Blue sky, blue water — here’s what else I found along the D&R Canal

A gorgeous day — temps eventually topped 70, and it’s only the beginning of April! — called out for a bike ride. And while I had no special destination in mind, it’s amazing what you discover when you’re just taking your time.

Bright blue sky, not a cloud in sight, sun on my arms for the first time in seemingly forever, then sparkling blue Lake Carnegie with rowing lanes marked off on my left, the D&R Canal on my right. What could be more relaxing as I headed north on the towpath from Princeton?

First stop: the dam at the end of Lake Carnegie. How did I miss watching the repairs that happened in 2015-2016? Actually, I don’t know if I ever pulled off onto the overhang above the water before today. Do you think these metal things operate a sluice gate?

The lake has an interesting backstory: A Princeton grad convinced Andrew Carnegie that Princeton’s crew teamneeded a place to row that didn’t involve dodging boats on the D&R Canal. And wow did this project go over budget! Almost four times the original price tag. (And you thought only government projects en up being way more expensive than first projected?) Not sure what Carnegie got out out this project beyond permanent naming rights…

I wasn’t the only one out for some sun. So were the turtles! Only most of them splashed into the canal when they heard me stop and take one step toward the edge. But these … they were brave. Or they’ve been around long enough not to care about humans.

Just no blue heron!

And then I decided to take Mapleton Road back from Kingston. Are those historical signs on the old Princeton Nurseries site new? I learned about what was once a premier plant nursery, discovered some plant varieties that the business introduced and might be a good fit for our yard .. and never imagined that what’s now U.S. 1, originally the “straight turnpike” that opened in 1804, was still a dirt road in 1913.

A reminder to stop and read the signs!