Nutley Through the Lens

Mills Reservation

2011-07-08T15:14:00.001-04:00

We had a hot one the other day. We had those dreaded 3-H's and when that happens everyone retreats into their air conditioned homes and others head down the shore. This type of weather makes for quiet neighborhoods and empty local roads. I decided to take advantage of the later and took a drive to a quiet and much cooler place, Mills Reservation.

Mills is a relatively short ride but for some reason I got distracted and took a wrong turn so my mistake added another 5 minutes to the ride, no big deal. Lost in my thoughts, I began thinking about a house that was for sale in Montclair 12 years ago that was afforable enough but there was a downside, the taxes. The upside was the backyard to this house butted up against Mills. You couldn't have found a better setting for an extended backyard.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this on this one particular trail I was on!

Along with this house comes your very own personal entrance into Mills.

If you have never been up here you need to understand that Mills is void of noise. It is you and mother nature and only the occasional train horn sounding from the distance. I have always admired this property, not so much the house.

I don't get up here very often. Maybe once a year but if I had a dog I'd probably do it more. If you are a dog owner, this is paradise for your canine but pick up after him. People that come to Mills seem to be very honest as you can see from the picture below.

All worthless weather worn junk. I guess the keys are still good for the right person.

Now I'm backing up some with this day. As I entered the trails one of the first thing I noticed was this purple contraption.

It does stick out like a sore thumb against the many shades of green and browns but it serves a real purpose. It's like a big sticky trap to survey the bugs in the area. The real concern from I could figure is a bug called Ash Borer. I think the Ash Borer is deadly to some of the native trees in NJ.

I mentioned those faint train horns as they only thing you will hear but I should add chipmunks. They're all over and they actually do make a squeaking sound. The other sound is the soft sound of the leaves lightly brustling in the summer breeze.

Left or right? I always take the left as I think it's more interesting.

On this trail is where I found the house for sale.

The path on the west side takes you along a cliff line and the vegetation can be very dense in some of those areas.

These things have been here ever since I discovered this place 30 years ago. To me they are as mysterious as Stone Hedge. I'm sure there is an explanation other than some bored kids partying there at night. There wasn't one beer can, bottle or cap anywhere.

But this one below is definitely newer than the above. "A" frame style.

Wild raspberrys are everywhere.

I think the first time I heard of this place was around the year 1978. Like all kids back then if you had a car or access to one you took advantage of those wheels. We didn't know how to enter Mills (years later I discovered there was an actual parking lot) so we would park above the Presby Iris garden and hike up the side of a mountain. It wasn't easy but everyone would say it was worth it....lots of curious things to see.

This is one of the 2 brownstone columns. Self explanatory. Not nearly as strange as those Tee Pees but what is this thing?

Logic wins on this. Definitely was a foundation for something. Maybe a lighthouse? Possibly, because on a clear day the New York skyline is very visible.

This is the path leading up to that concrete platform. You can't go any further or you'll fall off the cliff.

See that house in the top left?

Here's a close-up shot. I have to guess there is a staircase hidden in all that green.

How times have changed. Years ago this cliff was covered with broken glass. Yep, beer bottles, what else?

As much shade as there is here, there are clearings here and there where trees just can't grow due to the mountainous formation.

Once again, left? Or right?

These areas have gotten smaller since 1978. The trees are considerably larger but the sun is still very strong in these spots.

The camera doesn't give this area it's true sense of size.

Looking back into the shaded woods.

While standing in the clearing I got brave and stood on the edge of the mountain to take these pictures. Yes, that is someone's backyard down there.

I guess someone attempted (and succeeded) in climbing the mountain side?

Good Intentions Gone Bad?

2011-07-08T12:42:00.000-04:00

I hope not! When I have posted in the past I truly enjoyed it but priorities get in the way. It has nothing to do with being a procrastinator .... well maybe a little.

I am surprised that I even have a following at this point. Based on the hits I've been getting on Nutley Through the Lens, I'd have to assume that there are Nutleyites and others out there in cyberworld that are patiently awaiting my next entry.

I've been giving some thought about this blog and have concluded that I will post but it will be inconsistent. I also want to branch out beyond Nutley and post about topics of surrounding communities. This will remain a picture blog because we all like to look at pictures....as long as it isn't someone's kids.

A Timeshare Story - Martha's Vineyard

2011-05-23T13:07:00.000-04:00

Several years ago I bought a timeshare while vacationing in Cancun. The asking price was relatively reasonable and I liked the concept because I could trade my week in Cancun for just about any place in the world. I've vacationed in some really top notch resorts and had zero complaints but I have stayed at a few that were, let's just say ...... strange.

Some timeshare owners prefer to return that same exact week, year after year, (boring) to the same resort whereas I like to go to different resorts. The ones that return yearly, like the swallows of Capistrano, get to know one another very well. Sometimes too well. The "clicks" have been established and outsiders are rarely welcomed unless you are that funny guy half plastered at the pool bar. I really don't mind the dynamics at timeshares because there is more to do than stay poolside all day long.

The weather on the Vineyard (Edgartown) was cool and damp and when it rained it poured. Poolside was not the place to be. The regulars took their socializing to the indoors.

This place was like a social club come mid-day and well into the evening. A simple swipe with your plastic room key got you in. I've stayed at many resorts but never saw anything like this.

When I saw this kitchen my first impression was "Home Economics 101" from high school. Here I was able to get my weak morning coffee. Being the "newbie" in the crowd the two in the back stopped talking as I poured my first cup that morning. I'm telling ya, this was the strangest resort ever!

Each fridge was shared. Three guests per fridge and no more. I used the fridge on the far right for milk, sugar and a can of coffee. I never opened the can of Maxwell House coffee because that was not allowed. The coffee supplied was horrible and when I doubled up the packages for a stronger brew, I was scolded by one the the regulars. I apologized with a sincere smile, introduced myself and offered to make a new pot. Did you ever see the movie Deliverance?

One morning I decided to skip coffee and just sample martinis. Nah, I sampled them in the afternoon really. This martini was my friends, I had a beer. The Atlantic restaurant loves bacon so much that they strategically places these baskets of bacon around their bar for snacks.

The beaches are long and super clean but the water is ice cold.

Here at the "Cliffs" is the place to be for the sunsets. This area reminded me of a trip I took years ago to Block Island, The Bermuda of the North.

Although I do have an appreciation for nature, this particular day on the Cliffs was not the place the be. Next destination, Oak Bluffs.

Being that is still off season, parking was ample in Oak Bluffs. I parked directly across from these homes which look out into the harbor.

There's a small section in town that is very similar to Ocean Grove, NJ.. These painted ladies sit on leased land from the church and there seems to be a strong sense of community. They even have their version of the Great Auditorium like the one in Ocean Grove.

This particular day while walking around I heard a flute playing. I soon realized that the flute was being played inside the auditorium and it was being recorded with a make-shift recording studio. While the fluteist played the birds nesting in the rafters were chirping away. The accoustics were incredible!

The auditorium.

Even though I cut this trip short by a day, the week ended on a very high note. A friend and I have been trying for 2 years to get together. Timing was always off. A few weeks ago she sent me an email telling me she would be in New York city for a day before she set off for a month long cruise to Europe. I told her in an email that I would be away in Martha's Vineyard. Turns out that her next stop was the Vineyard so we finally met after endless emails and 2 years of bad timing!

Cruise ship coming in.

We had almost a full day to catch up, have lunch, drinks and lots of laughs.

It's Spring! (Blink and it's over)

2011-05-05T14:40:00.001-04:00

Yes, it has been several weeks since I last posted but Nutley Through the Lens is still getting hits! Several days ago I received an email asking me, "where have I gone?" Don't fret, I am back but my posts will probably be once a week for now.

Since my last post we have been peppered with only a few hot days and lots of rain in between. I have to say that we are really having a spring this year and the spring colors are lasting!

The beauty and brillance of cherry blossom trees amazing! This particular morning when I took this picture the sky was very dark and rain soon followed.

Mother nature is amazing. As quick as the flower blossoms fall from one variety of tree, another variety quickly takes it place. To me, the white dogwood trees are at their best early morning and early evening...they seem to glow.

A nearby neighbor is very proud of her tulips. In fact, she has been very helpful to me in refining my green thumb but I'm still learning by trial and error.

What I find interesting is how these tulips and hostas have the ability to reappear no matter how cold, wet or snowy winter can be.

Either you love wisteria or you hate them. This particular wisteria seems well contained. If not contained, it would take over the entire town of Nutley. I've been battling my neighbors wisteria that went into neglect a long time ago. (Note: the picture to the right was taken at a different lens setting)

Sort of like stopping to smell the roses. When was the last time you took a close up look of an azalea? I'm happy to say that I even saw a humming bird at this one today.

A birds-eye view from a Japanese maple

......and speaking of birds. The song birds are at it again! I'm usually up before them every morning but I wish they'd be quiet on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Above is a robin's nest. I'm curious to see how many eggs I'll find in my garden beds this year. Last year I found 5 whole, uncracked eggs.

Where Do You Park Your Car at Night?

2011-03-22T14:20:00.001-04:00

There is no such thing as the one car family anymore. Most households now seem to own two cars minimum and sometimes even 3 or 4. I can only imagine what families are forking out weekly with the price of gasoline lately! The other day I stopped at Delta for a mere $25.00 worth and it barely budged the needle on the gas gauge.

Nutley has been enforcing this no overnight parking law for decades. I like that Nutley enforces this law because it helps to deter crime, allows the snow plows through to do a better job and it gives the town a nice overall appearance. However, many in town take issue to this parking ban because parking is a real problem for the multiple car families.

Some years back I came across an article about new home construction in the 1920's. One part of the article that struck me was how the builders (back then) were including garages with these new houses. They boasted how the garages could mimic the houses exterior and design and be very attractive and useful at the same time. The above picture is a great example of how this garage has the same brick exterior as the house.

In the 1970's car designs got so wide and so long that the cars would no longer fit into these antiquated structures. Some people broke through the back of the garage for more length, others would take the easy route and close the garage door down and rest the door on the car trunk lid. Some just gave up on the garage and used it as a place to accumulate the overflow from the basement and attic.

I have a 2 car garage and my old Chevy just fits in between the antiquated barn like doors. The doors are my biggest complaint but when I see what others have to go through to get their car off the streets at night, I realize I have it pretty good.

There are more garages in town than I realized that are built right into front terraces. I did a quick count of the front steps...26 give or take! This garage is a perfect example of the front bump out in order to fit the car inside. The roof top would be a great place to hang during the summer.

Another bump out and lots of steps to climb. I actually can have an appreciation for the curved top facade.

It's better than no garage at all especially with the no overnight parking law.

Looks like a long dark tunnel. There is so much potential for more outdoor living space directly above.

I was surprised when I saw this driveway. I like this old look as long as the middle stip has good grass or even well trimmed ivy. You'd have to make a pretty hard swing to the left at the top to get a car inside that garage on the right.

Similar to the one above but this driveway comes to an abrupt stop. It's like taking a step back in time. You can easily imagine a horse and buggy at the top.

The window is what caught my eye first because of the fancy scroll like supports holding the small awning above.

When a garage is the prominent feature of a house, it better look really good and this one does. Looks like the rooftop is put to good use too.

This is a neat little house for a single person or a couple. The addition to the left looks to have been a garage at one time.

Because this post was about garages, parking and cars I thought I'd add this picture too. This copper like tower was once a traffic signal at the intersection of Broad and Market streets in Newark, NJ.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!!!

2011-03-17T09:56:00.000-04:00

My friends are the best friends

loyal, willing and able.

Now let's get to drinking!

All glasses off the table!

My picture library has run low so stay tuned. In the meantime, celebrate in true Irish style today!

Do You Have a Signature Piece?

2011-03-15T13:07:00.000-04:00

Many houses have that one thing on its property that sets it apart from all the others. Sometimes one can even get a sense about the home owner by seeing what is on their property. Birds houses, bird bath and a St. Francis statue...a Catholic animal lover perhaps? Adirondack chairs under a big old pine tree? Maybe these folks enjoy their cold beers there on a Saturday night.....that's what I would do anyway.

These are classic pieces and must have been salvaged from somewhere. Nice focal point.

I have passed this plenty of times but still can't figure out what it is. Squint at this picture, it begins to look like a swan.

Carved brownstone. This is all over Nutley and for good reason, Nutley had a brownstone quarry many years back.

Now this is really interesting but does it work? It didn't seem to be converted to electric.

Modest landscaping here but the fountain must look nice when it's in operation.

Even with the updated fencing and gate, these uniques columns still look great.

Sometimes a house doesn't need a signature piece. The large frontage speaks volumns. There is a very clear view of the sky here and I wouldn't be surprised if this house is on the highest elevation in town. This must be a great place to watch a storm roll in or do some serious bird watching.

Simple is better when a house has columns like this.

Split walkway, nice lampost and a nice bench to park and ponder in the early evening.

Look at this! No sidewalk or front walkway to shovel makes this house a one of a kind. It's like stepping back to a simpler time.

"Need directions to my house? Just look for the Santa being hung from the flag pole." We did have a difficult winter and getting decorations down was impossible.

Eyebrow windows. Two chimneys. Signature enough for those that can appreciate.

Not as old as the gas light in the above picture but this would work at my backyard entrance.

Can this fall into the category as a signature piece of the neighborhood ? This street light is old and shines dim at night. This is a classic but common to see in town.

Spooky in Nutley? You be the judge..................

2011-03-14T08:54:00.000-04:00

I had an unexpected visit from a friend from up north on Saturday night. Whenever we the two of us get together we have lots to catch up on and we were up into the wee hours of the morning. At one point the two of us put on our coats and headed out to get some air.....I grabbed my camera. I took that typical picture with my friend by my side, arm stretched out and snapped a picture with the hopes that it would work. It did but there was more in that picture than the two of us!

Nowadays there are plenty of programs about the supernatural and ghostly encounters. Am I a believer? Not completely but I have had my share of strange happenings in my home that has caused me to pause and ponder some. Nothing scarey thats for sure.

Although my camera is new, I wiped the lens clean but still, the orbs continued to show up.

And again! With so many of these orbs up above, we were starting to become believers.

I wish I could have an explanation for this haze. Very strange.................
It was a relatively clear sky and these are not stars as we first thought nor was it the camera's lens. Remaining the skeptic (I wanted to be) I may have a different view on this topic after all. Maybe my next stop should be one of the local cemeteries?

Termite Hill Section vs Spring Garden Section

2011-03-11T15:45:00.000-05:00

Every town has their sections and a name attached to it. I was once told by a neighbor that there was one particular area of the Spring Garden section that was better known as Termite Hill. I'll leave that up to the town historian.

This little gem is probably one of the older if not oldest in this section of Spring Garden, aka, Termite Hill. Notice the roof and the wooden shingles.

The 5 houses above have the style of a Craftman's Cottage. Small in size but BIG in when it comes to architectual design. The last house has had lots of work done to it over the past few years.

Nice carport especially on a rainy day.

Another great house with character. The red roof works well with the green.

Virtually maintenance-free exterior and another nice porch.

The color combination is perfect and this house looks to be on a lot and a half.

I like this house for a couple of reasons. One, is the house is nicely shaded during the summer and because the front is facing away from the street.

Neat clean lines and the color compliments the natural landscape.

I never gave much thought to this house but I saw a potential. Now that it has been recently painted and landscaped, the front porch really pops out.

I guess it's obvious that I like old houses. The garden beds along the front walk are packed with zinnias every year. Nice big trees too.

Very inviting front entrance and very nice windows.

I watched this house transform from a stale blue to the colors you see now. I heard that there is an elevator in this house.....interesting.

Nice slate roof and beautiful brick sitting on one of the larger lots. This place is like a mini castle.

This house too is on a nice size lot.

To me this is a great combination of colors. Another nice big old oak.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Don't forget to change you clocks this weekend, Daylight Savings begins!!

2011-03-10T08:50:00.000-05:00

March 10 2011

Growing up in the 60's and 70's was so different than it is for kids today. Wearing seat belts in the car was a non issue, playing happened outdoors not in front of computers and parents didn't worry about their children being preyed upon by predators. Oh yeah, and we all knew our neighbors.

Around the summer of '72 mom allowed me to ride my bike to visit my granparents in Nutley. I lived in Belleville then. Being the explorer that I was, the bike ride took much longer than mom anticipated but I did arrive alive and safe. The longer than expected ride was all because I found a little neighborhood, a little niche that was fascinating to me then and still is today.

My very first observation of Erie Place was the lack of sidewalks. This quaint area has just a handful of homes.

This area seems to be one of the earlier communities in town and I would assume it is rich in history.

The Nutley Little Theater. It seems to have all the designs of a one time barn.

The yard to this home faces out onto Erie Place but because this street has no traffic at all, privacy seems to not be an issue for this homeowner. What actually caught my eye is the quirkiness of the tall pole with chains hanging down.

A very rural look for a suburban town. This house has some nice lines. Growing a lawn in front of this house is probably impossible because this is a very shady street during the summer.

This house has lots of curiosities. I like this fence because it's not vinyl, an all too common site. And who has a BBQ pit these days? Very cool.......

I still can't figure out if this is a recirculating water feature or some quirky designed rain spout. Once the construction work is done, I imagine this house will be very nice.

Just around the corner from Erie Pl I found this patriotic looking gem.

About 13 years ago I was looking to buy a house in this very area of Erie Pl.. I decided against it because this area is flood prone. This is a very nice and well maintained house. More in line with what I like in a home as far as size and style.

On the very top of this steep hill are the railroad tracks. Rarely used but occasionally freight trains do pass through at a very slow pace.

Friends that have come to visit me in town always ask if these arches are an entrance to an exclusive community. Of course the answer is "no" but I can understand the logic to such a question. The homes in that area are to me, just part of "Nutleys Best Kept Secret".

2011-03-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

March 9 2011

.....and yesterday's theme continues. I have to admit while taking these pictures I found myself wishing that the park offered more colors of the spring season, but it is still early March. Being that the winter snow has finally melted, revealed are the decayed leaves of another season, fall. March is known for her winds so hopefully mother nature will do her part and rid us of this reminder.

Considering the age of these brownstone steps, they are in remarkable condition. Although the steps have been patched with concrete, the workmanship can still be appreciated.

The sides to this staircase seem to be a recent addition. Notice how square the steps are and have almost no wear.

If you stand at the top the view down is of the Kingsland pond. Canadian geese now out number the ducks. You really need to watch your step when walking in this area.

Now these stairs definitely lead to somewhere, a private residence. I'd consider this home owner to be very lucky to have such an interesting back entrance to their house right off the park. This is a nice "little corner of the world."

This is one steep path leading up to the top of High St.. I discovered this path as a child while riding my bike to my grandparent's house. I made this my regular route especially during the summer. The shade of the trees (and the speed coming down) had a great cooling effect.

Along side the path mentioned above I found a yard with what looked to be pidgeon coops. The person that lives here would be someone I'd be very interested to chat with.

What a peaceful area to have as part of your backyard. Probably a great place if you are a bird watcher.

Wandering along the train tracks which run parallel to High St. I stumbled upon this old railroad track switch. I like stuff like this and if I was strong enough (and had the guts) I would have brought that home to put in my yard. "Ramapo Ajax Co." Patent date March 25 1918

The remnants of an old mill at one time. Behind this dam is Nichols pond which to me is a mess. The sediment has built up over the years so it's not much of a pond these days. It would be nice to see this dredged as well as the mudhole in Memorial park.

Feeding the ducks can be a blast especially for the kids. These days it's a no-no to do because of the huge geese problem in our region. I did toss a hadfull of breadcrumbs since no one was in sight.

I have seen many not only take pictures of the Kingsland Falls but also spread out a blanket for a picnic.

I stumbled upon this hydrant while meandering the other day. I imagine a dog or 2 may love it but does the homeowner being that it seems to be on their property?

2011-03-08T15:30:00.000-05:00

March 8 2011

I was very surprised by the warmth of the sun today so I was inspired to take a walk through almost the entire park system today. Although the evenings still have the feel of winter, during the day signs of spring are beginning to show. Robins are all over poking through the warm soil hungry for worms and the forsythia's are beginning to show a little bit of color. Nice.

The theme I have going here today are the "Steps to Somewhere". There are so many brownstone, concrete, stone stairs and walls throughout the park that I think go unnoticed and under appreciated.

Interesting ramp leading up to a staircase.

Looking under Center Street.

At first I began climbing these irregular steps only to realize that these rain gutters left and right of the steps were much easier to walk on. I guess they served their purpose at one time.

I sat on these very steps in the mid 70's to have my very first cigarette.

Although not stairs, I had to snap this especially with all the rain we had lately.

An old timer in town once told me a photoshoot for Salem cigarettes happen in this very spot. Back then this area had very mature willow trees that hung over the water bank.

I really like the look of filedstone. The shade is actually from 2 very large holly trees.

Three bridges in this area. The recent rain left this area a muddy mess.

Even with all the rain we had, the water remains muddy. I imagine this must have been a fountain many years ago. How cool would it be to see this thing action again?

The workmanship here is amazing. Perhaps one of my favorites.

Different angle of the same picture above. This was made to last!

Part of the above 2 pictures. I guess you parked your butt here to contemplate the climb up. This is a really cool seat!