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When I was a kid, my mother would often take me and my brother, Tom, to a place called, New Hope, which was about 25 minutes from our home in Bucks County. She would drive out there on the weekends and take us for lunch; visit the farmer’s market; have an ice cream cone; antique shop; and then before we left, we would feed the ducks down on the canals with bread that we had brought from home.

New Hope is a charming little town with a special blend of quirkiness, history, an abundance of art galleries, sophisticated dining, and eclectic shopping. And for being such an old, historical town, New Hope is very forward-thinking, open and welcoming. It has such a great "vibe."

My mother, a true country girl, absolutely adored New Hope. In fact, she used to beg my father to purchase property so that they could build a home and retire there in their golden years. And back then, property in New Hope was extremely affordable. Currently though, the cost of property and living are sky-high because of its prime location in Bucks County. Many celebrities have second homes there, and not only because of its stunning location, but also because it’s tucked away in the country; therefore can they live peacefully and quietly.

I haven’t been back to New Hope since I was a young lad, even though I returned to Pennsylvania 14 years ago. You need a car to get there, and I don’t own one, so I haven’t been able to visit until just recently.

One of my co-workers was kind enough to offer to drive out there on Tuesday. She had always wanted to visit New Hope, so when we both ended up having the same day off this week, we took a 45-minute trip outside of the city.

The weather forecast predicted rain, which it did. But we got lucky because by the time we hit the road, the rain had stopped. Still, it was an overcast and somewhat chilly day, but the two of us didn’t mind it at all because we both happen to love those kinds of days. And as you will see from the photographs, it seemed more like autumn than spring.

This trip was very sentimental for me because memories of my beloved mother came flooding back. I could actually feel her spirit with me, recalling precious moments in my childhood and visiting this special little town.

Please enjoy some photographs of New Hope...


A view of New Hope from a hill.


Waterfall along one of the many canals.


Quaint and historical homes.


A rocking chair on a front porch.


The New Hope train station


A vintage train


Tree art!


These French fries sprinkled with sea salt were part of my delicious lunch that day. They were cooked to absolute perfection!


I loved this red metal door.


Cloudy, overcast sky.


A church steeple


When I was a kid, we would climb to the top through a spiral staircase within the tower. The view was spectacular!


And when I spotted these ducks and swan in a canal, I couldn't help but think of my mother. What a great way to end my day in a place that she loved so dearly - New Hope!

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!
X


30 comments:

  1. What a lovely post, Ron. It's great that you were able to visit Good Hope again and relive the days you went with your mother. It looks a fabulous place, no wonder she liked it so much. Loved the houses and the train - oh to see again a train with curtains at the windows. Were you able to go inside those wonderful historical homes?


    Hope you have a great weekend.... it only seems five minutes since I said that last time. Time is flying far too quickly x

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  2. Ron, I've never been further east in PA than the Lancaster area a few times, but I've always heard how nice Bucks County is. I'm glad you were able to revisit the past and remember your Mom in some of the sights. I LOVE that train station and the historical home is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your outing with us and have yourself a fabulous weekend!

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  3. Oh Ron, I got sentimental just reading this post and seeing these beautiful photographs. What a beautiful little town! Being from the northeast, I've heard of New Hope but never been. I love the vintage train, the view from the hill, and the overcast sky! And those French fries looked delicious!


    Glad you were able to spend the day there and recalled precious memories of your mother. I'm sure it felt almost bittersweet.


    Have a wonderful weekend, Ron x

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  4. Good morning Valerie!

    " It looks a fabulous place, no wonder she liked it so much."

    My mother absolutely adored New Hope. She always said that she wished our family could have a small piece of property there and with a horse and a barn. She loved horses!

    " and the train - oh to see again a train with curtains at the windows."

    Yes, don't you love the curtains in the windows? That train still runs, but only locally for tours.

    "Were you able to go inside those wonderful historical homes?"



    No, I thought the same thing but there is a sign out front (which you can see to left in the photo) that says, "Private Property," so I realized that people actually live in those homes.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. And yes, can you believe it's the weekend already!? Time is flying! Have a lovely weekend!


    X to you and Joe

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  5. " I've never been further east in PA than the Lancaster area a few times, but I've always heard how nice Bucks County is."


    OMG, Bijoux, Bucks County is stunning; especially New Hope and the surrounding area! And I was amazed by how much it's grown over the years. Yet, it still contains an 'old-time' feel. It's a mixture of the past with a very forward-thinking consciousness of the present.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend!


    X

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  6. Hola Denise!

    " Being from the northeast, I've heard of New Hope but never been."

    You would love it because it's still has a vintage feel to it, but at the same time a very open and forward-thinking consciousness. And I love that it has small and privately own businesses that are very prosperous.

    "And those French fries looked delicious!"

    OMG...they were sooooooo delicious! Hot and very crispy.

    " I'm sure it felt almost bittersweet."



    Yes, you're right, it did feel bittersweet. And I was surprised by how sentimental I got.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a wonderful weekend!
    X

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  7. Ron, my husband and I have talked about visiting New Hope several times, so it's ironic you posted about it. I'm surprised that there is no other way to get out there except by car. Is there not a train that can get you there?


    Your photographs are beautiful and make me want to visit soon! I love the rocking chair on the porch, the vintage train, and the historical homes. And that view from the hill makes New Hope almost look like Vermont.


    I'm so glad you were able to visit and relived some special memories of your mother. Isn't it something how certain places will do that for us?

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  8. Ron, this is such a beautiful post! Thank you so much for sharing these lovely memories of your mother and your visit to New Hope.


    It's amazing how we can find the spirit of our loved ones in these places from our past.Whenever I visit my aunt's farm in the Berkshires I always think of my mother because she loved it so much!


    I lived in the Poconos for 5 years but I'm really sorry I never got down to New Hope.It looks fabulous.


    And how I love the name--New Hope! That says it all. You go to this special place, recall your mom, and come away with new hope for life. I know your mother is up in Heaven smiling down on you!


    Take care and have a great weekend, buddy!

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  9. "And for being such an old, historical town, New Hope is very forward-thinking, open and welcoming. It has such a great "vibe." Ron, New Hope sounds like a place I would love. What cool looking town! My favorite photos are the cloudy, overcast sky, the tower, the tree art, and the red metal door. Love the vintage train too!



    Glad you were able to spend some time there and had special memories of your mother. Beautiful post, dude! Thank you for sharing.

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  10. Your photographs are exquisite, what a quaint place New Hope is! I'm glad you got the opportunity to travel down memory lane.

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  11. Oh Ron, I just loved this post, although it did make me choke up a bit, with thoughts of my own mom and how much I also miss her. This time of year, with her birthday almost here, it seems even harder. ;-(


    But, the photos, wow...you can really tell that you and that new camera are getting along very well, these are GREAT!!! I just loved the train station, most of all but they were all so clear and so appealing. Well done.


    Looks like my kind of place. Have you ever thought of moving there permanently?


    I hope you have a great weekend, and keep snapping those photos!!! Hugs, G

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  12. Ron, thanks sooo much for taking me along with you on your trip to New Hope -- what a lovely place it looks, and how delighted your dear mom must have been, knowing you were on the old stomping grounds!

    I've long been fascinated with trains, so I zeroed in on the train station and antique train photos. Beautiful! And I'm pretty sure French fries aren't "healthy," but when they're sprinkled with sea salt, why, they should be!!

    You're doing GREAT with that new camera, my dear -- what a wise investment that was!! Happy weekend!

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  13. This is such a sweet post. I enjoyed it very much. It made me remember how my Mom loved to feed the ducks at Idlewild Park in Reno. Thanks for stirring memories.

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  14. Hellooooo there Elaine!

    "I'm surprised that there is no other way to get out there except by car. Is there not a train that can get you there?"

    I know, can you BELIEVE it!?! You would think that Philadelphia would have a public transportation route (by either train or bus) that goes directly to New Hope because it's such a popular spot!

    "And that view from the hill makes New Hope almost look like Vermont."

    HA! I thought the same thing! And even though I've never been to Vermont, that picture looks like it's overlooking some quaint little town there!

    " Isn't it something how certain places will do that for us?"

    Yes, it is, because I could immediately feel my mother's presence with me that day. And childhood memories came flooding back.



    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super week! I hear the weather is going to be gorgeous in Philly tomorrow :)

    X

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  15. Thanks, Rob, and you are so welcome :)

    "It's amazing how we can find the spirit of our loved ones in these places from our past.Whenever I visit my aunt's farm in the Berkshires I always think of my mother because she loved it so much!"

    Yes, TOTALLY amazing! I had flashbacks of she, my brother and me, walking through the streets when we were kids. And I got very emotional because it was like she was there!

    "I lived in the Poconos for 5 years but I'm really sorry I never got down to New Hope.It looks fabulous."

    I know you would LOVE New Hope because it's a wonderful mixture of old history and very progressive thinking. It's faaabulous!

    "And how I love the name--New Hope! That says it all. You go to this special place, recall your mom, and come away with new hope for life."



    OMG, I cannot believe you said that because I was thinking the same thing about the name of the town, NEW - HOPE, and how it represents new hope for a different perspective on life. And it's funny because I had never really thought about its name until I was there on Tuesday.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a SUPER weekend!

    X

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  16. Matt, I have a feeling that you would LOVE this place because I know of your appreciation for art and history. And it's such a cool place because it has such an eclectic group of residents - young, old, bikers, hippies, gays, straights; all living together in acceptance.


    HA! And I knew would you like the cloudy, overcast sky because of our mutual love of anything that looks Gothic!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a most excellent weekend!
    X

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  17. Thanks, Suzi :) And I have a feeling that you would LOVE New Hope because it's art, rich history, and beautiful countryside location within nature!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a SUPER weekend!
    X

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  18. Hello there Geraldine!

    "it did make me choke up a bit, with thoughts of my own mom and how much I also miss her. This time of year, with her birthday almost here, it seems even harder. ;-("

    Yes, I felt the same way while visiting on Tuesday. I got very emotional, thinking of my mother and the fun times we had there when we were kids. I felt myself missing her SO much. And there was point when I could actually feel her smiling at me.

    "Looks like my kind of place. Have you ever thought of moving there permanently?"



    Funny you mentioned that because, yes, I did have thoughts of moving there. In fact, the co-worker I was with kept saying over and over again, "Oh, Ron...I could SO see you living here!" And while we were having lunch, she actually Googled the price of apartments. And OMG...are they ever expensive! But hey, moving there is still in the back of my mind, so who knows, I may one day!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a grrrrrrrreat weekend!

    X

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  19. Hey there Debbie!

    "and how delighted your dear mom must have been, knowing you were on the old stomping grounds!"

    Do you know what's funny? I could actually feel her smiling at me from above and so happy that I was in New Hope, her favorite town. I got very emotional that day because I could feel her in my heart.

    "I've long been fascinated with trains, so I zeroed in on the train station and antique train photos."

    Meeee too! Isn't the train faaaaabulous? They no longer use it to travel, other than taking tours of the surrounding area. Perhaps during the summer, if I go there again, I can take a tour and ride that train!

    " And I'm pretty sure French fries aren't "healthy," but when they're sprinkled with sea salt, why, they should be!!"



    AMEN! I also had a hamburger with those fries, which was equally as delicious :)


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a delightful weekend!
    X

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  20. Hey there Jean!

    Glad to hear you enjoyed and that it stirred memories for you as well :)

    " It made me remember how my Mom loved to feed the ducks at Idlewild Park in Reno."



    OMG, my mother would save all of our unused bread so that she could feed it to the ducks. She loved animals, the county, and nature.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a super weekend!
    X

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  21. Ron, what a touching post. And even though I didn't know your mother, I do remember all your posts about her and how close you were, so this made me sentimental with you. And I got a bit watery-eyed when I saw that last photo of the ducks and swan.


    I can see why your mother loved New Hope, just from your photographs. What a charming little town. That view from the hill is glorious! And I love that photo of the red metal door and vines. The image of the tower is beautiful as well.


    So tell me, did you consider moving to New Hope after your visit?


    Thanks for sharing your day with us, Ron. Enjoyed it.

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  22. Thank you for your sweet sentiment, Robert.

    "And I got a bit watery-eyed when I saw that last photo of the ducks and swan."

    I did too; especially after uploading it from my camera to my computer because when I REALLY looked at that photograph, the swan reminded me of my mother, and the two ducks my brother and me!

    "I can see why your mother loved New Hope, just from your photographs."

    She ADORED New Hope!

    "So tell me, did you consider moving to New Hope after your visit?"



    Ironic you mentioned that because, yes, I did consider it. VERY much! In fact, the co-worker I was with kept saying, "Oh Ron...I could SO see you living here!" And who knows, maybe one day I will. It's funny, because in as much as I am a city boy, I do love the country life!


    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a FABULOSO weekend!
    X

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  23. They have a train depot! Awwww...what a cool little spot. And what a well kept secret, not that I'm "in the know". It's adorable. And quiet. That's my deal, I require quiet. I live in a wee town for that reason, amongst many. Many you've captured. It's a dam, not a canal--but other that that, looks like home to me. Beyond nice to get in the car with a co-worker to visit such a nice spot. And wow what awesome photos. The whole lot made me miss your mom, but not in a sad way cuz she gave you such lovely memories and loved you well. You were blessed.

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  24. "They have a train depot!"

    HA! Yes, Mel, and I soooooo thought of YOU when I spotted it because of our mutual affection for trains!

    "It's adorable. And quiet. That's my deal, I require quiet. I live in a wee town for that reason, amongst many."

    And you would adore this town because it's right up your alley! But for a small town, it's got a lot going on in the way of art and culture.

    " The whole lot made me miss your mom, but not in a sad way cuz she gave you such lovely memories and loved you well. You were blessed."

    Amen!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear lady. Hope your weekend is going faaaabulously!

    X

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  25. hi Ron! I hope I can visit USA one day and go to New Hope :)

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  26. Hello there!

    I think you would really enjoy New Hope, too. It's such a charming little town with such a great energy!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're having a great weekend!
    X

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  27. Ron, I almost have no words for this one. Holy cow.... first of all what you were saying about your Mom made my chest tighten up...it choked me up so much! BEAUTIFUL! And how amazing for you to go there and take these pictures... your Mom was certainly enjoying it with you.

    These pictures... oh wow these pictures. I don't know where to begin. The red doors... WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW. and all the scenery... the houses....even the picture of the fries is spectacular. But my favorite favorite favorite is the tree art. LOVE THAT!

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  28. "And it's such a cool place because it has such an eclectic group of residents - young, old, bikers, hippies, gays, straights; all living together in acceptance." Sounds incredible, Ron! And that's the way it should be everywhere!

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  29. "And that's the way it should be everywhere!"


    Amen, Matt! I agree!

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  30. Hello there Katherine!

    " And how amazing for you to go there and take these pictures... your Mom was certainly enjoying it with you."

    I'm so happy that I got the opportunity to go out to New Hope on Tuesday! And yes, I could definitely feel my mother smiling with me :) I could feel my her within my heart.

    " But my favorite favorite favorite is the tree art. LOVE THAT!"



    Isn't that tree art faaaaaabulous? And I wouldn't have even spotted it, had my co-worker not seen it first. SHE'S the one who pointed it out to me.


    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you had a glorious weekend! The weather here was stunning, so I was outside all weekend enjoying it.


    X

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