But the Sun rises...on Bull Hill

While sunsets are not easily viewed, almost each and every morning a sunrise lights up every morning.  I'm up around 5 a.m. and the sunrise always seems to catch my eye whether from the balcony off the bedroom, or downstairs while pouring my cup of coffee.  The beauty of the Delaware River and the coast of New Jersey never looked prettier.  

It announces the start of a brand new day, and the opportunity to live it to it's fullest.  To appreciate the beauty of each sunrise...and each sunset no matter where you may call home. 

We will miss this view.

The Sun sets...

I have never seen a sunrise in Key West.  Sunset, yes. Every day of every visit.  But a sunrise... no.  

Mallory Square is THE place to enjoy the sunset. Drinks in hand, sitting on the edge of the wharf, legs dangling over the gorgeous blue water. Music, jugglers, musicians, acrobatics, fire eaters, vendors selling food, jewelry, all forms of art.  But it isn't the only place. 


There is Louie's Afterdeck.

These were all taken the same evening.
Just a few minutes apart.  


There is Ft. Zachary.

Sunsets a plenty, from anywhere you happen to be. 

113-115 Delaware St.

The building to the far right of the picture was a barber shop located at 115 Delaware St., with a beauty salon located at 113 Delaware St. which is attached to 115 and not visible in the photo.  I am not sure what year this photo was taken; but in the far left of the photo one can see the back of some kind of vehicle so obviously it was after the turn of the century.  (Thanks to www.nc-chap.org; be sure to check out the site)

I remember seeing this building, long closed up and dilapidated sometime in the late 80's/early 90's...my time of early meandering through the streets of ONC.  It was long vacant.  I have yet to talk to any one who remembers the building.  Perhaps I just haven't talked to the right people...I'll keep trying.

The building was renovated in 1991-92  Below is what it looks like today as two private residences.

There She Glows!!!

 It was in June of last year when I came home can caught the sun highlighting the ship.

It wasn't just awesome, or fantastic, it was...glowing.  It was ethereal.  I felt blessed to have been able to not just see, but to feel the glow.  If you saw it, you would have felt it as well and know exactly what I mean.

She used to be able to dock at our wharf.  Hopefully in the future she will be able to return. 

From the website: www.kalmarnyckel.org:

(also see this guide published in 2009: http://kalmarnyckel.org/knevent_guide.asp)

The Original Kalmar Nyckel 

The original Kalmar Nyckel was one of America's pioneering colonial ships. Its historical significance rivals that of the Mayflower, yet her remarkable story has never been widely told. 

Did you know... 

The original Kalmar Nyckel sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638 leaving its passengers to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley, the Colony of New Sweden in present-day Wilmington, Delaware. She made a total of four roundtrip crossings of the Atlantic—more than any other ship of the era. Her first voyage to the New World left 24 settlers of Swedish, Finnish, German and Dutch descent in the Delaware Valley. Joining them was a black freedman who sailed from the Caribbean aboard her companion ship the Fogel Grip. 


The Present Day Kalmar Nyckel 

The present day Kalmar Nyckel serves as Delaware’s seagoing goodwill ambassador. She was built by a group of committed citizens to be a continuing witness to the courage and spirit of those individuals who undertook the mid-winter North Atlantic crossing in 1637-1638. 

Since 1998, the ship has served as an outreach platform for the State of Delaware and a catalyst for social and economic development. The ship provides a unique platform for the Foundation’s educational programming as well as a venue for diplomatic, recreational, governmental and commemorative functions. The ship is owned and operated by the Kalmar NyckelFoundation, a non-profit organization that offers people of all ages a variety of sea and land based learning and recreational experiences. 

Just a couple of houses...

I have long admired many of the homes in the area, and have, at one time or another, gone to open houses whether just being nosy or actively shopping or personally knowing the owners so I have been in a good majority of the homes. 

This house is known as The Old Williams Store.  It was gutted and renovated.  With the market crash, they were unable to sell it, so it is rented. 

Rowhomes (large and small), single family homes, german wood siding, brick.  The outside of the homes are subject to "The Litany".  The Litany is a booklet that specifically outlines what you can and cannot do to the outside of your home.  One must apply to the Historic Area Committee (HAC) for any renovations or repairs...again to the outside only.  If you follow "The Litany" you should have no problems getting approved.   Commentary about HAC is sure to follow...lol. 

As it has been....

I love the house I am currently renting.  I have been here for nearly 5 years. Officially, it is Historic New Castle but depending on your preference referring to it as Old New Castle is not frowned upon. It is a designated historic area.

    

This area is known as Bull Hill.  My row is the fourth one on the right. 

Better yet...all decorated for the Holidays.

This is my view.  It's an older photo as the boy in the picture is now 6 feet tall and in college. 

The same view on a snowy winter day at sunrise.  That land mass on the opposite of the river is New Jersey.  Pennsville to be exact. 


I am soon to lose my view...not really lose, but exchanging for a different one.  The water has been good to me. 

It is done.

For a very long time I had intended this journal to be the repository about the joys and challenges of relocating to Key West or just on the outskirts.  

But after a good deal of due diligence and some serious financial soul searching...we realized we were not willing to take the risk considering a number of factors which I won't bore you with here. 

 Key West and the Keys, will for now, remain our escape...our paradise.