October 21, 2020
As I am wont to do, I spent my birthday far away–far from obligations to others and doing exactly what brings me joy. This joy will be the subject matter of the next posts as I packed my itinerary so full of wonder–battling the year’s chaos, upheaval and misery. It’d Read more…
September 29, 2020
Last time I went to Red Bank’s Good Karma Cafe was 2011. That is like six lifetimes ago. I was glad to see they were thriving despite the pandemic. I received great service as I fumbled about with describing my distinct craving. In the end the counter guy helped me Read more…
The decaying Brooksbrae Terracotta Brick Factory sits over the railroad tracks along Pasadena Woodmanse Road in the tiny New jersey town of Pasadena. Though the location is in Google Maps, the directions brings you to a dead end of residential homes. Upon my arrival, oddly, there was a man in the road Read more…
More New Jersey, because I really needed the diversions this past weekend. I wanted to check out Double Trouble State Park for a couple of reasons. For one, it has that lovely dark, damp and piney ecology being part of the Pine Barrens watershed. It’s the kind of place where Read more…
September 28, 2020
Ocean City, New Jersey has some vegan gems. One gem, Heart Beet Kitchen, is located just a block from the boardwalk and has easy walk-up ordering with plenty of outdoor seating. On this grey, misty day I’d take my meal in my car on my way outta town. The crispy Read more…
What I love about shore towns is that they’re often like carnivals that stay permanently. And if they’re not there permanently, chances are I’d enjoy them even more wandering around their decay. Vintage, kitsch and color: 💜🧡💚 in Ocean City, New Jersey. I’m putting this here to remember to come Read more…
I think I’d make a pretty good lighthouse keeper. In fact, on my bucket list: staying overnight at one and/or being a temporary keeper. Till then, enjoy these vivid shots of New Jersey’s East Point Lighthouse in Heislerville, New Jersey, which is not available for overnight stays. Built in 1849 Read more…
Hidden at the end of Southern New Jersey is the mostly abandoned resort town of Seabreeze. Though easily accessible, the gorgeous coast facing Delaware was desolate save for some fisherman. An interesting stop with haunting views, it is a great place to explore for that isolated post-apocalypse feel.
Emblematic of our nation’s doctrine of expansion, the train was opportunistic engineering at a grand scale. But now their metal parts are often strewn about defying nature in striking ways that I like to photograph. Metal graveyards, like this on Staten Island, are alluring to me in this way. I Read more…
As the seasons change the Earth presents us with different flowers… such the romantic. So where I gaped upon tulips in the Spring I’d bask within sunflowers at Summer’s end, patting my behind into Autumn. And let’s just thank goodness Autumn is so beautiful, making the heartache of Summer’s end Read more…
With a long weekend ending several long arduous weeks, I decided to run away. The time away with my thoughts would help me process some unexpected and heartbreaking news. Within a concentrated deliberation and emotional exploration, my trip south carried me through a couple of stages of grief for the Read more…
June 1, 2020
Alongside Campbell’s Pond on the South Mountain Reservation is an old pumping station, which used to help move larger quantities of water with an increased pressure to area residents. But it has been long abandoned. It was a must as we explored some the treasures along the trails about the Read more…
May 31, 2020
With some itineraries including the exploration of Ghost Towns in Pennsylvania and Nevada, I am starting a new Urban Exploration category with this first post about an abandoned village in New Jersey: Feltville. The remains of the this village established in 1845 lies within the Watchung Reservation in Berkeley Heights, Read more…
April 15, 2020
Of course I had to throw in a couple of macabre stops while I was in New Jersey for its beautiful tulip fields. After a quick recon mission at the still partially functioning Trenton State Hospital, now Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, I deemed it worthy for a return at a later Read more…
April 14, 2020
I was very much looking forward to tulip season. I had put Holland Ridge’s Tulip Festival on my calendar well in advance. Then, Coronavirus happened, cancelling many events at one of the most magical times of the year: Spring. But if I traveled all the way to the Netherlands to Read more…
February 4, 2020
What a nice and random treat to see this sign on my way back south on the Palisades Parkway! After a long day of exploration, a quick and no-hassle vegan bite right off the parkway is just what I needed. The Sunoco Palisade South in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey boast Read more…
August 12, 2019
Officially one of my Favorite Things, I wanted to remind you all of the evocative beauty of the Swing Ride. These are from the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, Morey’s Pier in Wildwood, New Jersey, and Adventureland in Farmingdale, New York. The latter two are of my youth, where the Read more…
August 8, 2019
So excited that there is a Cinnaholic location on the East Coast! I visited their all-vegan all-cinnamon bun bakery in Berkeley, California and thought it was an amazing idea. Weird that now there is one in the adorable downtown of Westfield, New Jersey. No need for words beyond this: a Read more…
August 7, 2019
My friend wanted help picking out her outfit for an upcoming Indian wedding, so we took the opportunity to eat some authentic vegetarian Indian food and gawk at exquisitely beautiful sarees in New Jersey’s Little India, Edison, New Jersey. Their intricate details in the store’s bright lights was a thing Read more…
July 13, 2019
After a whirlwind, a ton of pictures from the Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City. Enjoying a break between responsibilities. Another break when I gambled away $20, because: Atlantic City. Get the vegan message! Peanut Principle in Albany, New York Gangster Vegan Organics. I Read more…
July 11, 2019
I’m really excited to be volunteering for The Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival! Yes, I get comped admission and a food voucher to the event, but most exciting, I get to enter to the event, including the Food Truck Festival, an hour before the general public. This is great because Read more…
May 19, 2019
That which is not fed… dies. So keep feeding what you wish to grow. 🌱 A simple truth I have to remind myself of on occasion as I can sometimes feed the wrong things with all my nourishing goodies. But I have a symbiotic relationship with Inspiration ( “her” ) Read more…
Having visited Seed To Sprout in Avon By the Sea for my birthday (observed), I wanted to check out their other location. So we door-busted before hitting the Sandy Hook seashore. Like my previous visit, I’m floored by the quality of their food and their dedication to “house made”… I’m Read more…
March 24, 2019
There always seems to be something vegan to eat in Asbury Park. As the area makes a name for itself as a food destination, the vegan realm reaps the benefits. The folks setting up shop in Asbury Park have to care about quality, as the restaurant next store or down Read more…
March 10, 2019
How have I never been to this place before?! Sandy Hook is part of Gateway, a National Recreation area that spans New York and New Jersey. I’ve explored the New York portions, Staten Island’s Fort Wadsworth, Jamaica Bay’s Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and Dead Horse Beach in Queens, but I Read more…
February 20, 2019
So what if it’s snowing! If I am going to go back to Brooklyn from New Jersey by way of the Verrazzano Bridge, I’m going to get my money’s worth. 💸 Montclair Vegan has been on my radar for quite some time, and it’d be a pretty easy stop for Read more…