My fledgling family moved to Lambertville, New Jersey twenty-one years ago. We moved from northern Jersey to this idyllic river town in 1989 and for the first ten years of our residency in this historic place we lived in a home built circa 1860 and renovated circa 1979. It had thick stone walls, a mansard roof and though the house was too small for a family of four and a crazy tree walking coon hound, it was just across the street from a canal that once was used to transport coal from the Pennsylvania mines to New York City. Since 1999 I've lived on Music Mountain, aptly named for the circus tent venue that once hosted acts and shows. Though the house is modern, it is directly across the street from state protected woods. When I want to walk into town I take a trail though the woods that leads to the heart of Lambertville. Country living in the city.... It is a wonderful place to raise a family and a grand place for the Vacation From Home team.
Go to Zagat and look up the town and you're greeted with numerous choices from Thai, to French, to Italian, to Japanese. There are several cozy, romantic bars like the Swan Hotel and the Boathouse or the Inn of the Hawke, where an afternoon can languidly meander toward evening. One can spend the day strolling the town to marvel at the well kept homes or along the pastoral canal. One can ask for a taste of a River Horse beer, or two, at the brewery. The Delaware River hedges the town and scullers and canoers and fishermen all find a slice of heaven on its waters. I've lived here for 21 years so far and have remained long after my family foundered and dissipated and though conditions in my life have changed I find myself dragging my feet about a move from this town.
Interested in more ribald entertainment? There's always New Hope, Pennsylvania, directly across the river from the quiet of Lambertville. This sister city is a popular destination for all things sketchy. Bikers and gays and tourists descend on the New Hope and it's many loud, obnoxious bars and ply the many candle shops and leather goods stores for the latest in bustiers. Gay pride week is rather popular and though I've never visited New Hope during the annual DRAG RACES, I understand it's a stilletto heel about ready to snap.
The two cities are such a contrast that it's shocking to imagine they can do anything together. But, this summer, they've started Friday Night Fireworks; a perfect destination for your favorite Vacations From Home team. Jointly held by the two cities it brings a lot of people into the towns and we decided to linger this past Friday to view them. The free bridge as well as both riverbanks are crowded with gawkers. The wing dam, south of the bridge about 3/4 of mile had people viewing from there (my son said that's where he was going) and from our perch on the bridge we could see flashlights on the Washington's Outlook on Goat Hill which has a spectacular view of the river and both towns.
Fireworks were set off from a barge in the middle of the river. The night sky was clear and there was a steady breeze from the south that billowed the gunsmoke in our direction. We ooed and aahed with the crowds and we watched honorary members of the VFH team, Janet's daughter and her fiance, embrace throughout the show. He is from England and had never experienced such an American event. We were thrilled to have him.
Yes, Lambertville is a great place to visit and a hard place to leave. If you're ever interested in coming down to see it yourself, the door is always open. I never tire of showing off this happy little place.
The rest of the weekend was spent in the opposite end of the spectrum. With the World Cup starting this weekend the swelled version of the VFH team trundled to the Trappe Tavern, which is near Collegeville, PA, to sit on their outdoor deck to watch England play the USA. A gimme goal sealed the "win" for USA, which actually ended in a draw 1-1. Our honorary international member of VFH, Adam, did not grouse or complain and took all the good natured jibbing well.
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