July 27 Crossing the Delaware

July 27

Memorial to Washington crossing the Delaware

After no sleep and brief sunrise run to the river front in Philly, it was time to move on.  Last night, I was rained in, so after some mapping, I discovered how close Trenton, NJ is - and that reminded me of the great Christmas Day story when Washington's surprise attacked the Hessian mercenaries!  His timing was a bit delayed - and the fear of losing the surprise attack effect was doubtful - but his troops pulled it off!  It was definitely a needed morale boost - though this was before the horrific winter at Valley Forge we all know about. 

This journy is really chronologically messed up -
1860s, winter 1777, Spring 1776, May 1787, Christmas 1776..next stop in Boston will bring me to 1770's and ending this adventure with 1775. 

The national park is located in Taylorsville, settled after Washington's crossing.  It is absolutely lovely.  Charming, charming, charming!  Foot/narrow car bridge will get you across the Delaware to New Jersey.  Absolutely a lovely park, colonial bed and breakfast, and quaint shops.

Single Car/Foot Bridge crossing the Delaware River

I should have appreciated the serenity longer because the hours that followed were nothing but traffic enroute to Natick, Massachusetts!  My friend, Garmin, took me along I 95 North through NYC !!!!  Not sure if that was the best route.  Focusing on traffic and the Empire State Building was tricky.  She guided me into the Bronx, but she pulled me through.  Ours is a relationship built on trust.  Again, NYC is just a drive by....Someday...  Pennsylvania drivers have been the nicest, Connecticut's the most crazy, and Massachusett's Turn Pike, east of I 84, is absolutely gorgeous.  I arrived at Carol and Rob's a bit late, cracked open my first patriotic Sam Adams beer... ahhhh, time for some r & r with my family.