American Dream: A Used Nuclear Submarine, Perchance?

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American Dream: Think big, bigger, biggest!

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

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You will not believe all the nautical stuff you can buy used. Practically a nuclear submarine! Visit Marine Consigment of Mystic, 15 Holmes Street.

A wet suit, or a cooler.

Anchors (they look like sailboats themselves, jib and mainsail).

Would you like an upgrade from your car's factory steering wheel?

Not a nuclear submarine, but getting there....

Lighthouses for your collection. Next week, more surprising stuff. How about you? Do you shop consignment? My winter coat is second-hand. Fits perfectly, sleeves just the right length. Keeps me warm. $25. 

American Dreams: Gaining Inspiration from Time in the Wild

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American Dreams: Alone in the Vast Expanse

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I'll take you into the Great Swamp again, covering new territory today, the Orange Trail. This is about as wild and untamed as it gets in New Jersey.

These are autumn pictures, but that's okay, it doesn't look too much different right now.

I'm leaving my imprint on nature (my shadow).

See the path through the center? It's nearly lost in the undergrowth. This is not a well known place.

That's the path, low in the center. Will I make it back to civilization?

The path, through the middle again. It's just a smudge...

Evidence of Superstorm Sandy: mature trees snapped like twigs.

They almost made it into a fourth airport for New York City in the 1960s. How about you? Do you have a county, state, or national park near you? Do you find solace in it?  Comment below!

American Dreams of Wandering in the Wild

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Dreams of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

We're waiting for dreams of spring to come true. While all is still dormant, I want to show you one of my favorite haunts, the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Morris and Somerset counties, New Jersey.

I especially enjoy being in my other favorite haunt, New York City, with its crowded sidewalks and bustling millions in the morning, and taking a solitary ramble in the Great Swamp in the afternoon.

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What color combinations nature gives us!

The far reaches of the swamp, still showing the impact of Superstorm Sandy.

More Sandy damage.

Fabulous lichens.

Growth rings, stress marks, grays and browns.

This is called "Plymouth Wreck" on the maps. Every year it's a little more sunken, more decrepit. How did it get here, in the middle of all these big trees? A mystery of the Swamp. How about you? Do you like to wander alone in the woods? Or in cities? Or both? Comment below!

The Real Jersey Shore: Away from Prying Eyes

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American Dream: A Private Garden at the Shore

by Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

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Ever dream of sipping your favorite beverage in a private garden, with the sound of the ocean washing over you in the twilight? Well, keep dreaming and working toward it, it may just happen!

This is a private home's side garden. To the left, it's private, for the residents' eyes only.

But maybe you can find a bed & breakfast with a private spot.

This place is across the street from the boardwalk and beach. I want a room overlooking the ocean!

Looking west from the boardwalk. 

A few minutes later. How about you? Do you love being near the ocean? Or are you a mountain person? Comment below!

American Dreams: The Real Jersey Shore

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In Search of the American Dream: A Cottage by the Sea

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

If you haven't been to Ocean Grove, NJ, you need to put it on your list. The Victorian architecture, from cottages to mansions, is an experience in itself, along with the beach, coffee shops, and the delightful downtown with plenty of places to eat outdoors.

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This might be my dream house.

No, it's this one!

If you want to try it before you buy into it, you can stay here in Ocean Grove.

Or here.

No, this is it, my dream cottage! Not too big, with an upstairs porch to hide on.

Scenes like this could be yours regularly. How about you, are you a shore fanatic, too? Have you been to the Grove? Comment below!

The Real Jersey Shore

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American Dreams of a Vacation at the Seashore

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

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What better time than February to start wishing for the Jersey shore? Ocean Grove, NJ has a great beach and a great downtown. But don't tell anybody.

This boat has holes (see the white dashes?) all along the hull. A very unique boat!

Yes, that's sand you see through the holes. What the heck kind of boat is this?

The Grove has lots of these historic hotels. Call now, it's not too soon! I stayed in one once, years ago. It was a lovely experience.

A view toward the auditorium, which has lots of events. See the writing room in center left of this photo? Upstairs? That's mine! (not really)

Another lovely B&B. 

How about you? Planning your summer break yet? Comment below!

American Dream: Owning a New England Farm

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Connecticut Yankees Say "Work on Your Dream Now, Before It's Too Late"

By Norma Jaeger Hopcraft

I have a friend in Stonington, CT, who has an ancient cemetery on her property, way back in the woods. On a gray winter's day, she took us there.

These are the stones of a husband and wife.

Hardly readable anymore because of the lichens.

This is it, the whole shebang.

A classic Connecticut rock wall on the former farmland. Did you know the state flower of Connecticut is the rock?

Lichens on the living trees, too.

The farmers left openings in the rock walls to drive a team through.

The fact that this wall is still standing after more than 100 years is a testament to the farmer's skill in building it.

My friend's sons sit on this overstuffed chair and wait for deer to walk by. It's not a happy ending for the deer. Her sons use almost every part of it for food, however.