Delaware Water Gap

Trip legs (latest at top):

30 Sep 04 – Zen Mountain Monastery, Mt Tremper, New York
We arrive for our first stay this month at Zen Mountain Monastery in mid-afternoon Thursday. The monastery was built as a Benedictine monastery, then used as a Christian children’s summer camp, and finally converted to a Zen monastery in 1980. Our first visit is so Dawn may attend an Introduction to Zen Training workshop Friday through Sunday. Arriving a day earlier gives her a chance to settle in to the monastery's daily routine before the workshop begins Friday afternoon. Stephen will work at the monastery for the duration to help pay for his room and board. There are some more entries concerning Zen Mountain Monastery during our second visit for sesshin at the end of the month.

ZMM Main Entrance
Well, actually the main entrance is hidden behind the leafy tree on the left.

2 Oct 04 - Introduction to Zen Training at ZMM, Mt Tremper, New York
Dawn: Because a lot of the material was introductory, some of the workshop was a repetition for me, because I had been sitting for almost a year. I really enjoyed the monastic schedule, with everyone doing everything at the same time. Getting up, eating, work practice, chanting, meditation; it was all done together. I enjoyed the monastery itself… the grounds are beautiful and the building is very powerful. I strongly felt the presence of all the people that had chanted and prayed there over the last seventy-five years.

ZMM Historical Marker

3 Oct 04 – He Who Stands Firm, Mt Tremper, New York
After the Sunday morning program and lunch at ZMM, we visit an old friend of Stephen’s, who these days lives just 20 minutes from ZMM. He Who Stands Firm is an artist, quite literally, beyond description. Active in the community and Tibetan Buddhist circles, world traveler, artist, and social commentator, 15 years is too seldom to drop in on him. However, he was in Poland for 10 years, so I have an excuse. We share tea, and delight in antique texts and original artwork.

Afternoon Tea
The first Sunday of October, He Who Stands Firm makes tea for himself and two guests at his home in the Catskills.
He Who Stands Firm
Our gracious host, and longtime friend, He Who Stands Firm has only within the past few years returned from Poland.

4 Oct 04 – Condo Luxury, Shawnee-on-Delaware PA
After driving yesterday to take possession of a time-share condo for the week, my mother Rose Marie arrives today, and I drive to the Wilkes Barre/Scranton airport to pick up my sister Jacqueline and her 18-month old son Andrew. I have forgotten how noisy little kids can be.

5 Oct 04 – Promised Land Estate, Shawnee-on-Delaware PA
In the 1940’s my grandparents were one of four related couples who together built a vacation house in the Pocono Mountains. Across the street my mother now owns three adjoining lots, none of them buildable, separately or as a whole. However, we make the obligatory pilgrimage. We also manage to drive by the Mini Golf I used to play when I was a kid visiting during the summers. It looks pretty much the same.

Mom's Estate
One day, one quarter of all this will be mine.
Promised Land Mini Golf
Now it's obvious why I am such a spoiled brat.

6 Oct 04 – Mount Minsi, Delaware Water Gap NRA, Pennsylvania
Dawn and I escape the family atmosphere and drive a few minutes to the town of Water Gap, where we eventually locate an unmarked parking lot at a trailhead to the Appalachian Trail (AT). Here the AT runs through the middle of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. It has been about a week since we did any hiking, and we really enjoy stretching our legs with an hour-long climb south to the summit of Mt Minsi. The view just south of the summit makes for a great lunch spot.

Delaware River
This is the view from our lunch spot atop Mt Minsi, looking south down the Delaware River. We are a couple miles south of the town of Water Gap, Pennsylvania, and just a hundred yards east of the Appalachian Trail. On the left (east) side of the Delaware is New Jersey, on the right (west) side is Pennsylvania.
Lunch on Mt. Minsi
I'm not sure which is more beautiful, the view or my lovely wife Dawn!
Delaware Water Gap
Looking due east, from here we can't see the Delaware River which is in the gorge just below us. Here is the geology from the National Park Service on how the Delaware Water Gap was formed.
South to Water Gap
This vantage point is north of the Delaware Water Gap. Here the Delaware River is clearly visible.

7 Oct 04 – Visiting Italian Relatives, Easton, Pennsylvania
We all pack into Mom’s rental car and drive to historic Easton, Pennsylvania, where all Mom’s relatives lived at one time. Our first stop is the cemetery to pay respects, plant flowers, and clean headstones. Mom treats Dawn to her usual show of everyone’s future burial lots. We then visit my (deceased) grandmother’s sister, Aunt Mary, and her husband Uncle John. We eat of course, look at old family photos, and marvel over Aunt Mary’s refrigerator magnet collection.

Mom's Resting Place
Every couple years when we visit the family cemetery together, Mom has to do this. Now at least she can point her friends to this photo. When she finally kicks off, we'll probably have to hire one of those bands from New Orleans for her funeral procession. That ought to freak out the Italian relatives.
Restroom Signs
Take a good look. Which door would YOU use?
Giacomo's Italian Specialties
Notice the flags at the front door. If you are Italian and you are visiting Easton, PA, you have to stop here and buy some delicacies. Also, don't forget the 7th Street Bakery. Then you visit relatives and eat what you just bought, PLUS all the food they bring out. It's a kind of endurance event.
Wilson Borough, Pennsylvania
A little nicer neighborhood than I lived in, but characteristic of Wilson Borough, a very small town adjoining, and often mistaken for, Easton.
Uncle John and Aunt Mary
Mary is my (deceased) grandmother's sister. We let Uncle John in the family because of the great figs he used to grow in his backyard. Fresh figs are unbelievable.
Aunt Mary's Magnets
This is my Aunt Mary's refrigerator magnet collection. My son Parker is starting a magnet collection, so maybe this will inspire him.
Golfer Prince Andrew
My nephew plays better than I do, but I always win. That's because he can't understand math, so he can't tell I am cheating on the score card.
Cousin Junior and Yvonne
Junior is related to my mom on her dad's side. They kind of look alike, huh?
John, Francie, and Freddie
Related to my mom on her dad's side. Francie is my godmother, so I haven't told her about my being a Buddhist, yet. :-)