Covered Bridge in PA

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My brother lives on Covered Bridge Road in Quakertown, PA, near Bethlehem. Sounds quaint, huh? Well, it is quaint, and I'll prove it to you.

This mill is 1/10th of a mile from my brother's house. It's the Levi Sheard Grist Mill. No one knows when it was built; the earliest deeds date back to 1798. In 1844, Levi Sheard purchased the mill, and it didn't cease operation until 1971. The mill used water power to grind corn, rye or wheat grain into meal.

Machines of an earlier age, stored under the front steps. What's under your front porch?

Here's the covered bridge. I never expected one in Pennsylvania -- I had the impression they were all in Vermont.  It's 130 feet long. I've heard they covered the bridges so the horses wouldn't get spooked by how high they were above the water below.

Here's what it feels like and looks like inside. Beautiful Pennsylvania countryside beckons from beyond. Have you ever been over a covered bridge? Comment below.

Clinton, NJ Indie Coffee Shop!!

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American Dreams Get Formed and Worked On Here

I stopped in historic Clinton, NJ, and I have pictures for you of the downtown, and of special houses. But I stumbled upon an indie coffee shop, and you know my enthusiasm for those! So let's start there.

My critique: The name is appropriate--the shop is right next to a river.

Important things get discussed in coffee shops.

A fun sign.

A side door to a patio overlooking the Raritan River.

Same door, but showing you the milk bar. I love the gold tones of the walls -- very warm and inviting.

A seating area.

Some of the treats on display.

Yummy!

Baristas Casey Jackson (left) and Toni Adams.

Another room in the shop.

Same people, different angle.

Art for sale on the right. Fantastic atmosphere, right? Love it! Next week: historic downtown Clinton.

Young Filmmaker's American Dream: "Slow Road" to Communities

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Slow Road: Travel Engaged

Slow Road is a site where you can see a film clip about some young men going around the country SLOWLY, looking for community. 

They're doing what I love to do, but in film. 

I hope you enjoy this curated content! If you do, would you sign up to follow my blog? And RT? Thanks!

Rochester Farmer's Market--the Colors of an American Dream

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A Farmer's American Dream

Where would we be without our farmers, who work, wait and hope patiently through the threat of frost,  too much rain, too little...there's possibly no harder line of work. The one farmer I know says he wouldn't do anything else with his life. It's his American Dream come true to be on the land and coax it to produce nutritious food.

This Rochester farmer's market was beautiful, with fruits and vegetables in vibrant colors. Note that most baked goods are beige or brown...will that help you make a wiser choice next time?

Beets, bright magenta inside.

A deep, rich green -- tons of vitamins.

Much more vibrant than a chocolate cake.

This chicken was for sale...if I brought it home, what would my neighbor's think?

Maybe it's a rooster...any opinion? Say, if you like my blog, would you sign up to follow it? Thanks!!

An Artist's American Dream

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A Different Sort of American Dream

On my way to enjoying Java Joe's indie coffee shop in Rochester, NY, we passed this house. Every inch of the walls and yard (and I'm willing to bet, the interior) are part of this artist's expression. 

We know that artists have a different sort of American Dream. It's can be about artistic freedom (which goes hand in hand with the individual freedoms we enjoy in the U.S.) Take a look at this:

A tile sculpture next to the driveway.

"Imagine" and "Dream".  Yeah!! And how about those wrought iron gates?

A carousel horse with a weathered Santa. Say, if you like my blog, would you sign up to follow it? Thanks!!

Rochester Indie Coffee Shop II

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Last week in this blog, we visited Java Joe's in Rochester, NY.

I'm not sure what owner Joe Palozzi's American Dream is, but if it's making a great environment for people to meet and mingle on a Saturday morning, his dream is coming true.

Here are a few more scenes from this noteworthy independent coffee shop.

Here's Joe, owner of Java Joe's, loading the coffee roaster.

A player piano -- ever seen one in a Starbuck's?

The milk and sugar bar. Different -- that's what makes an indie coffee shop so cool.

The front door to Java Joe's.

You can take home a pound of coffee from anywhere in the world.

Warning: highly caffeinated!

Java Joe waiting for the beans to roast. How about you? Do you seek out indie coffee shops? Why?

Rochester, NY: Talking about Dreams...

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American Dreams Planned in an Indie Coffee Shop

You know how I am about independent coffee shops. This one is amazing.

Java Joe's in Rochester, NY feels like a party on a Saturday morning. Denizens of Rochester come for their Saturday cup of joe, and the place is abuzz with caffeinated energy. 

Are they talking about going home and working on making their dreams come true? Maybe the dream is to tidy the yard, mow the grass or straighten up the kitchen. 

Here's the owner, Joe Palozzi, operating his coffee roasting machine.

He pulls a sample of the beans out of the machine to see if they're roasted to perfection.

Here's the bar where you place your order. Isn't it neat, how different it is from a Starbucks?

The shop features coffees from around the world. Starbucks only offers blonde, medium and dark these days. 

More coffees to choose from. How about you? Do you seek out indie coffee shops?