We were driving on Route 287 to southern New Jersey. As soon as we hit Route 206 we’d be on our way to spending a perfect day in Lambertville: one of our favorite places to stroll, meander in and out of art galleries, and walk along the Delaware Canal where barges, pulled by mules, used to pull boats through the canal.
The first sign causing a double take was a street called “Dory Dilts Road.” I know it’s not polite to laugh, I thought, But I am very happy that I don’t live on “Dory Dilts Road.” Not only that, but I am extremely grateful that I wasn’t born with a name like Dory Dilts. Can you imagine the teasing that poor child must have endured at school?
A few miles down the road was the exit sign for the State park. That brings back memories. That State Park was the site of the Old English Sheepdog Dog Show, where we went for a fun afternoon one summer and came home with a new Old English Sheepdog puppy. I remember that whenever anyone asked what kind of dog an Old English sheepdog was I explained, “The one in Disney movies whose fur always falls over its eyes,” and they immediately visualized the dog I meant.
Onward towards Lambertville we passed the exit to Flemington. It took will power to keep driving and not detour for a quick stop at their many outlet shops. Who can’t resist a bargain, and the Flemington shops are famous for their bargains on clothing, shoes and kitchen ware. But shopping was a different mindset from strolling the barge walks and visualizing donkeys pulling the barges through the canal.
The drive to Lambertville was fraught with temptations, and was difficult to stay focused on the goal. That’s because next on the road was the Amish Food market, where Amish farmers bring home baked goods, meat specialties, home made pickles (have you ever tasted “pickled baby beets”) and other wonders designed to make the mouth water. And they do whether we stop or stay the course, resist temptation and keep driving.
Deprived but determined we reach our destination. What a beautiful afternoon to be out in the country! The Delaware River was full of graceful sailboats and fishing boats, the colors in the canal were sparkling, and the dirt path alongside was unspoiled and uncrowded. We meandered in and out of the many art galleries in town, and completed the day with a lovely dinner in a restaurant alongside the canal.
We were glad not to have succombed to the temptations along that road on Route 287 south, and to have left all those exits as old memories.
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "Drive to Memories" (28)
I had forgotten about Lambertville. It’s been years since I’ve been there. Such a perfect little getaway. Not I’ve got the itch to return!
It probably hasn’t changed much in the time you’ve been away. I bet you’ll have a wonderful time there.
Aww, what a charming post, Ronnie! And, yes, names do matter. Best of all I loved your title…Drive to Memories. Heart-warming! 🙂
Thanks, Mal; I suppose Hawaii is a bit too far to come out to Lambertville for an afternoon drive.
Next time, I’m thinking you need to stop at a couple exits and add a little adventure. Glad you enjoyed the journey.
Yes, and with spring a mere 2 months away we will be sure to do that!
You’re talking about my stomping grounds. I love to go for walks on the D&R canal then reward myself with a tea in Lambertville. Sometimes I drive down there just to feed the ducks. Sounds like you had a wonderful day!
We always do, and prefer going there than into New York City.
Sounds and looks so lovely!
Thank you, although I don’t know why I am trying to take the credit for discovering it!
What a lovely description of your journey. We love that area– great biking.
Yes, although the canal path it is a competition between the walkers and the bikers.
About twenty-five years ago, I spent a beautiful New Year’s Eve just across the river, in New Hope. What a beautiful area, and you described it perfectly. Can we assume this trip wasn’t in the past couple of weeks?
Why would you assume that, Charlie? You had a wonderful time there on New Year’s Eve, many years ago. Last week was New Year’s Eve.
But not to pick on you, you’re right; we like to go when we don’t expect a gift of frostbite along with the adventure.
This is one of our favorite spots–we rented a farmhouse in Frenchtown for our 25th wedding anniversary (over 10 years ago!) and just had the best time in the area.
What a lovely idea: it never occurred to me to rent a house there.
Sounds like a great outing… when we visited the USA we did quite a bit of tasting of the Amish food… don’t know how you bypass it… the temptations were too much for us… Ronnie I read Harvey’s comment… and they say men get lost…lol
The answer is that there never is enough time to do all the wonderful things available. If we had an extra day we could have done all the extras and still have walked the Delaware Canal path.
Hi Ronnie,
Your little journey sounded wonderful but how could you possibly pass up that Amish food. No One passes up an Amish marked – no one !!! …and Harvey, when you get to be my age you will have learned not to question a wife’s stories or thoughts. You’ll just say “yes dear” and take the right roads anyway despite what she says.
That is great advice, and I will make sure my everlovin’ reads your comment!
My dear wife
we have had wonderful times in Lambertville and environs. But, if people follow your route on Rt. 206 they will never get to Lambertville. I know you were concentrating on the thought of that delicious Amish food when we turned onto Rt. 202, not Rt. 206. Bye the bye, don’t forget to turn off of Rt. 202 onto Rt. 31 South if you want to get to Lambertville.
All the rest is very accurate and I am glad, neither of us was born on Dory Dilts Rd.
As I always tell you, my dear husband, listen to what I’m thinking, not to what I say! But thanks for the corrections. I might not have a great sense of direction, but I surely have a memory for names: Dory Dilts indeed!
Lamberville. Outlet malls! Stay focused! Scenic drive and Delaware River. Amish goodies! It all sounds lovely, Ronnie. I’m sure the detours were tempting, but you day sounds amazing.
It is really a terrific place to visit. And when you get home you feel as if you’ve been on vacation for a few days.
You have eloquently described an absolutely perfect day! I’m so envious and now I want to go to all those other places too – the barges and the galleries, the discount shops and the Amish farmers market. Is there any place around there to camp out?
Yes, there certainly are camping grounds. Perhaps you can call a place: (hotel, restaurant, police dep’t.)in Frenchtown, across the Delaware Bridge in PA, and ask for the particulars.
As to bad names: Bill Dicky, the great catcher for the New York Yankees in the 1940’s named his daughter, Vicky!
Poor Vicky; that’s enough reason to get married at a young age just to change her name.