Have you ever ridden over a bridge not to far from here? The one you most likely don’t know the name of because as your mother tells you, you slowly make the radio louder to drown out her nasally voice. It doesn’t work as planned, but maybe it was for your own good you heard her. You watch as her lips curl and twist to form the words Walt Whitman Bridge out of her mouth. This huge bridge connects Philadelphia and Gloucester City. The Walt Whitman Bridge spans across the deep blue Delaware River and was assembled in 1953. The beautiful city Gloucester happens to be a great place to get away and relax, or even make memories…

     There once was a small child, her name was Harley Ann. She always loved visiting grandma’s house, but there was never any time for those typical milk and cookie breaks, at least not when you’re a child on the run. Tiny Harley would tug Mommy and Daddy’s arm to take her outside. They’d venture onward trough the town where her mother grew up. Harley Ann always loved one certain park not so far own the block. She’d teeter-totter around and laugh at her brother being crazy and tried to keep up as her blonde hair glistened in the sunshine. The sound of the swings gliding back and forth through the air always lured in the wide-eyed curious Harley. She’d hear Mommy say “Honey be careful in front of those!” Harley paid no attention. Her older brother, Damian, pushed her awhile until he grabbed her chubby hand and rushed to the gazebo. The whole crew was there; Mom, Dad, Aunts, Uncles, Grandma, and even cousin Melissa. They would be conversing and giggling. Other families would be around, but Harley wasn’t scared. Gloucester kids have a reputation for being tough. They are but they’re all kind people.

    

     At the gate of the park stands an intriguing statue. This piece of history is surrounded by big beautiful trees still missing some leaves. There are two winding pathways leading up and around this majestic creation. It resembles a dull metallic black statue of a role model. She appears nude and is bending over half way as if to catch her breath. It shows her drying off with a towel. She swam the Delaware River up and back like this to Philly and back to New Jersey. Someone placed a scarf around her neck.

     After the park you can walk down a block and walk out to see the Delaware River perfectly. Smell the smells of the water, the boats flowing softly over the crest of the water, and the birds flapping their wings in cool breeze. To the left are boats and construction machines; to the right lays the bright sky that’s looks painted and suspended in mid air and the breath taking sight of the bridge in the distance. Stationed there is a Coast Guard base, most teenagers hang outside of there on the grass. It’s a large white building with many windows and a parking lot all its own.  

     If you want to go for a stroll, there are many stores close together. If you’re a drinker, Gloucester City is known for having the most bars in any city in the world one on almost every corner. The best ice cream store, The Frozen Cow, is up for rent, but there’s plenty more places for that yummy dessert. A little shop called Family Store is located on a corner that is friendly and it has small things sort of like a walgreens. If you see a small convenient store called The News Agency you are nearing the end of the city. But there are churches, stores, and a lot of fun places on every street. A great recommendation for a hair cut is a tiny place called Hair Peace located on the 500^th block of Monmouth.

     The buildings of the town give off an old fashioned look, and most haven’t been tinkered with so they are original. The schools are mainly all close together; several catholic schools and elementary schools. Harley’s Mom attended St. Mary’s and Gloucester High. The kids were tough, so you had to be tough back.

     Now back to grandma’s house, the stories flow out of the mouths of everyone as Harley played a little guitar and sang nonsense. The street the house was located on was once owned by Harley’s great great great grandma, and the house has been in the family for 150 years. Row homes in Gloucester used to be resting places. Literally. Families used to place their loved ones and their coffins in the living room. Boxes of pictures have been discovered and it was an odd sight to see. The spirits of these people now haunt the houses. Harley’s mom and aunts share their ghost stories and it seemed scary. Basements were nothing but dirt sort of like a giant hole just there. The houses are four stories high and had many rooms and winding staircases. They are simply beautiful.

     As sleepy Harley yawns in the back seat, the night is coming to an end. Her eyes dreary with the hope of rest as the street lights shine on her baby face and music blares in the car and she squirms in her condensed car seat. Another fulfilling day at grandmas.