Roadtrip, Day 14...Back Home

 Day 14

Saturday, May 31, 2025

     My family moved away from New Jersey in '86.  But, it still draws me back.  There was nothing on tap today except walking around and getting together with friends.

    The morning rain ended and off I went for a short walk through the Murray Hill section of town near the motel.

      As I walked, I heard a very familiar sound.  I swear, I didn't plan this.

     

      There are new businesses popping up all over town.  Cafe Luna is across the tracks from the Murray Hill station.  

     They just hit one year here and based on the Saturday, 11A crowd, they're doing just fine.

      If one train wasn't enough, this was headed in the other direction. 

    And the coffee...quite good. 

    If I've told this story before, feel free to skip ahead.  

     Murray Hill isn't actually a town, though it gets referenced as such often.  

     Carl Schultz moved here from the Murray Hill section of Manhattan in 1880.  He build a small community that overlapped part of both New Providence and neighboring Berkeley Heights.

     His community was built for his wealthy friends to live together in the quiet suburbs.

     Since it was two miles to either of the neighboring train stations, he donated land and the money to build this one.  His one provision, they name it Murray Hill.

    

     I met with Jeff at Avenue Deli and then we did what generally do, just walk around.  The random memories that come back as we stroll always makes it enjoyable!

     We walked through Oakwood Park.  We had played Recreation Department soccer as kids here.  Back then it was just a big, grassy field.  Not any more...

     Heading out to meet friends later and headed up Union Avenue.  Seriously, I'm not planning this.