Like many things we've seen as we've traveled, I'm sure there is an interesting story behind all of the flags. Many times I can go on the Internet and find out something about what we've seen. Sure enough, this time I typed in: US Flags on Highway Overpasses in New Jersey, and this is what I got:
A resident of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Nick Sant Foster served in the US Marine Corps reserve in the early 1960's.
Sant Foster does not know who originally placed the flags on the overpasses, but suspects it was one person. In any event, "I've been really impressed how often people stop while I'm putting up or repairing a flag.
Mr Sant Foster moved to Basking Ridge in 1996. Prior to that, he lived in Bernardsville (16 years) as a photographer and writer.
The American Flags cover bridges within a 45 mile radius including Interstate 287 and Route 78. Most of the flags have been 3'x5'.
4 x 5' flags drape the Martinsville Road and Somerville Road I-78 overpasses. "Do you know why I use the big ones there?" asks Sant Foster, "Because that's the highest visible cross point in the area."
Putting up the flags is an expression of love, love for our country." Our big problem right now is terrorism, which is fear, and the great cure of fear is love. Love heals fear." (Bernardsville News June 17, 2004)
The last time I was in New Jersey (giving a speech back when I was President of the National Rural Health Association...), the biggest impression I got was of the freeways. The freeway outside of my hotel window (which had accordion sound-proofing shades over the windows) looked out on EIGHTEEN lanes of traffic! The section we were on today wasn't quite that bad -- it was only ten lanes...
As we moved on into New York, the terrain changed from hilly farmland to the cliffs of the Hudson River Valley --
We ended up on the New York Thruway, a toll road that cost us $20.80 for our transit of the state.
Our route took us along the eastern side of the state along the Catskills, up past Albany, the state capital, towards the RV Park near Schenectady --
In areas that were not mowed, we did see some nice fields of wildflowers. This area has yellow sweet clover in the back --
With the nice white daisies in the foreground --
We had a pleasant trip until we left the Thruway, paid our toll, and prepared to turn onto the exit for Highway 7. We could see that the exit was closed and barricaded and under construction from the toll booth. The booth attendant told us that the detour was well-signed and would be "no problem."
Well, of course, the detour took us to that infamous 10 foot, 6 inch bridge we had heard about! Since Auntie Violet is about 12 feet, 5 inches tall (I always say she is 13 feet, just to give a margin of error), she obviously wasn't going to fit under it. The really bad thing about it is, it's a narrow two-lane road and there are NO warning signs. You just come over the hill and there it is!
Okay, we looked over the situation and decided the only thing to do was to unhitch Toad and back up the hill to a driveway and try to turn around. It actually is a pretty busy road and cars kept flying over the hill. Fortunately, one of the neighbors -- who says they're always backing semi-trucks out! -- offered to sit at the top of the hill with his flashers on and block traffic for us. We did get tuned around on that very narrow road. I'm so glad I'm married to a guy who's had lots of experience driving big rigs on the ranch!
Following the directions given to us by the neighbor, I drove Toad and led Forry and Auntie Violet another seven or eight miles to Frosty Acres Campground. Backing into our site here at the campground was a snap!
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