Mt. Holly, NJ

Mt. Holly is another historic city near Karen. Again, lots of cool doors and churches and other buildings too.

I love this door to a church that will show up later in this post.

Even back in the 1800's they built duplexes. Well, sort of. It's interesting that even though the houses are built right together, the bricks are different.

Another door that got my attention.

If I remember correctly this is a Presbyterian church.

A side door to the above church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. It has one stone attached to it with a date of 1775. A stone built into it has a date of 1883 or 1863. I had a hard time figuring it out.

I love the spires on this church. I need to find out the name of the church.

Recognize the door?

This is the Burlington County Court House built in 1796. Samuel Lewis was the architect.

Moorestown, NJ

Wednesday was a day for checking out some of the towns around where Karen lives. After a second visit to the chiropractor (I wanted to bring him home with me), we headed to The Pie Lady. We had to see if she baked pies as tasty as Karen's. I can't say for sure either way because it is hard to compare a pecan pie to one I've never tasted. I'm sure though, that Karen's would be better. After that we walked around town so I could capture some of the wonderful architecture, local art and doors. This city is a paradise if you like to photograph those kinds of things.

First church is the Baptist Church. If I remember correctly, part of it was built in 1847.

The there is the Catholic Church. There is a guy working way up there on that fancy stuff before the steeple becomes pointy. Let me tell you, that was high. There is not enough money in this world to pay me to do that.

This cross was atop of the Catholic church until a couple of years ago when it was replaced by the current one. They refurbished it and made this nice little prayer garden next to the church.This is a needle work shop. Karen dragged me in there kicking and screaming (NOT) and I found a really cool pattern I could not live without. Yes, it is started but ...
Across the street was the very picturesque Trinity Episcopal Church established in 1837. It has the neatest doors and a wonderful cemetery where we wondered for a long time. Also had some really pretty flowers. I'd love to see the inside of this church.

Notice the dates. Now that I'm looking at the name, I'm wondering if this lady or her family had anything to do with the naming of Hainesport.

I had never seen foot stones for grave sites before. Those are the smaller stones and each one has the initials of the person.

Didn't I tell you it had great doors?!?!

This passage way from one part of the building to another creates a really neat window to the courtyard.

This is the door for an interior design shop. I love the wood work around it. They just don't build things like that any more. I was thrilled that I managed to keep myself out of the picture on this one.

They don't build buildings like this any more either. And the grounds are so pretty.

There were a couple decorated dogs around town. I think they had done a contest/exhibit a year or so back and this was one of the ones that had been purchased and adorned the corner of the yard above. It has multiple buildings from the town painted on it. I love it! So much fun. We had seen another one done with a mosaic look using colored glass.

Moorestown is a really nice town. I could roam around it again and probably take a ton more pictures of houses and who knows what.

Ephrata, PA

I have a quilter friend, Howdy, who now lives in PA. We decided it would be great to get together seeing that I was so close. So my friend Karen and I headed over there Tuesday. Howdy lives in a wonderful mid-1800's stone house. I love it. Well, I must admit the steps to the 2nd and 3rd floors were tough. (I had sprained my ankle back on Friday so I was hobbling around.)

Howdy was gracious enough to take us to a wonderful quilt shop and several antique shops. Plus we ate at a couple of wonderful restaurants too.

I have this thing for covered bridges so she made a little detour so I could photograph this one.

The whole area is dotted with wonderful farms. Not the best picture here but it gives an idea of what the scenery was.

And yes, Ephrata is in Amish country. Couldn't miss taking a picture of the horse and buggy. Not bad for taking it out the front window on the move.

Thanks Howdy, for a great day. Hopefully we can do it again.

Cape May, NJ

We spend the afternoon of Day 1 in Cape May which in on the southern end of NJ. Another very picturesque city. This was taken from the beach looking back to the shore.


Looking north back toward the city. Here the beach is very sandy.

This is a little further south on the tip of NJ. The beach turns stony here.

Some of the stones are called Cape May Diamonds. They look very much like a diamond when polished and cut like a diamond.

I love this picture.

This is a WWII lookout tower very near the beach at the southern tip.

One of the churches in the downtown on the main street.

I just love this house.

Sure wish I could remember what kind of church this on is but I really liked it. If you keep up with my next few posts where I post pics of my vacation, you will notice I really like to photography churches.

Wouldn't this look wonderful in my backyard? I think so.

Another couple of really neat houses we came across while meandering around the city.

Ocean City, NJ

This was the first whole day of my vacation. This is a very picturesque city. On a clear day, you can see forever; on a foggy day, you can't.

When you go to the Boardwalk here, you must stop at Shriver's and watch them make salt water taffy. Buying some to eat is secondary. ha ha

Lunch was a double pork roll on a bun ( a boardwalk delight). No cheese on mine.

And for dessert, a dish of gelati -- Italian ice cream. OH YUMMMMM! If I remember correctly I had 1/2 pistachio and 1/2 banana. It was huge and I only ordered a regular size. I would have taken a picture of the dish but it needed my undivided attention immediately.

Vacation is history

I'm back in GR this afternoon after a wonderful vacation in NJ/PA. I spent over a week with a really good friend in NJ. We really kept the road hot. Visited PA twice -- once to see a quilter friend, Cheryl in Amish country and once to visit Longwood Gardens. Thanks Cheryl for a wonderful day and for helping me enhance my stash (4 yards bought -- YTD negative 11.63 yds).

I also met up with Elaine, another quilter friend, for another wonderful day. Thanks Elaine for a great tour of the area and a fabulous lunch. We talked about the tearoom and lunch several times since.

It was so great to hook up with long-time quilt friends. Thanks Karen for being a wonderful hostess, cook, opponent, photographer assistant, chauffeur and tour guide. I loved every minute (even the game when you beat me to pulp) and am looking forward to another visit some day. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to your visit this way.

I took hundreds of pictures of which I'll post some in days to come.

Tomorrow -- back to real life.

Spring!

Today was a beautiful day. Still is, in fact. A friend and I went to a little city east of here, Grand Ledge, to check out a little quilt show they were having in conjunction with their Victorian Day. The quilts were quite nice but the park by the Grand River was beautiful.

We stopped at one of my favorite quilt shops on the way back. I think it is now her favorite shop. What is so cool is that during this tough economy, they are doubling the size of their shop. The owners said their business has been great. It is always good to hear some good news.