Monday, August 31, 2009

Great River Bridge, Westfield

Even though it opened to traffic some time last week, the first chance I've had to cross the new bridge was this weekend. I've watched it go up over the past few months, and eagerly awaited its opening as I dodged the potholes on Elm Street.

I was pleased to see a nice, wide walkway on both sides of the bridge.

nice, wide sidewalk

There are nice offset observation areas from which to enjoy the river passing below.

observation area

Westfield River

structure

I'm sure the businesses on that street are happy to have it open, too.

Pilgrim Candle

Westfield Visitor Center

The only thing I found odd about it is the date on the side, which is 2010. Perhaps the bridge is in a time warp of some sort?

2010

The old bridge is closed now for refurbishing, after which traffic will flow through Westfield like water does under the bridge. In theory, anyway. ;)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mittineague Park, West Springfield


steps, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I met Flickr friend Rusty in West Springfield today, and we went to Mittineague Park for a photowalk. I'd never been there before, and there were lots of great photo ops from stone bridges to the Westfield River.

over

view

You have to cross the railroad tracks to get to the river, and we had to wait for a train to pass before we could do that.

train above

The train was stopped when I took this one.

alongside

At last, we came to the river.

the river, at last

planted

calm

There was a line of floats across the river here, and beyond you could hear the falls.

dropoff

This is where the railroad crosses a stream just before it meets the river.

behind

Goldenrod signals the nearing end of summer.

buzz

Back over the tracks, where bits of trains litter the ground.

train tracks castoffs

We then went up to a pond, where frogs and dragonflies play.

green pond

froggy

dragonfly

It was starting to get hot at that point, so we left the rest for future exploration. Thanks, Rusty, for showing me a new place!

Monday, August 24, 2009

haze


haze, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

There was a mist over the Little River in the wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park yesterday morning. It gave the river an otherworldly quality.

steamy

steamy

Monday, August 17, 2009

Parade for Stanley Park


here they come, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Despite the 90-degree heat yesterday, plenty of people turned out for the parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Stanley Park in Westfield.

Beginning at Pine Hill Cemetery, the parade made its way up Western Avenue to the park.

I loved that the park carts, machines, and even the mowers took part in the parade.

carts

cute

mower zoom

blue

There was only one float, but it was a cool one. I think it was Noah's Ark; it was covered in animals, anyway.

Noah's ark?

elephant zebra

There were a lot of classic cars, and as far as I could tell, they were all Fords.

line

and in blue '56 t-bird

There were several groups of enthusiastic dancers and acrobats, whose antics amazed me in that heat.

walking on their hands

The miniature horses always entertain, and this one stopped to pose for me.

posing for me

On the opposite end of the spectrum are these Belgians. Magnificent creatures!

Belgians

I'm surprised no one was riding in this lovely carriage.

nice ride

The display cake was just lovely.

cake fancy

They also had big sheet cakes to pass out to the revelers, but it was just too darn hot to eat cake (for me, anyway). All I could bring myself to consume was cold water. I felt badly for the food vendors behind their hot grills!

It was very hot, but fun. I love Stanley Park, and it was worth it to help them celebrate 60 years.

Friday, August 14, 2009

foggy morning


peaceful, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The fog this morning was thick, shrouding the world in gossamer white. I stuck my camera out the window a few times, and stopped at Heritage Park in East Longmeadow before work to capture the ethereal beauty.

ethereal

mystery

disappear

dewy