Day Trip to Burlington City, NJ

Burlington-Bristol Bridge

Burlington City, 

a city, but not in the sense of 

NYC, Chicago or Philadelphia. 

Looking down High Street from Pearl Blvd. 

BC is much smaller. 

It boasts a waterfront.,

is packed with historic structures, 

offers trolley service and

is commutable to Philadelphia. 

What more could a city offer?

Well, to be honest, 

there is a LOT of potential here.  

But first, to really make a comeback, 

there needs to be attention given to the TRASH everywhere. 

Why?!  Why are humans such slobs? 

Other than that, 

there was quite a bit of renovation going on to the

housing in walking distance of the main street 

lined with many shops and restaurants.  

There are still vacant buildings 

but the vibe feels like 

things are about to change for this city. 

View of the Delaware River from the Riverfront Promenade 

You could spend a day here exploring the shops, 

walking the waterfront,

taking in the historic architecture 

and treating yourself to something to eat. 

Just remember to pick up your trash. 

Oy. 

For more images click here. 

Small Town Surprise: Hamburg, PA

I love this small Americana town: 

Hamburg, PA

Named by Pennsylvania Germans after Hamburg, Germany.

This Berks County small town is big on charm. 

It has a historic district of over 400 buildings! 

That's a lot of charm. 

There's also railroad charm at the 

Reading Railroad Heritage Museum 

which is sure to please the railroad buff. 

But the most charming spot I found was the 

Adams and Bright Drug Store c.1902

which installed a soda fountain in 1927.

This Adams and Bright Drug Store retains so much of the old time feel 

with valuable shelf space 

reserved for antique pharmaceutical paraphernalia. 

Other shelves are lined with candies, 

small gifts, toys and sundries. 

I just loved it there. 

In the very back you can get your 

modern day prescriptions filled. 

Why in the world would you go to 

CVS or Walgreens? 

While there, I didn't have a fountain soda, 

but I did have Heisler's ice cream 

in a waffle cone. 

Yum. 

(Due to Covid, there is no indoor seating, 12/20.)

This town is uniquely located 

near Cabella's, Yuengling Brewery, 

the Appalachian Trail, the Schuylkill River

and lots of state game lands 

near the Pocono foothills. 

So there are lots of outdoor activities nearby.

Get yourself to Hamburg and visit the Adams and Bright Drug Store 

for a fountain soda.

Adams and Bright

306 State Street
Hamburg, PA 19526

The Town That Almost Went Ghost

If you look up Main Street in Julian and use your imagination 

you can see the makings of a western ghost town here. 

Main Street, Julian, CA

This town began in the 1870s with the one and only San Diego Gold Rush

but it didn't die with it. 

Those pioneers stayed and began farming...apples. 

Apples saved Julian. 

Me With Some Julian Hot Cider

Well, apples and location. 

Located in the mountains 

Julian offers hiking and off-roading trails. 

Surrounded by reservations it also 

offers a nearby casino. 

Pioneer Cemetery

But it seems all those people make their way into Julian for apple pie. 

Julian is famous for its apple pie so of course we had to buy one. 

I was quite the skeptic - 

thinking this is just a tourist ploy - 

but the apple pie was the best I have had. 

Shop Signs, Julian, CA

In historic Julian, 

quaint and interesting shops fill the old buildings. 

There are plenty of options for dining as well. 

An Old Soda Fountain on Main Street

As much as I would have liked to visit a real ghost town, 

Julian was quaint and tasty enough to keep us happy. 

Heading Back to San Diego and Warmth

We visited from San Diego 

and failed to keep in mind the difference altitude would make in the weather.  

We were cold so we put on everything we had with us! 

Keeping Warm With Hot Cider

And the last photo I have to add because dirty Jeeps were everywhere in Julian. 

We passed them the whole way on the route into town. 

Jeeps and RVs. 

I loved this one with the little dog on the driver's lap. 

Man and His Little Dog

Julian is an hour east of San Diego and makes a good day trip. 

For more images of Julian, 

visit my online gallery. 

Social Connections: 

Ambler: The Little Town that Could

Table for Two, Bridgette's, Ambler, PA

There was a time when 

I had no interest in Ambler - 

the suburban town near where I live.  

That was 1991. 

Trax Cafe, Ambler, PA

But somewhere between 1991 and today
Ambler re-invented itself.


Art in the Storefront, The Old Ambler Department Store

Introduce
salons
 music
theater
and food...
lots of food
and wine.

Ambler Theater, Ambler, PA 

And now Ambler is quite a hot little spot 

in the Philly suburban scene. 

Coming Home, Ambler Train Station, Ambler, PA

It's a town that has successfully reinvented itself.
Today, you'll find me there pretty much weekly. 

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

The Lantern 
Packer Row, Jim Thorpe, PA 

I am a daydreamer...
and there is something about
small villages and old towns
that ignite those dreams.


Windows in a Row 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

I daydream of living
in such a place,
but could I?
A place where everyone knows my name.


The Village Below 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

There is some comfort in that,
but many times I prefer to be in my little world:
an unknown observer.


Yes, I Could Fix This Up...Or Not 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

I think I should let the mystery
of small towns stir in my imagination
and enjoy the anonymity of suburbia.


Seating for Two 
Jim Thorpe, PA 

After all, why mess with a good dream?

The Party's Here! Where I am linking these days.

            

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