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East Coast October 2002
New Jersey October 2002

Taking a break from my recent work escapades at NASA Ames Research Center, I'd thought I'd pay a visit to the northeast USA where I grew up in New Jersey. I had forgotten how beautiful autumn is back east with all the sugar maples, sycamores, oaks, and willows. Here are some photos spanning over the days October 20-November 3, 2002.

--Kimberly, November 5, 2002


  • Westwood,NJ, "The Hub of Pascack Valley"
  • Westwood, NJ, is where I spent my high school years 1986-1990 and is also where my parents still live, and where I visit each year over the holidays. I took some photos of life back east with the beautiful autumnal colors in the neighborhood.

  • Fishing in Long Island Sound 10/24/02
  • I used to fish a lot in NJ, mainly off bridges and in fresh water lakes. This time Dad came up with a great idea to drive to Connecticut (only an hour away) and fish for blackfish (seasonal) in the Lond Island Sound. We caught our dinner that evening!

  • Hunterdon County, NJ
  • My sister Laurie and bro-in-law Scott recently bought a house situated in beautiful Hunterdon County. I spent a few days exploring this new section of NJ to me, located near the Pennsylvia border in north-western NJ. The area is surrounded by rolling hills, farm land, and historic little towns preserved to keep a bit of 17-18th century NJ alive. Here are some photos of their new house and surrounding country side in the Frankin Township (Pittstown/Quakertown) area.

  • Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Twp, NJ
  • When I was home in NJ I went back to see my old high school Immaculate Heart Academy where I was inducted into their Hall of Fame. My favourite teacher Ms Fritsche, who taught me chemistry sophomore year, had nominated me, and it was wonderful getting reacquainted with her and see how the school has grown to 7 science teachers and a new science wing, which was most impressive since I left in 1990.

  • New Milford, NJ
  • I also visited New Milford where I spent my first 14 years growing up on River Road, and attending St Joseph's School in nearby Oradell. Here are also some photos of historic New Milford, particularly the Jacobus Demarest Homestead (circa 1686) and the French Cemetery (dated circa 1677).