After a few gloomy, dank, rainy days, the sun came out on Wednesday, the tide was low and people, ducks and dogs took to a little solace in the sun down by the river in Rumson.
Take a look … (And don’t forget to click to enlarge!)
— Elaine Van Develde
Spring has sprung — sort of.
Well, the sun was shining brightly on the first day of spring, anyway. And while last week’s lingering patches of snow remained in spots throughout the Rumson-Fair Haven area, buds were popping up from underneath them.
The scene on the banks of the Navesink River at the foot of Battin Road in Fair Haven was still, mild and calming — signals of springing into a warmer sunset took hold.
It was a stark, black-and-white kind of scenario. Take a look. (Oh, and don’t forget to click to enlarge …)
Happy spring; and good night.
— Elaine Van Develde
Call it a reflective moment. With crystal clear reflections cast on the Navesink River from Fair Haven Dock just about at sunset, thoughts are turning to a forecasted break in the chilly temperatures — but not without a little precipitation to go with that reflection.
The National Weather service says that while temperatures will go up to roughly 56 degrees, the chance of rain is 40 percent after 5 p.m. on Tuesday. That chance increases as the night goes on.
Another reflection: thoughts of clear skies and sunny warmth.
Take a look …
— Elaine Van Develde
Nothing says “day is done” quite like watching the beginning of a sunset on the Navesink River in Rumson.
The serene scene speaks that and so much more, with a sigh of gratitude from the shoreline.
Take a look … Good night Rumson-Fair Haven area river rats.
— Elaine Van Develde
There’s something about a riverfront scene in the Rumson-Fair Haven area that lends itself to reflection — sight and soul.
At low tide on a winter’s day, the mirror view is mesmerizing on the Navesink River down by Fair Haven Dock.
Take a look … (Don’t forget to click to enlarge!)
— Elaine Van Develde
It was hauntingly comforting — the icy, howling wind and the stark hues of black and blue along the Navesink River in Fair Haven Wednesday at dusk.
The wind whistled, beckoned, and the air cut like jagged-edged glass. It was a solitary, striking scene. Black branches jutting across a blue sky and seascape.
It was all so cold and clear-cut, yet still warm like a cup of cocoa. It’s home.
Take a look …
— Elaine Van Develde
Then came the thaw …
After a warmer winter’s day, as nightfall hit along the Navesink riverbanks in Rumson, the sand slurped up the snow, the icy river waters dissolved, and the ducks glided across their glassy path.
Reflections in shades of grey gripped the low tide. Serenity seeped into the shoreline.
See for yourself …
— Elaine Van Develde
You could call it falling for the Navesink River.
Wednesday night was one of those still, quiet fall nights down by the river at the Fair Haven Dock. It was in the air. It was on the water. Reflection. A lot of reflection. It’s easy to see and instinctively know why when it is also a place called home.
Take a moment to reflect … Good night, home.
— Elaine Van Develde
Summer days down by the river at the Fair Haven Dock don’t change much with the passing of time.
It’s a scene that never gets old and needs no explaining.
Here’s another focus on what it’s all about — sun, sand between the toes, solitude, solace.
— Elaine Van Develde
Ever take a walk down by the river and feel like someone’s following you or even leading the way?
It happened today down on the beach by the Fair Haven Dock.
A lone seagull, seemingly having a little trouble with one of his legs, led the way taking a leisurely walk along the riverbank, picked on some food along the way, waded and tried to fly a little, but to no avail. He was getting around and eating and not fearful of humans.
So, he had a little company for his afternoon walk.
Good night and feel better, Mr. Fair Haven Livingston Seagull.
— Elaine Van Develde
While being a River Rat was a staple of summer life for many a Rumson-Fair Haven area rugrat, there were still those who didn’t sail into waterborne activity success. Some, instead, capsized inside at the thought of a wave taking the wind out of their little sails.
But, staying away from the banks of the Navesink was never even a flicker of a thought in an area youngster’s brain.
There was so much to do there — like wading, watching, feeling the sand between the toes and, well, having a heart-to-heart gabfest with a friend while fetching and freeing sand crabs and munching on a big bag of Doritos … tucked into a festive picnic basket, of course.
Yup. That’s was the summer scene for some. And it was more than enough. Sometimes, between Dorito chomping, sand, wading and chatting, the sunset would seem to creep up and those kids would realize that the River Rats had come to shore and gone home.
The walk home with that picnic basket, an empty bag and that buddy was the exhale for the night. The dream was a simple, sweet, well-lived one.
— Elaine Van Develde
The sun set. The water was still. It was a serene nightfall on the river in Fair Haven.
A lone kayaker rowed his way from the shore across the Navesink from the Middletown shores to the River Rats boat launch. The clouds seemed to follow him. The new moon a sliver above.
And, in the distance, in the hushed evening, were only soft echoes of the water lapping gently to each paddle, bringing him home.
Home here. Good night, Fair Haven.
— Elaine Van Develde
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