Wednesday, August 04, 2021
Walking Over The Benjamin Franklin Bridge From Philly to Jersey, And Back
I have such a weird love/fear relationship with bridges. A part of me (the part that doesn't like heights) is apprehensive to cross a bridge, yet another part of me feels drawn to do it. And being that I enjoy taking photographs, I love the various views you can capture from a bridge. Strangely enough, I don't fear walking across a bridge as much as I fear crossing a bridge in a moving vehicle; particularly if someone else is driving. I have this phobia that the vehicle will suddenly go out of control and crash through the guardrail and plummet into the water, where upon I'll get trapped inside the vehicle with all the windows closed and drown to death.
Dramatic, aren't I?
When I lived in New York City, I enjoyed walking across the Brooklyn, Queensboro, and Manhattan bridges and experiencing some of the most amazing views of Manhattan and surrounding boroughs. And speaking of heights, I've also been to the Empire State Building, World Trade Center Twin Towers, Top of the Rock and top of the Statue of Liberty, all of which freaked me out, but did it anyway.
Yet for as long as I've lived in Philly, I have never walked across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge that goes from Philadelphia to Camden, New Jersey. For some reason, I had no idea there was even a pedestrian walkway, I thought it was a bridge solely for cars and trains.
However, one day I went online and googled the bridge and discovered that it did, in fact, have a pedestrian walkway.
So, do you know what I did?
Two weekends ago I walked across the bridge with my Canon and snapped a TON of photographs. I apologize for such a photo heavy post, but I couldn't help myself. I went camera crazy that day.
Pleases enjoy a scenic walk over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge...
View looking at Camden...
I loved these faaaabulous apartment patio's that I could see as I walked over the bridge, so I just had to take a few snaps...
Bridge Workmen
I can't help it, but whenever I see a workman wearing a hard hat, I immediately think of the Village People...
Center City, Philadelphia...
The Waterfront Beer Garden at Cherry Street Pier. This one is for you, Bijoux!
View of the beer garden from inside the pier..
Waterfront apartment/condominiums...
These final shots were taken midway over the bridge, looking back at the Philadelphia skyline...
Thanks so much for taking this walk. Hope you enjoyed! 💗
I'm there with you all the way!! What glorious scenes. Picture post card perfect. (I too have a fear of heights..
ReplyDeleteAND water above my head). But, I think I could walk across. Perhaps with shaky legs, but I would at least attempt. One bridge I could not walk across was the expansion budge near Cañon City Colorado. Royal Gorge. Looking down, and having the bridge swaying on the wind was too much. The highest I've climbed was the Washington Monument years ago. Seeing the capitol (and capital) from all the windows was phenomenal.
http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com
Oh, how fun, Ron! And it looks like it was a glorious day for you! Omg, I would love that beer garden right on the water!!! How relaxing! And those rooftop patios are so amazing!! I feel the opposite of you, though, with heights. I’m ok if enclosed, but if it’s open air, I’m hyperventilating !! I’d never be able to cross the bridge on foot. Partly because I’m sure it’s windy and I imagine being blown right off!! You should see me when I’ve visited the Grand Canyon. I go nowhere near it! I did go to the top of the WTC in the ‘80’s and the Top of the Rock ten years ago, but I did not enjoy it! Lol!
ReplyDeleteMy fave photo is the one with the entire freighter. So cool! Once, a friend took me to watch the freighters go under bridges in Cleveland and we found a site online that follows them in real time, giving the name of the freighter and where it came from and where it was going. It was really interesting!
Thanks for the shout out and have a great week! XO
Oh my god, Ron, these photographs are gorgeous! You have such an amazing eye with the camera. I love the shots of the bridge from a distance. I also love the ones of the Philadelphia skyline and the boats in the water.
ReplyDeleteI too have a fear of heights. I don't mind being in plane and looking out a window at how high it is because I'm enclosed. But I can't stand being in an open space, high up, such as a balcony. I freak out! LOL!
That beer garden looks so cool. I like how the roof is exposed!
Thanks for the walk. Enjoyed it! xo
Hey there Anni!
ReplyDeleteAw....thank you. I had so much fun taking these photos. I was out there for almost two hours.
You too? Yes, I don't have as much apprehension walking across a bridge as I do driving.
" One bridge I could not walk across was the expansion budge near Cañon City Colorado. Royal Gorge. Looking down, and having the bridge swaying on the wind was too much."
OMG, I've seen photos of that bridge and I'm with you, there is no well in HELL I could walk across that bridge. The openness and the swaying part would scare me to death. HA!
"The highest I've climbed was the Washington Monument years ago. Seeing the capitol (and capital) from all the windows was phenomenal."
I bet that was AMAZING! I would love to do that one day!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Anni. Have an awesome Wednesday!
X
Yes, the day was indeed GLORIOUS! No heat, no humidity and there was a gorgeous breeze. I was in HEAVEN!
ReplyDelete" Omg, I would love that beer garden right on the water!!! How relaxing!"
Yes, I promise you that if you and your husband ever come to Philly for a visit, I will take you there. That whole area of the city is so cool. Lots of places to eat and things to do. We could spend a whole day there. As soon as I spotted that beer garden, I thought of you!
"I feel the opposite of you, though, with heights. I’m ok if enclosed, but if it’s open air, I’m hyperventilating !! I’d never be able to cross the bridge on foot."
I'm kinda the same way about enclosed spaces versus open. However for some reason, walking across an open bridge doesn't freak me out. I don't know why.
" I did go to the top of the WTC in the ‘80’s and the Top of the Rock ten years ago, but I did not enjoy it! Lol!"
HA! OMG, that made me laugh. I had originally thought that WTC would scare the shit out of me, but oddly enough it didn't. And I think because to observation desk was set in, so that you couldn't actually walk to the edges of the roof and look down. That's what bothers me the most about heights, looking down.
Isn't that freight the coolest? I took about 4 photos as it was approaching the bridge, so I was able to get a FULL shot of it, plus the tail end.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week!
X
Hello there, Candice!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words. I went crazy with my camera that day. I was out there for at least two hours that day. And the weather was perfect - no heat or humidity. And there was a glorious breeze. I really love being by water.
" I don't mind being in plane and looking out a window at how high it is because I'm enclosed. But I can't stand being in an open space, high up, such as a balcony. I freak out! LOL!"
Yes........same here! Flying in plane doesn't bother me to look out. But if it's an open space (like a balcony) forget it. Scares the hell out me. I also can't look down if I'm high up. But I can look out.
Isn't the beer garden faaaaaaabulous? I love the open roof too. It's so cool!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week!
X
Ron, these photos are gorgeous, and I'm glad you summoned sufficient bravery to make the trek across the bridge! What is it about bridges that makes us afraid? I've got the same uncomfortable feelings when I drive across one (and even those swinging pedestrian bridges make me nervous). The Lake Pontchartrain Bridge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Pontchartrain_Causeway) gives me the willies, as does the Mackinac Bridge (https://www.mackinacbridge.org/). And the bridges crossing the Mississippi River are nearly as bad, especially when there's lots of traffic (especially semis!)
ReplyDeleteYou got some great shots, though, and I enjoyed seeing your part of the country. Have a wonderful rest of your week! xx
Remarkable photos, Ron! You really captured the grandeur of the bridge. And I like how you shot the different sections of it. Love that shot of the support on the underside of the bridge. So industrial. Those outdoor apartment patio's are so cool. I wish I had one of those in my apartment. If I ever come to Philadelphia, I've got to check out the beer garden because I'm a beer lover. What neat place!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about driving over a bridge because I have the same phobia. LOL!
Great walk, Ron!
Ron, I forgot to mentioned in my first comment about your reference to hard hats and the Village People. Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteHa! I couldn't resist!
ReplyDeleteHey there Daniel!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I took the shots of the bridge itself, after I walked over it. And I have to say that I was so impressed by all the really neat areas under the bridge. Yes, I love the industrial look! Aren't the patio's soooooooo cool? I wish I had one too!
"If I ever come to Philadelphia, I've got to check out the beer garden because I'm a beer lover. What neat place!"
Yes, and if you do, I'll take you there myself. That whole pier area has some really neat restaurants, art galleries, and stores. In all my time living in Philly, I never knew they were there.
"I know what you mean about driving over a bridge because I have the same phobia. LOL!"
Glad to hear I'm not the only one!
Always great to see your comments, Daniel. Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your week!
X
Thank you, Debbie! I went crazy with my camera that day because I was very excited to experience that bridge for the first time! Isn't it fun to see where everyone else lives? I find it interesting to see various parts of not only the U.S., but the world as well.
ReplyDelete"What is it about bridges that makes us afraid? I've got the same uncomfortable feelings when I drive across one (and even those swinging pedestrian bridges make me nervous)."
You too?!?! And yes, those swinging-type bridges make me extremely nervous because you can feel them moving. YIKES!
And thank you so much for sharing the links to those bridges, they're both beautiful and VERY long! They remind me of the 7 mile bridge that goes to the Keys in Florida. It is so freaky to drive across that bridge because it seems like it's never going to end.
Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaabulous rest of your week!
X
I have that exact same fear when driving over a bridge! Entrepreneur hates driving across bridges. They are architectural wonders to me how much it takes to keep the darn thing up out of the water! Your photos are fabulous so thank you for being brave enough to cross the bridge. I think I could spend an entire afternoon just hanging out in that beer garden...it's lovely. Hope your week is going well. X
ReplyDeleteNo worries at all, Ron, about posting many photos and thanks for sharing all. As you know, I attended college in Philly (many eons ago) and am sure that my father drove across the Ben Franklin bridge. I was unaware that there was a pedestrian walkway both during my college years and afterwards. I didn't remain in the city after graduation, but surely would have walked the bridge if there.
ReplyDeleteI have walked across a few bridges including the Brooklyn Bridge, many years ago. Also been in the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center.
Glad you had such a great day with "picture perfect" weather. Those apt patio views were great as was that beer garden, a fun place for sure. My favorite pic, besides the bridge ones, was the freighter.
Lisa, I am sooooooo glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has that fear when driving over a bridge. It's a scary feeling, isn't it? I sometimes have to distract myself by NOT looking out the window and thinking about something else until the cross is completed. HA!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, they ARE architectural wonders, aren't they? I'm always amazed by how they actually construct them?!?
Isn't that beer garden faaaaaaaaaabulous-looking? I love the open roof!
Hope you're week is going well too. Thank so much for stopping by, my friend!
X
Hi there, D!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's right, you DID college in Philly (Temple I think). And me neither, I had no idea there was a pedestrian walkway until I googled it one day and saw that they did. I was so happy too, because I was dying to take pictures while walking across it. And I had soooooooo much FUN!
"I have walked across a few bridges including the Brooklyn Bridge, many years ago. Also been in the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center."
That's awesome! Not many of us can say that we were at the original World Trade Center Twin Towers. It was a beautiful view from the observation deck, wasn't it? When I lived in NYC, my friends and I would go up the Empire State Building a lot. Back then I think it was only $5 dollars to go to the observation deck. Now it's $42.00 AND you have to make a reservation!
Aren't those patio views fabulous? I bet the view from them at night is spectactular!
Thanks so much for stopping by, D! Hope you're having a fantastic week! Gosh, I can't believe we're already into August?!
X
Hey, Ron, wanna buy a bridge?
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, this is a fantastic post. Your incredible photography skills on a full display here as I felt like I was walking right alongside you across that bridge.
I understand your unease about bridges. I prefer driving on the lower level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge rather than the upper level. I just feel so exposed up there. The Henry Hudson Bridge also creeps me out. It ain't long, but it's scary.
But the thing about bridges is that they also represent possibilities and adventure. They connect places that were once separated and encourage us to explore and move forward. Just don't look down.
Thanks so much for these great images, buddy. If this damn pandemic ever ends, you, me, and Bijoux should all go to that beer garden and dance our asses off to the Village People!
Take care!
Rob, I freaking LOVED your comment. You crack me the hell up with your clever wit!
ReplyDeleteOooo...I've never been over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge OR The Henry Hudson Bridge. But I just googled them and you're right about the Henry Hudson Bridge, it's scary-looking!
"But the thing about bridges is that they also represent possibilities and adventure. They connect places that were once separated and encourage us to explore and move forward."
I love your analogy, it's FAB-U-LOUS because it's sooooooooo true!
"If this damn pandemic ever ends, you, me, and Bijoux should all go to that beer garden and dance our asses off to the Village People!"
Okay, it's a date! Get your hard hat ready!
Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have an awesome rest of your week!
X
Ron, these photos ROCK! As long as I've known you, I've watched how your gift with the camera has grown. So impressive! I really like the shots of the boats in the water. How did you get such a closeup of the freighter? Such a great capture. And I love the ones of the bridge in long shot. The beer garden is just the coolest looking thing.
ReplyDeleteI feel like you do when it comes to bridges. It's not only the height issue, but the feeling of being out of control in a moving vehicle. I get very tense driving over a bridge. And it doesn't even have to be a large bridge, it can any bridge.
Enjoyed the walk, dude!
Hiya Matt!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Being a self-taught photographer, it helps to get out there and continue practicing. I learn from my mistakes.
I got that shot by using the lens on manual mode. I took several shots of the freighter from a distance, and then quickly began adjusting the zoom as it moved closer and closer.
Isn't that beer garden fabulous? And I never even knew it was there until I took photographs that day.
"It's not only the height issue, but the feeling of being out of control in a moving vehicle. I get very tense driving over a bridge. And it doesn't even have to be a large bridge, it can any bridge."
Same here! I get very tense driving over a bridge. And yet, walking over is not that bad.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Matt! Hope you're enjoying a great week!
X
Ron, I always discover so many places that are "gems" in Philadelphia from reading your blog. We had no idea that beer garden or apartment/condos were down on the waterfront. We will definitely be checking it out soon, especially since we've be having the best weather lately. Your pics of the bridge are stupendous! I always enjoy your "perspective" in all the photos you take. You've got a great eye for capturing the perfect image.
ReplyDeleteBeing a New Yorker, I've crossed over all the bridges you mentioned. Don't you just love the views from the Brooklyn Bridge? I love how you can see all over Lower Manhattan. I so miss seeing the Twin Towers from that bridge.
Thanks for another interesting post. Ron. And such lovely photos! Enjoy this weather! xo
Hellooooooooooo there, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteMe neither, and I've been living in this city for the past 20 years! And not only that, but I walk down to the waterfront quite often because I like being by the water. I really like that area of Philly because it has so much history.
Aren't those apt/condo's fantastic? I would LOVE to have one of those!
Yes, the weather that day (and for the past 4-5 days) has been awesome. It almost feels a bit like Autumn rolling in.
"Don't you just love the views from the Brooklyn Bridge? I love how you can see all over Lower Manhattan. I so miss seeing the Twin Towers from that bridge."
The BEST! I can't tell you how many times I've walked over that bridge. When I first lived in NYC, I lived at the Pace University dorms, which is right next to the Brooklyn Bridge, so my friends and I would walk over it A LOT. Me too, I miss seeing those twin towers. Sometimes I'll see them in a movie when they film the skyline of NY and become sad because they were part of the NY skyline for YEARS.
Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Have a great rest of your week and enjoy this weather while we have it!
X
Ron, I laughed at your phobia of driving over a bridge because it's the same phobia I have, I mean it!. And it's not only when someone else is driving, but me as well. Is it crazy to say this? But sometimes I feel like I have to stop myself from MAKING the car crash through the guardrail LOL!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photographs! Do you mind if I ask what model of Canon do you own? You have a great eye for composition. And the photos are crystal clear.
That beer garden looks like a place I could spend LOTS of time in. I really enjoy beer!
OMG Clair, I think the SAME THING sometimes, I kid you not! In fact I was talking with some of my coworkers several months ago about that and asked them if they ever felt the same when driving a car and TWO of the people said YES! So it must be something that many people feel. And sometimes when I'm on a very high building, I get the sensation that I want to JUMP. HA!
ReplyDeleteI own a Canon Rebel t5. I got it about 6 years ago and got a great deal on it. It's not one of Canon's top of the line cameras, but it's a good solid camera. The only thing I need to change is the lens. I eventually want to get a stronger lens that has more options. Here's the link if you would like more information about the camera.
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/cameras/eos-dslr-and-mirrorless-cameras/dslr/eos-rebel-t5-ef-s-18-55-is-ii-kit
isn't that beer garden fantabulous? I love the open roof!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying a really great weekend!
X
I am wigged out by heights, too, but still love going up to high places. I ate at the Windows on the World restaurant once and loved that view and don't miss a chance to climb a light house, cross a bridge, or go up on a mountain lift - but I also always imagine plummeting to my death! Gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteMeeeeeeeee too! Isn't it something how we can be wigged out by heights, yet STILL love going up to high places?!?!
ReplyDelete" I ate at the Windows on the World restaurant once and loved that view,"
OMG, that's awesome! You know, that's one thing I never did but know several people who have and said the view while sitting there dining was amazing!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my Libra friend! Hope you're enjoying the summer and your property!
X
Thanks so much for sharing the link to the camera. I am going to look into it and then stop by a camera store in the mall by my house and see if they carry it, just so I can see it in person.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are so welcome, Clair! Yes, check it out at the camera store, this way you can see it and touch it and ask questions. It's a great camera that's not too expensive. I think you'll enjoy it.
ReplyDelete