[abhijitaparadh]

Last Sunday, I was relatively free (read: done with groceries, laundry and other household chores a single man in US needs to do !). The day was beautiful. Sunny with a bit of chilly winds, a typical day in Spring. I hate to sit at home on such beautiful days. So called up my cousin and went for a drive.

We had no specific destination in mind. Started with I-280 and then I-80 from Jersey City.
1. Interstate 80


Since we were on a leasure drive, we took frequent breaks as and when we pleased. There are beutiful rest areas alongside almost all the interstates in US. Rest areas usually have some benches, open space to free your legs and restrooms. Service areas have more elaborate amenities like resturants, cafes etc.

2. Rest area on I-80


I usually get bored on driving on interstate highways in US. Everyone drives in a straight line at almost constant speed ! No excitement !! After some mundane driving on I-80 for 40 miles, we decided to go off the interstate and onto some smaller and prettier country roads in NJ.

3. Back roads


Then we realised why New Jersey is called as a "Garden State". There are so many beautiful lush green fields along the way, we were tempted to stop and take photos at almost every corner.

Came across these beautiful fields full of spring wild flowers besides White Lake.

4. fields


5. white lake and green fields with Spring flowers


6. dirt road to shore of white lake



We countinued on the smaller roads and came across one more pristine lake called Swartswood lake.

7. Swartswood lake


The sky had a beutiful blue color with sparse clouds.

8. Swartswood lake with clouds


9. Blue water of lake.


After spending considerable time there admiring natural beauty and soaking in some warm Spring sunlight, we moved on. We continued on the smaller roads and soon came across another lake called as Culvers lake.

10. Culvers lake


It amazes me how many such natural unspoilt lake the US has. Especially the Northeastern US. Here within span on 50 miles after we left I-80 we had come across 3 big and beautiful lakes. I have had similar experience last year when I was traveling in Adirondack National Park in upstate NY. There are so many big beautiful inhabitated lakes. All are pristine clean, with a small village on the lake shore. Beautiful !

We carried on the smaller roads, came aross this little farm with some horses grazing.

11. Farm


12. Horse.


Finally we reached I-84 somewhere on border on New Jersey and Pennsylvania near Delaware Water Gap. We looked at the time and it was well past lunch time. Had lunch at a small Italian restaurant in the pretty town of Milford and headed back to New York on I-84.
Took rest on I-84 after some time (pee-stop)

13. Rest area.


While driving back came across this 911 turbo. Chased it for some time and then it sped away.

14. 911 turbo


Finally reached home at about 6pm via I-84 and I-87 afterwards.
A day well spent !

[Sam Kapasi]

Some beautiful photos there. Thanks for sharing, quite enjoyed it.

[mohit]

Very nice! I am eagerly waiting for full blown spring (or summer - whichever comes earlier ). This is really tempting me to go out for a drive!

[Samurai]

Thanks for posting this Abhijit, almost brought tears to my eyes. NJ was my home for 9 years, some of my best memories are from here.

This was the backyard of my apartment in NJ in...

Summer


Fall


Winter

[muralisk]

Pretty cool pictures Abhijit. Thanks for reviving my memories on NJ/ NY and all the long drives that I was part of. We drove through the north-east in Spring and Fall and they are truly awesome.

[pjay_in]

Beautiful pics, Abhijit. Some of the landscapes captured by you would offer perfect subject for an artist to try out his skills.

And Samurai.. no words to describe the collective effect of your pics.

[prince_pervez]

I must admit, the pictures are beautiful. Swartswood lake snap is a landscapers dream. Beautiful. The porsche one is also cool. Are there more to come coz i'm kinda waiting.

[abhijitaparadh]

@Samurai
Yeah..NJ is truly beautiful in summer/fall.
Which part of NJ do you used to stay in? if I may ask?

I have other photos, but nothing different than the photos that I have posted. Lakes and lush green fields and spring flowers etc etc So I didnt post all the photos. Let me know if you want any more or full size version of any photo.

[Red Circle]

Samurai & Abhijit - Keep the pics coming, Looks great!

[prince_pervez]

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

Let me know if you want any more or full size version of any photo.

Yeah, some more of Swartswood lake please

[ASHISHPALLOD]

@ABHIJIT,

humko aur picture mangata hai.

aankhin pictures pahije.

we want some more.

[esteem_lover]

Beautiful pictures abhijit, never realised NJ is so serene.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

@Samurai
Yeah..NJ is truly beautiful in summer/fall.
Which part of NJ do you used to stay in? if I may ask?

This was in Monmouth Junction, off Route 1.

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

Beautiful pictures abhijit, never realised NJ is so serene.

Yeah, most people imagine Newark as NJ. But Newark is one of the ugliest part of NJ. But the suburbs are beautiful.

This was the view from the window next to my office table where I worked for 6 years.

[null]

Abhijit, why dont you upload some more of those countryside snaps. My rendezvous has always been with the west cost except for a brief period in Boston suburbs & NH. I just love the countryside greenery on the east coast. Those roads through forest like surroundings & lushgreen scenery all around.

[arindamray]

Looking at I-80 after long. Was in Parsippany for some time, and been to Delaware Water Gap.Though my usual week-end run used to be to my friends' place in Edison via I-287. And in one such week-end in February got stuck there, as it continuously snowed for 36 hours - Newark and JFK was closed. It was a ordeal to get the car out from snow cover till the boot level.Nice photos.And Samurai, the three shots from (almost) same angle in three different season are really superb.