Jill's Journal: Our last glimpse of Delaware faded over the massive Delaware Memorial Bridge. I don’t know the exact spot George Washington forded the Delaware River during that Christmas in 1776 during the Revolutionary War, but I couldn’t help but think of that famous painting reproduced in every American history book. And in actually seeing the Delaware River, one appreciates what an undertaking it was…that river is VAST. Ridiculously wide. It takes a few minutes to drive over it, so I can’t imagine how courageous Washington and his men had to be to cross it in horrible weather, dodging chunks of ice in the snow, sleet, and rain. The men who founded this great country of ours had uncommon bravery.
And then…New Jersey. Rob has telecommuted for a Thoroughbred racing firm in Red Bank (the most darling little postcard-worthy town you can imagine) for several years, so we’ve been to the Jersey Shore area, including Atlantic City and Monmouth Park, many times. This is the posh, very exclusive Jersey Shore, not the Jersey Shore portrayed on t.v. in crazy reality shows. It’s beautiful and glamorous, ritzy and glitzy. Red Bank is actually a few miles inland on the Navesink River. On a clear day, you used to be able to see the Twin Towers in Manhattan from the river’s shore.Red Bank’s favorite son is probably Kevin Smith and he’s filmed scenes for some of his best-known movies here: Chasing Amy, Dogma, and one of the Jay and Silent Bob movies. Jon Bon Jovi’s estate is on a road going out of the town and Bruce Springsteen used to be right there also, but he’s supposedly moved. (I don’t stalk these people – I only know this from proud locals! Well, truth be told, I did take a picture of Bon Jovi’s house one time...)
Every time we come here, we experience culture shock for a day or two. The few people we know in New Jersey are warm and wonderful as can be, but the prevalent New Jersey attitude is a far cry from what we’re used to in Kentucky. (Wow, that makes me sound like a hick!) Everyone here is always in a rush and people are very aggressive in every way, which is apparent the moment one crosses the state line and hops on the New Jersey Turnpike. Many people back home still refer to people from this area as Yankees...and I don’t think it’s a compliment. It’s all about the attitude. :)
1 comment:
Hey Jill,
Where Washington actually crossed the Delaware is nowhere near as wide as where you crossed! I grew up 5-10 minutes from the site. The national park was, unfortunately, closed a few years ago but has since been reopened by Friends of Washington Crossing Park! See: http://www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/index.htm
My hometown of Yardley, PA is about an hour from Monmouth Park, for reference. It's a beautiful part of the country.
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