.5 stars on Yelp. I ordered the Italian sub with ham, prosciuttini, capicola, salami, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, vinegar, and olive oil. Whenever I eat a sub sandwich, regardless of where I visit, I like it like this. I walked back to the car and sat to eat.

Main Street, Clinton Township, New Jersey * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Ye Olde Sub Base * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

But the thought of the ducks was calling to me. I grabbed my camera and tripod and walked back toward the art museum. I could hear the ducks. It seems the ducks only gather when they see a group of people. As I approached the end of the bridge, I called out to the group of people who had gathered. I explained what I thought was going on and asked them if they would mind waiting for me to grab a few photos. They agreed.

I got some close photos of the ducks. I carefully stepped out onto the rock, many covered in ice, to grab some close up of the ducks. They must be used to people because I got pretty close.

Ducks swimming in the ice cold water. * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Duck close up. * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Frozen water on the banks of Raritan River, Clinton Township, New Jersey * FujiFilm X-T2 * XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

I captured some images of the frozen rocks and shrubs in the water. I hope this gives an idea of how cold it was.

Now that I had captured the photos I wanted, I walked back to my car to sit and eat my sandwich. I thought about my plans for the rest of the afternoon. I wanted to stop in at Conclave Brewing to try two of their new IPA. I realised what time it was and that I needed to leave.

I shot all of my images bracketed (5 exposures), so I could get a set of photos I could choose from for post-processing. However, when editing the images in Lightroom, I tried to create a natural HDR image from one scene. I applied the Classic Chrome Fujifilm Film Simulation preset to each image before processing it as HDR. I like the result. Except for the photos of the ducks, I processed the remainder of the images as HDR.

*Created by photographer Frank Jansen, the Tuesday Photo Challenge is a weekly theme-based challenge for photographers of all kinds to share both new and old photography.