[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by inFamousKicks

Nice write up, and awesome photos. That last shot of you driving over the bridge almost makes it look like a video game or something lol

inFamousKicks,

Thanks! I stopped in the middle of the Frenchtown bridge because it looked like it would make an interesting photo. But then it looked kind of boring, just sitting there, so I tried a little Photoshop magic on it. I really liked the resulting 142-mph version, but I got worried that someone (like Officer Friendly) would think that I'd actually driven over the open-grate bridge that fast, and with my hands off the wheel to take a picture…

So I compromised, and learned how to make an animated GIF in the process. It's probably not as outrageous as the time that I created a photo of myself flying over the super-secret NSA headquarters--in a spy-plane from their own museum!



Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by kdbryce

I was hoping this would be posted to the homepage.... there ya go!

kd,

Yep, Jason spotted it and thoughtfully added it to the home page--and the views & comments really took off!

Rick

[John Tanglewood]

So much thought and love devoted to a place I always thought so little about. I grew up around the Delaware River but never knew a bit about anything you posted, albeit some mandatory things.

Also yes......comfort access is awesome.

Thanks so much for this post.

[sq86]

Great post! It's nice to see all of the things that you wrote up on the area. I'm lucky enough to drive on some of these roads while going up to my parents house. I live in SEPA and my parents live 6 minutes from Frenchtown. I learned some really interesting stuff from your post. Great pics too!!

[DaveL--2mnycars]

fascinating!
you describe this riverside tour so well, I feel I must surely have been along for the ride!

You have me longing for our own 2007 335 tin-top cabriolet. same colour and all! regret it was sold. My 93 year old Mother In Law had passed away, and we no longer needed to cart the 3 of us, and her walker. Though for a while, our two Golden Retrievers enjoyed the view from its back seat.

excellent tale. thanks for giving me notice it was here.

By the way, I enjoyed our 335 cabriolet more than our 2003 M3 Dinan 3 Cabriolet\SMG it replaced. Don't tell my wife. I didn't enjoy this early SMG.

DaveL

[gtmassive75]

Rick, thanks for the Educational post and pictures, great work.. Had my 10 and 13 yr old read the post..
BTW nice car..love the interior color.

[uniter]

Great article and coverage, I live in Doylestown and knew Violet growing up, she's delightful. Geri was an Elementary school teacher of mine and one of the most supportive and wonderful people I've had the pleasure of knowing.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Rick F.

I really liked the resulting 142-mph version...

That bridge photo brought back a memory for me. When I was a kid and got in trouble, my dad always uttered these feared words: "Let's go for a little ride". So years ago I sent him a similar picture doctored-up with my own son, just to let him know I'd improved on his tactic.

[SoCali E36]

This is simply amazing! I'd much rather do this over a Euro delivery any day.

[infamousq]

Great write up. My wife is from Bucks County PA so I have seen some of the places you have been brings back memories thanks!!!

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

wonderful!

dreamspeed,

Aw shucks! (Glad you enjoyed the write-up.)

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by monkawekrue

badass write up. thanks for sharing the pics OP, inspired me to drive somewhere all wicked like this

monkawekrue,

You're very welcome. And definitely get out there and do some exploring of your own! Don't forget to post a few pic's, too.

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by Jonjt

This is incredible. I also have to complement you for parking and taking a picture on main street in my home town!

Jonjt,

Glad you liked it! I've been known to park in the middle of bridges for photos, too--occasionally to the annoyance of someone who wants to, you know, use the bridge for crossing something…

All in the name of Great Art!

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by crawfordbay

Incredible! History, travel and BMW in one article!? This is my ultimate read! I'm inspired to get out on the road and explore. Thanks!

crawfordbay,

It's a lot of fun to drive a BMW for the sake of driving. But it's also fun to use one for the purpose of exploration, sightseeing, etc. and to enjoy the excellent drive as part of the overall experience.

Early explorers probably felt the same way about their horses and canoes!

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by vrmoreno3

SPEECHLESS

vr,

GREAT!

Seriously, I'm glad you liked the report. More to come in the future.

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Great write up and beautiful pictures!!! It was really interesting to see my entire "home area" through fresh eyes (and also learn a little something about things I see every day) Thank you for this

wrickem,

Thanks! The remarkable thing is that every one of the towns I went through merits hours of exploration. The whole area is so full of history and fascinating history--it would be a great place to live.

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Did you switch car?

Great write up!! I always read your articles in zpost.

Silververtu,

Yep, I traded Z4 toward the 335i and also sold my Acura TL (to the owner of the shop that performed the Maryland State inspection). I wanted to consolidate to a single car, and the 335i fits the bill perfectly.

I'll continue to post these reports on the ZPOST board as well, at least until someone throws me out!

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by MSteve5036

Wow. This thread delivers. I am from Easton, PA and your thread was still teaching me things about the area. I also bought my first bimmer from Doylestown Definitely a great trip and story.

I was kind of hoping you were going to touch on a couple cool facts about the area. Since you were in Phillipsburg, NJ and Easton, PA, I wasn't sure if you knew about the annual thanksgiving football rivalry. Since 1906 the two schools have played each other in football on Thanksgiving Day (stopping only once during WWII). It is played at Fisher Field at Lafayette College, and was the first nationally televised high school football game. It is a huge tradition for families in the area and is part of some of my fondest memories growing up.

Another fun fact is that Easton was one of the first three places the Declaration of Independence was read. It was first proclaimed in Philadelphia on July 8th and later that day in Easton and Trenton.

Anyway, thought you might enjoy that. Again, awesome post

MSteve,

I really loved Easton, and it's definitely on my list of places to return to.

Thanks for the info about the football rivalry with Phillipsburg, and the Declaration of Independence. I'd read about the latter, but I always end up leaving out some things that I'd like to include, as a result of space considerations. I got pretty wrapped up in the story of the Rinek family--they and their houses, rope company, and early airplane history weren't even on my radar before I got to College Hills. I just chanced upon Norvin's unusual house after being disappointed not to get a good photo of the Heller house.

Serendipity strikes again!

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

So much thought and love devoted to a place I always thought so little about. I grew up around the Delaware River but never knew a bit about anything you posted, albeit some mandatory things.

Also yes......comfort access is awesome.

Thanks so much for this post.

John,

I know what you mean. I grew up mostly in Frederick, MD, which is enormously historical in its own right. But I paid relatively little attention to its Civil War sites, Francis Scott Key, Roger Brooke Taney, Barbara Fritchie, the Hessian barracks, historic churches, etc., etc. I was too busy playing basketball and asking girls out on dates.

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by sq86

Great post! It's nice to see all of the things that you wrote up on the area. I'm lucky enough to drive on some of these roads while going up to my parents house. I live in SEPA and my parents live 6 minutes from Frenchtown. I learned some really interesting stuff from your post. Great pics too!!

sq86,

A surprising number of folks from the Delaware River Valley have commented here. It's nice to see so many BMW owners with an interest in the history and beauty of this area. In fairness, I did see a lot of Beemers and Bimmers during my trip.

Have fun tracking down some of the places I visited (and let me know if you want a GPS file with the sites indicated).

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by 2mnycars

fascinating!
you describe this riverside tour so well, I feel I must surely have been along for the ride!

You have me longing for our own 2007 335 tin-top cabriolet. same colour and all! regret it was sold. My 93 year old Mother In Law had passed away, and we no longer needed to cart the 3 of us, and her walker. Though for a while, our two Golden Retrievers enjoyed the view from its back seat.

excellent tale. thanks for giving me notice it was here.

By the way, I enjoyed our 335 cabriolet more than our 2003 M3 Dinan 3 Cabriolet\SMG it replaced. Don't tell my wife. I didn't enjoy this early SMG.

DaveL

Dave,

Hello old friend! I hope Canada has finally defrosted enough for you and your wife to get the 911 cab out for a drive.

Regarding your 2007 335i, I hope your poor mother-in-law didn't have to ride in the backseat! The first time I took a couple of folks for a ride in my new car, the one in the back needed a skyhook to get out. (That was before I learned about the switch on the setback for scooting the seat forward.)

Hope all is well.

Rick

[Rick F.]

Originally Posted by gtmassive75

Rick, thanks for the Educational post and pictures, great work.. Had my 10 and 13 yr old read the post..
BTW nice car..love the interior color.

gtmassive,

You're quite welcome, and I hope your kids enjoyed it, too.

Regarding my 335i, I made sure to get another BMW in metallic sapphire black, like my Z4, so that I wouldn't have to buy new touch-up paint… Seriously, since I was buying a car off the lot, I was very pleased to get one in a color combination that I really liked.

Rick