Rail travel

And now for my new hobby, photos from trains. The Vermonter in particular offers a slower mode of travel, as do most Amtrak trains, given how little funding that form of transportation receives compared to rail systems in other industrialized nations. We see America's backyards, junkyards, and the infrastructure looks tattered at times, travelling at relatively slow speeds. It's a marvelous vantage point, elevated, looking down and outward. I like to place my phone right up against the glass but at a slight angle, and ideally, there is a little swoosh and another area in perfect focus.

 Riding the Vermonter from White River Junction to New York City and back again, a train that skirts the Connecticut River until it reaches New Haven more or less, I also find tremendous pleasure in the variations in light and color through the seasons. I don't quite know what to do with all these photos. I've hung some of them on my wall, horizontally, in sequence, to make them evoke a train and respect the chronology of the journey. They might be nice to publish in book form, with pages unfolding outward, representing each journey.

For the time being, I begin with the most recent ones, north to south, south to north, taken in August 2018. It was 70F southbound and 90 F northbound, hence the contrast between the crisp blue skies on the southbound route vs. the hazier light on the northbound route.

Southbound

 Northampton MA

 the Bronx, NYC

 Queens, NYC

Northbound

 Springfield MA

 Southern VT

 Brattleboro VT

 Bellows Falls VT

 North Walpole NH

 Windy Hill Road, Claremont NH

 About to cross into Windsor VT back across the Connecticut River, Mount Ascutney in the background

Bogart Street, Bushwick

Bogart Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn, NYC. "They" have figured out that the walk from the Jefferson Street L train station stop to Beacon's Closet is five blocks long. Five blocks to entice used clothing shoppers to stop and have a look before their predetermined destination. I did find a really nice cardigan at aforementioned BC. The vibe is mainly young French tourists looking for bargains and Boopsies on a Sunday trying the hipster vibe. Lots of coffee and beer joints to keep you hydrated between Williamsburg and Bushwick if you care to walk. This is what gentrification looks like. I am a guilty party, even as an out of towner. But, I do try to support the independent bookstores. Fortunately NY still has a few scattered around. I dropped off copies of my graphic novel "Empty Nesting" at Bluestockings on Allen Street (Lower East Side) and Desert Island Books in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 

Recycled hats

I just stumbled upon these hats made in Portland Oregon, Flipside Hats,  at my local food coop. Too cool for school and good for the environment! I had to buy one, and it fits nicely in my bag, folded up, waiting for the sun. And they're made from recycled fabric!