While the weather is often warm well before Memorial Day, it's this holiday that heralds the summer season and, in Bucks County, the return of motorcycle enthusiasts. And it was this weekend, more than a handful of years ago, when a New Jersey couple, out for their late-May motorcycling "pilgrimage" to New Hope, decided to ride a bit farther north than usual on River Road.
"We couldn't believe all the 'For Sale' signs, says Joanne. They called a realtor to see a quaint little craft house that was inland - "and likely more affordable," adds Brian; but the next day saw one home after another, including a 1930s fishing cottage off one of the bridge lanes...riverfront. "I took one look at it and thought, Yeah, sure," says Brian. But it was a buyer's market; the seller took a liking to them; and by Labor Day the house on the banks of wild river was theirs.
This spring, to celebrate the anniversary of their "first date," Joanne and Brian decided to dress up. The house.
After sanding the cedar shakes, we applied two coats of solid stain in Cabot Pepperwood.
This was about a month-long job...in one of the most beautiful settings we've ever had the pleasure of working in. While we always look forward to our lunch break, when we eat and "shoot the breeze," below is where we unwrapped our sandwiches and pretty much said nothing, watching the silent and serene Delaware roll by. (We wanted to take off our shoes and dangle our feet...but we didn't.)
We asked what their favorite time of day is. Joanne said that most of the year it's early in the morning, when the river looks silver. But come Labor Day, as the River Valley begins the descent to night, the river, she says, turns golden.
So be on the lookout for our September newsletter when we'll revisit Joanne and Brian and the splendor of the Delaware at day's end. But for now....
Happy Summer and
Peace,
Carla and Ken
