 |
| The Road To Pond Eddy |
Though
some might not know it, the Pond Eddy Bridge is a destination, the
drive there, walking across the bridge taking you back to far simpler
times. The PA. DOT seems to have just three options they are willing to
consider right now, and none of the three are acceptable. Their first,
and probably preferred option is to just tear the bridge down and
replace it...the fact that said bridge is on the Federal Registry of
Historic Landmarks makes that option a tricky one.
 |
| Greek Orthodox Church |
Their
second option would be to buy the people on the Pennsylvania side of
the bridge out, relocate them...to where? With all due respect, if you
walk across the bridge, make a right and walk down till you come to the
old tracks, you would realize you cannot put a price on the beauty,
solitude and serenity those people have right outside their front or
back doors. How would you propose to make someone whole if you took
their property through imminent domain? Yes, they are pretty isolated,
but guessing they want it that way, enjoy the sound of the river passing
by, enjoy the silent beauty of a walk down the tracks, perhaps picking
berries along the way.
The
third option would be to give the bridge to someone willing to MOVE IT
so that they can build another new ugly bridge in its place, and in the
process destroy the quiet solitude and beauty that is that special
place...and for what? Why would a bridge of four lanes need to be
built? Why would a bridge capable of supporting heavy trucks need to be
built where a romantic one lane bridge has more than sufficed for
decades upon decades?...perhaps to open the land up for development, or
worse, fracking? What about what the people on the two sides of the
bridge want?
Pond Eddy, the bridge, the surrounding area are a very special place, a
place of history, a rare space of pristine beauty, quiet and
peaceful...all rare commodities in these times in which we live. Pond
Eddy is a place where I could see myself living. As I write, find
myself wishing I had the money to buy up the old Motel and Pizza place,
restoring them both, perhaps putting in a small walk up window where
people could stop in for a soft serve cone and to ask directions. The
slow pace would suit me, could see myself snuggling in for the winter,
maybe writing a book, or taking my camera and driving up the road a
piece in the hopes of catching a Bald Eagle on its own winter sojourn.
To know Pond Eddy, to spend some time there is to love it, to recognize
it as the special destination that it is. I would encourage all those
who hold the bridges fate in their hands to take a nice slow drive to
the bridge. Roll down your windows and drive slowly, leaving rushing to
others as you take the time to take everything in, stopping the car at
the sound of water, or slowing down further to admire the flock of wild
turkeys meandering along the edge of the woods. When you arrive at the
bridge, park your car across from it, and walk across the bridge,
stopping between the two spans to hear the water, the birds, the wind.
Once on the other side, revel in the silence as water splashes down the
rock face on the left, towering trees shading you from the heat. Walk
up onto the track and look off into the distance in both directions and
you can almost hear the train whistle as history whispers in your ear.
Pond Eddy, the bridge are more than the sum of their parts, and the magic that is the place should be saved.
It is OFFICIAL...with attendance this past Saturday in Pond Eddy of fifty people, including representatives of two National Environmental Organizations, efforts to save the Pond Eddy Bridge can officially be called a movement.
2. The state of Pennsylvania could extend a road into the small community that lives on the Pennsylvania side of the river, a solution that would cost less money, and avoid impacting the fragile ecosystem of the Delaware River.
There
is a whole lot going on tomorrow, including "Spring Gardening Day"
where groups all over Sullivan County with the help of Sullivan
Renaissance will be working on spring gardening projects...my morning
will be spent gardening over in Rock Hill.
Though
some might not know it, the Pond Eddy Bridge is a destination, the
drive there, walking across the bridge taking you back to far simpler
times. The PA. DOT seems to have just three options they are willing to
consider right now, and none of the three are acceptable. Their first,
and probably preferred option is to just tear the bridge down and
replace it...the fact that said bridge is on the Federal Registry of
Historic Landmarks makes that option a tricky one. 
Their
second option would be to buy the people on the Pennsylvania side of
the bridge out, relocate them...to where? With all due respect, if you
walk across the bridge, make a right and walk down till you come to the
old tracks, you would realize you cannot put a price on the beauty,
solitude and serenity those people have right outside their front or
back doors. How would you propose to make someone whole if you took
their property through imminent domain? Yes, they are pretty isolated,
but guessing they want it that way, enjoy the sound of the river passing
by, enjoy the silent beauty of a walk down the tracks, perhaps picking
berries along the way.
The
third option would be to give the bridge to someone willing to MOVE IT
so that they can build another new ugly bridge in its place, and in the
process destroy the quiet solitude and beauty that is that special
place...and for what? Why would a bridge of four lanes need to be
built? Why would a bridge capable of supporting heavy trucks need to be
built where a romantic one lane bridge has more than sufficed for
decades upon decades?...perhaps to open the land up for development, or
worse, fracking? What about what the people on the two sides of the
bridge want?
Pond Eddy, the bridge are more than the sum of their parts, and the magic that is the place should be saved.
FERNDALE – Volunteers from many communities throughout
Sullivan County will be “getting out and gardening” this Saturday, May 19. Residents are particularly needed to help at
work days in three communities – Woodridge, Wurtsboro and Swan Lake – but many
communities have work days planned.
Residents are also encouraged to tend to their own gardens on this day.
This past week I went to the Monticello Greenhouse, picked out some beautiful plants, and came home to our small hamlet to create two beautiful planters for either side of my apartment door; wanting to contribute to the beautification of our small hamlet here in Mountaindale. 
Thought it would be nice to share with our readers some of my own favorite photographs from the day, take you the reader along the same journey I made today as I reconnected with the earth, nature, and the wonderful bounty found along the trails edge between Mountaindale and Woodridge. It really is a beautiful place to spend and afternoon just strolling through the woods listening to the sounds, and taking in the sites that only Mother Nature can create.
Was able to get a picture of the more subdued female gold finch, but the much brighter male was not being one bit cooperative. Not a problem, as that gives me an excuse to go out on another sojourn sooner rather than later. One bird picture I took I could use some help in identifying, so if any one recognizes this next bird can you leave its identification in a comment below? It has a beautiful slate gray cap atop its head, with the body a lighter shade of gray all over, and it's size is similar to that of say a cardinal, maybe just a titch bit bigger, but not near as large of girth as a bluejay is.
Last but certainly not least, some of the flora spotted along the way. If you find yourself with a hour or so to spare, or are just wanting to get out and enjoy Mother Nature, the Mountaindale to Woodridge segment of the "Rails to Trails" makes for a great little walk with plenty of beautiful sites along the way. Make sure to bring yourself a bottle of water, or even a little snack...and please carry out everything that you bring in so that our trail stays beautiful and pristine for those who walk in our footsteps on another day.
Project 332 is dedicated to making it possible for more children attend Frost Valley YMCA programming. Project
332's goal is to help more than 332 children who would otherwise not be
able to experience all that Frost Valley has to offer....What could be a more worthwhile cause than helping send a kid to camp?
The Hummingbirds are back in Mountaindale, and the hummingbird feeders have started appearing all along Main Street as our small hamlet's summertime "Dance of The Hummingbirds" begins. If you are a photographer and looking for a chance to photograph these magical creatures, a drive into Mountaindale for the day is a great way to get some fabulous shots. As a bonus we also have a slew of bluebirds that call our community home.