I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, within a 12 minute drive to the Delaware River and across the river to New Jersey. One of my favorite things to do is to go on road trips through our local countryside. I’m so fortunate to live in one of the most scenic and historical parts of the United States.
Today I was on a quest to find the Native Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. 20 Years ago I saw the cactus growing on the cliffs of New Jersey along the river. I remembered that I went through Riegelsville, PA, crossed the bridge into New Jersey, and so I’ll continue the rest of the story in my photographs.
There isn’t anything prettier than our country churches. This is St. Peter’s Luthern Church in Riegelsville. PA. From the church I need to go down the hill and cross over into town.
Through town and around the bend I passed this lovely restored Bucks County farmhouse. I think that the window boxes added charm to an otherwise modest standalone building.
Across the street from the farmhouse is the Riegelsville Inn and Hotel. The restaurant is located in the inn, which was built in 1838. Dining at the Inn is a truly memorable experience, surrounded by the decor of authentic Bucks County.
After I pass the sign I will cross over an iron bridge and enter New Jersey. There are iron bridges up and down the river towns connecting both states.
Once I cross the bridge I turned right onto the first road. There were no signs visible. The road starts out as a two lane highway but after a few miles it turns into a 1-1/2 lane road. You will meet few cars, but the ones you do meet will be driving fast, so pull over into one of the pullovers and let them pass. This road is too pretty to be driving fast. The Pic above shows you one of the many beautiful small farms of New Jersey. The tree line after the corn fields and the trees behind them are the same size except the trees behind are growing on cliffs on the Pennsylvania side, separated by the Delaware river.
AH HAA. There they are, just as I had remembered. Even if you think you can climb the rocks to get a better view, Don’t. Years ago I sold a few of these cactus at my nursery for only one season, because every time I had to move the pots around, the tiny hair-like needles would stick into my skin, so I’m sure they are all over those cliffs.
“Opuntia humifusa” New Jersey Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus
The sun doesn’t shine on these cliffs until later in the day, so they were not blooming. Oh well, maybe next time. I’ll tell you a funny story. When I was a little girl, cowboy movies were the rage throughout the 50’s, and a couple of times you would see a cowboy dying of thirst in the desert, and he would just grab a cactus, cut it open, and squeeze the water into his mouth for a drink. One day my cousin Tommy and myself saw a bed of this cactus growing in an elderly ladies garden. You guessed it. We suffered for two weeks with those tiny hair-like needles stuck into our mouths and tongue. We never told our parents for fear of getting into more trouble for trespassing onto private property. I can see now why they have to state warnings on some of todays silly commercials about attempting to mimick the stupid things shown on TV.
The railroad tracks are across the street from the cactus. They haven’t been used for years. New Jersey has removed the tracks from Lambertville to Frenchtown, and paved a path so you can walk or bike the entire length. If you look through the trees in this pic you can see the blue of the river.
At the end of the road you enter the lovely little town of Milford. My youngest daughters best friend Julie and her husband Mike are owners of the “Lovin Oven”. It’s such a treat to eat at their restaurant. The food is fantastic, and everything is prepared fresh on the premises, plus Julie is an outstanding baker.
Now after a delightful late breakfast I will cross another iron bridge to Pennsylvania. We have had many floods in the past few years, and there has been damage to the canal and River Road on the Pennsylvania side at different sections. Some parts are now under repair, with a couple of detours. If you’re a local you know how to go over the various bridges to get up and down the River Roads. If your a tourist, than give yourself enough time to follow the detour signs and enjoy the countryside. You won’t be disapointed.
After I entered Pennsylvania, I parked along the road, and was taking some pictures of the river. Because I’m the mother of three adult daughters, the laughter and happy screames of little girls never leaves your memory, which caused me to look down the river and see about seven little girls and two Dads in innertubes. I can remember when My husband and I took our girls tubing when they were little. There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than “Tubing down the Delaware”.
With the gasoline crunch, I don’t have to go far for enjoyment. There are so many quaint towns up and down the river, that I could spend a lifetime and never be able to photograph and document all their history . Well, It’s time to head for home, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the trip. I’ll have to do more of these.
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