From Old Slip to Table Green

Tuesday Photo Challenge – Lift by jansenphotojansenphoto (Dutch goes the Photo!)

Bringing us up higher

On Tuesday I brought my camera to the office, and despite the 28ºC weather and 96% humidity, I took it out on a walk along South Street from Old Slip stopping at the lower end of Battery Park. I was feeling a bit down on my luck and had hopes that discovery would lift my spirit.

I stopped while this gentleman, Mark Derho, was taking a selfie with his bicycle. We got to talking and it turns out Mark is a successful businessman. He used to work in IT, but also built a successful bicycle shop business. Mark is looking to expand his work with bicycles. He has commissioned a bicycle, built by a friend, which he intends to use in a bicycle rental business in Puerto Rico. I offered to take some photos which he may use in his social media campaign.

FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 20 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 42.7 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 44.1 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200
Near South Ferry Station—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 37.6 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200

Near South Ferry Station, passengers exiting the subway can take a lift up to the ground level.

Near South Ferry Station—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200

I found a beer garden, The Beer Garden, which is about a ten-minute walk from Old Slip. Next time I'm in Manhattan (Tuesday or Thursday of next week), I think I'll check it out as well as the Battery Gardens.

The Beer Garden—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200

Two years ago, when I turned 50, I wanted to wait for the spring (I’m a November baby) to have a picnic in the park with burgers, beers and brats — a growler of Troon (before the lines), a growler of Flounder, and a growler of Conclave, some quality sausage from the Polish market in Trenton Farmers’ Market. New Jersey laws do not allow the consumption of alcohol of any kind in public parks or beaches. I could not find a single park in Somerset, Mercer, or Hunterdon County that would allow beer. So ... I never had the party.

Table Green Café—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200

As I walked through the park I noticed the sign offering beer and food at this little cafe. I walked over and talked to the cashier.

Me: Can I really order a beer here?
Cashier: Yes.

She explained that as long as I stayed within the confines — there are no walls or barricades at Table Green & Table Green Café — of the area I could drink my beer from the open container.

It seems in New York City the attitude is "Behave like an adult. Control yourself. If you can't, one of these armed folks in blue will help you out". Why can't we have this in New Jersey?

Table Green—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 23.4 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200
Table Green—Table Green—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200
FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200
SeaGlass Carousel, State Street, New York, NY—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 24.2 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200

I did not enter the SeaGlass Carousel. What caught my eye was the way the stripes in this person’s dress matched the stripes in the awning.

Statue Cruises—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200

The young woman on the left, if you look closely you can see that her feet lifted off the ground completely. Just my guess but I assume they were running to catch one of the ferries.

Do you know where you\'re running to?—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm, f/5.6 , ISO 200

Beach Haus Brewery

Before we left Belmar, Bhavna reminded me that Beach Haus Brewery is located on Main Street. I could not resist. I had to visit.

It took us longer than we expected to get to the brewery. Bhavna thought that we should drive down the length of Ocean Avenue, but I wanted to use Apple Maps. The mapping software took us on what felt like a circuitous route. However, we arrived at the correct spot. Apple Maps had taken us along a more scenic route along Shark River.

Beach Haus Brewery
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 36.5 mm | 18000 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200

From the outside, we could see the inside. The brewery is all glass. The inside is decorated in an understated industrial style with stained picnic tables along one side.

Beach Haus Brewery
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 24.9 mm | 1350 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200

Our friendly greeter explained some details about the brewery and told us to head upstairs to the taproom.

Beach Haus Brewery merch
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 29.2 mm | 160 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 500

The retail area offered some brewery swag for sale.

A group of men were off to one side, finishing up what appeared to be a craft ale tasting party.

indoor picnic
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 28.3 mm | 1/1400 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200

I continued to explore the brewery with my camera. The second floor was decorated similarly to the first floor—more bench-style seating. We could see the outdoor rooftop patio but did not go outside. Something to explore on our next trip in late summer or early fall.

Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 28.3 mm | 1200 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200
beer menu
The Menu | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 160 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 640

I had a flight of the following:
* Test Dept.™ New England IPA (Mosaic and Citra)
* Test Dept.™ New England IPA Featuring Huell Melon And Mandarina Bavaria Hops
* Test Dept.™ New England IPA (Merkur & El Dorado Hops)
* American Pale Ale (unfiltered With Mosaic And Citra Hops)

I also tried a sip of the Test Dept.™ Grapefruit Radler that Bhavna had in her flight. I loved the Radler and the mosaic and Citra New England IPA. We got a six-pack and four-pack of each to take home.

Bradley Beach

The clouds are mostly gone and we can feel the sun. Finally!

After lunch at FINS Tropical Cuisine, we drove on 2nd Avenue toward Bradley Beach. We parked on Ocean Avenue and crossed the street to enter the beach.

One thing I don’t like about New Jersey is that one must pay to access the beach. It just feels wrong. The rationale is that the beach must be cleaned and maintained, and the fees help with the cost of that. Ok, fine, but it also pays for the salaries of people like this woman pictured who collect the beach access fees. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to install a turnstile? In states like California, the beach is public access and are a part of the state parks system. New Jersey could do the same and ensure that ALL New Jersey residents, not just the ones who can afford the $9 fee. Some beaches in New Jersey are free. Belmar and Avon-on-the-Sea, and Bradley Beach are not among them.

beach scene
Lawn | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | 1200 sec at f/16 | ISO 200
seagull
beach rat | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1240 sec at f/16 | ISO 200

The clouds were mostly gone, and we could feel the sunlight. Finally!

Bhavna
Bhavna, Bradley Beach | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1/1400 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200

It’s a beach scene.

chairs | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 13500 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200

We set up our beach chairs and sat down to enjoy the smell and sound of the ocean, the warmth of sunlight on our skins, and the salty sea breeze.

treasure hunter | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 13200 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200
peace | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 32.1 mm | 13200 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200

The day didn’t start on a good note, but it turned out better than I expected. I had a few hours to chat with my family and forget about work. My only regret is that we didn’t do this earlier in the summer and that our daughter, Kiran, could not join us.

beach scene
Hat | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 13200 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200
The Bradley Beach Trio?
The Bradley Beach Trio? | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 33.2 mm | 1800 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 200