What state are we in?

 Part Three

December 23rd 2019 and another stunningly beautiful day. We bid farewell to the Brooklyn brownstones and headed south to Lambertville in New Jersey. 

Brooklyn brownstones

We took the Staten Island route, with great views from the bridges. I don't think that we took the New Jersey Turnpike, which would have enabled a 'Simon and Garfunkel' moment, but as we travelled south I sang 'America' in my head anyway. We didn't need to look for America, we had found it!

Our son was delighted to be able to use the High Occupancy Vehicle lane, designed to increase car sharing. With five of us in the car he was safely over the three person minimum requirement. 

Arriving in Lambertville we walked across the Delaware River, pausing for the obligatory photo shot on the state boundary, allowing the KHT to have a foot in both states.

What state are we in?

The views up and down the river were a joy to behold, the still river providing near perfect reflections.

Our destination was the New Hope Steam Railway and the Santa Special. I purchased a small bell from the railway gift shop that now hangs on the noticeboard above my desk - a souvenir of our visit

I was fascinated to hear that the whistle on American trains is different to British trains.

Paul and Danny went off for a quick visit the nearby brewery, while we were content to sit outside in a sheltered spot, enjoying the surprising warmth of December sunshine despite the low temperatures and  observing families dressed up in matching Christmas outfits, in a way that no English families ever would. 

So far our views had been of distant communities and worryingly named 'strip malls', which apparently had nothing to do with scantily clad persons. 

From the train we got as closer view of some American homes, through the winter-bare vegetation, allowing us to see a more relaxed way of life. 

In sheltered places snow lingered and we could see ice on smaller streams.

On the train we were serenaded with snippets of suitably seasonal songs as Santa made the rounds, handing out goodies and wishing everyone a merry Christmas. 

Back in New Hope, further explorations took us to a retail centre with a variety of stalls selling food. We made our selections only to find they had sold out, but there were plenty more counters to try. 

By now it was dark. We headed back across the Delaware River, admiring the reflections of the lights upon the relatively still water. Beside the path, a Menorah was being lit, as a rabbi looked out for lapsed Jews, eager to welcome them back to the fold.

We headed back north, towards Hamilton, pausing for a very welcome coffee at South Abingdon, appreciating the Christmas decorations that enlivened our route as we carolled through the night.

Arriving in Hamilton, it was good to finally see our son's new home, complete with Christmas lights 

The end of another fantastic day.