Only in Bucks County: Washington's Crossing 2014

The next town over from me is Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. 

And yes, it is named after Washington's heroic crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day in 1775.

Better yet is that there's a reenactment of this historic feat every year on Christmas, and I picked a great year to finally go.

It was not very cold out for a December day, and the crossing went off pretty smoothly. (I learned that day that for safety reasons, the actors have only been able to cross 20 times out of the last 64 years.)

My goal was to get a few photographs capturing the feel of what the original crossing must have been like, and I'm really happy with the results. I felt a deep connection to an earlier time in American history, right in my own backyard. I highly recommend attending this event even if it's something you've never considered. 

 

                                                 Completely crossed.

 

What I love about this photo is the modern camera operator in the shot.
 

 

 

"Records kept by a Chatham Street, New York, merchant show that President George Washington spent approximately $200 for ice cream during the summer of 1784."

 

Only in Bucks County: My First Live Nativity

It was this time of year nine years ago when I first would visit Newtown from the Main Line. 

I'd get off of 95 North and see the enormous and magical holiday light display at Shady Brook Farm on the corner. I distinctly remember thinking, "I'll never do that; that must be what Bucks County people do." I was an outsider looking in.
Back then I couldn't have imagined how involved I'd get giving to the community or frequenting the events it offers. Barn tours...local fundraisers...light shows; I'm in!
So when my friend who is on several committees at Crossings Community Church in Newtown asked me to come take some photos of their Live Nativity the weekend before Christmas to use on their website and for their social media, I immediately said yes.
I hope my photos reflect the small town, country feel of their special event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

~ Marcel Proust