The GW Bridge from the Jersey side. Traffic flows despite all the King’s men. By Jean Bredin , Blogfinger staff. ©
I was born in Washington Heights N.Y., on the east side of the bridge. Our lives revolved around the George Washington Bridge. We were always visiting relatives in N.J., picnicking under the Bridge, walking across the Bridge, taking pictures of the Bridge.
My family moved to Fort Lee NJ in 1956. Our lives still revolved around the Bridge visiting relatives and friends in NYand hiking across with my children when they were little. It was a bit scary when you reached the middle, as the Bridge vibrated with all the traffic. The view from the center is breathtaking. Picnicking in Ross Dock, N.J. is wonderful while enjoying the view of the Bridge.
My mother, 94, still lives in Fort Lee. Today while visiting I was inspired to drive over and take this picture from Historic Park, on the Palisades where George Washington and his troops camped.
Jean Bredin
CHANTAL CHAMBERLAND with “La Mer,” The Hudson River isn’t exactly la mer, but it is close enough for jazz. The sentiment of the lyrics still applies:
“The sea
Has cradled them
Along the shores of clear bays
And with a love song
The sea
Has rocked my heart for life.”
Eileen and I lived in the shadow of the GW Bridge, near the toll plaza in Fort Lee, for one year. I was an intern in Manhattan at Mt. Sinai, so I took public transportation back and forth. There was a blizzard that winter, and I was determined not to sleep in the hospital after 32 straight hours on duty.
So I got a subway up to the bridge bus station, but all buses were grounded. I walked across the bridge in the storm along the north walkway with my right side facing out. When I arrived on the other side, the right side of my face was frozen. But it was nighttime, and the snow was beautiful and inspiring, even with half a brain.
It’s a good thing I had long pants. The next year we moved to the Big Apple, migrating east. —Paul Goldfinger
One of the best views of the Washington Bridge I have ever seen. The bridge opened up Bergen County. Interesting that you lived in Washington Heights and followed the natural migration across the bridge. The bridge provided stiff competition for the 125th Street ferry.
Factoid: The 50 cent toll was to be dropped after the cost of the bridge was recouped. Never happened and the toll is now well over ten dollars!
I love Jean Bredin’s idea to reminisce on Blogfinger along with a photo that she took herself. If any of you have some thing from your past to reminisce about, sent it to Blogfinger@verizon.net. Use Jean’s model as a template.–Paul @Blogfinger