Made it!!! Major milestone today getting to the halfway point. This was also the first Welcome to a state sign that I saw on this trip. It was on a backroad just after crossing the Delaware River into New Jersey. Totally surprised me.
This is the Delaware River just about at the State line. This was taken from the Portland-Columbia pedestrian bridge.
Looking back at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The river cuts through the Kittatinny Ridge in the center of the picture.
6th Cousins! Janel met Mike and I in Hope, NJ. She was super gracious for driving us all over Hope, Blairstown, Jenny Jump State Forest, and places I’m not sure I could ever find again. We visited cemeteries, ancestral houses, and old schoolhouses like the back-drop in the picture above. We stopped for lunch at a deli in Blairstown across the street from where they filmed parts of the 1st Friday the 13th movie. Super fun day! Thank you Janel!!!!
Our common ancestor is Sampson Howell (1718-1803). This was the 1st of 3 stone houses he built near Jenny Jump. All were built in the mid 1700s. Clearly he made some money — I guess by building a mill and supplying lumber to the Moravians who settled later in the area and built up the town of Hope.
There is so much history in this area because of the Howell family and it’s really exciting to read and see the different information that is available. Janel has done a ton of research on most of this but I would like to create a story that I can share some day. For now, just a few pictures that can’t come close to capturing all we did today. Cheers!
Helloooooooooo New Jersey! So proud of you!!
Thanks sweetie! It’s pretty crazy. Like the cliche says – “just one day at a time”. Many days in a row and you cross the country 😁
It was a fun time and I was happy to take you and Mike around. Safe travels back.
Thanks!!!
Does your route thru New York take you near Cooperstown? Home to BHOF.
I would have enjoyed visiting the baseball HOF. Mike even more than me. Unfortunately, that’s East of the route. I’m riding to Wilkes-Barre today from Tannersville, so already heading North and West.
Hey Dennis
Glad to see you made it to New Jersey . Would have loved to meet Janel and toured the town.
Enjoy the journey!
Greg and I almost back to normal, just to let everyone know 🙃
Glad to hear some news on that. And super glad you two are coming around. What a crazy turn of events for sure. So bummed you couldn’t meet her as well. She’s a hoot!
Congratulations, D!
Very fun! Thanks for the comments Dan. Love it!
Congratulations Dennis! You made it and connected with your distant family and ancestral history. Good for you my friend.
Thanks Jim. Not as originally planned, but getting it done nonetheless 🙂