New York City + Other Cities

Traveling to and through New York City offers a unique blend of experiences, especially when making the drive up to Boston to visit family. Each trip presents an opportunity to witness the vibrant life and iconic landmarks of NYC, whether you’re cruising the outer routes or navigating through its bustling streets.

On one memorable journey, I had the pleasure of embarking on a cruise from New York City to Bermuda. This adventure not only provided a getaway from the city’s hustle but also offered stunning views of the skyline the  day before we set sail. The excitement of cruising out into the Atlantic, surrounded by open sea, was truly exhilarating. From the atop the boat on the cruise, I spotted a building once operated by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. It was likely a train to boat terminal and vice versa. I also got to see the Statue of Liberty Up close without having to use a drone or my own 2 feet to walk around it which really put it size in a scale. 

Another significant stop on my travels was in Poughkeepsie Ny. This charming town provided a much-needed break during the drive back from a trip to Boston. We took the time to stretch our legs and explore an MTA station while overlooking the Hudson River. It was a perfect pit stop to refresh before continuing our drive home. 

Driving or walking through New York City, I often find myself captivated by it the energy of the skyscrapers, the architecture from the gilded age and some of out modern styles. As well as the grime of the Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, and MTA as well as the city sidewalks and paths them selves. 

Boston Trips

Boston trips are for one thing and one thing only: visiting family. These trips are a chance to reconnect with loved ones, share memories, and create new ones. However, during my many visits to this vibrant city, there have been times when driving as much as we did do it just wasn’t an option. In those instances, we had to rely on the MBTA aka the , Boston's public transit system. The T is a convenient and efficient way to navigate the city, making it easy to reach family Members and explore the city with them. 

I have captured numerous images of railroads and railroad-adjacent properties around Boston. My photography focuses on the MBTA and its stations, including South Station, Framingham, Ashland, and Worcester. Additionally, I've photographed freight railroads such as CSX and the Providence and Worcester Railroad, along with Amtrak services. There are many other railroads I wish to photograph, but my visits often center around family time. I truly love Boston and its surrounding areas, especially the charming colonial aesthetic that many towns embrace from the 1700s.

PRR Peters Creek Branch Green Mans Tunnel. 

Have you ever heard of the urban legend of the Green Man?

The Green Man, often referred to as "Charlie No-Face," is an intriguing urban legend that has captivated the imaginations of people, particularly in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

This legend tells the story of a man who was disfigured by a tragic accident involving electricity. His resulting appearance, covered in green scars, became the foundation of a myth that paints him as a mysterious, ghostly figure wandering the streets at night. The legend started gaining traction in the mid-20th century when locals began reporting sightings of the Green Man, especially along lonely roads and in secluded areas.

According to some accounts, he would appear to drivers in the dark, causing fear and curiosity to merge into one haunting experience. Over time, those who claimed to have encountered him described a mild and harmless spirit rather than a malevolent figure.

This tunnel is said to be the location of the electrical arc incident. Charlie was a real man and sadly did get disfigured while working for the railroad.

The tunnel sits next to an active road/creek tunnel hybrid. There are 4 other tunnels other than these 2 in the valley as well. They are abandoned road/creek or stream/creek tunnels in the surrounding area. 

Ive Included a screenshot of the six tunnels in the valley. This does not include the Clairton end of the Peters Creek valley. 1= Green Mans RR tunnel. 2= Peters Creek Road Tunnel. 3 = Snee Road / Peters Creek Hybrid tunnel. 4 = Snowden Road tunnel. 5 = Lick Run tunnel. 6 = unnamed stream tunnel. 

The trails I mapped trails to rails project with Peters Creek & Lick Run can get you close to 5 & 6 With the other four being directly accessible from the trails. 

The Pennsylvanian Badlands

Thomis landmass, a slate dump is a common sight across Western and Northeastern Pennsylvania. These go by many names, such as gob mound or culm pile. 

As mines extract coal from the seams underneath the ground the coal must be separated from the shale that us above and below the coal. After collecting most of the coal out of the seam the waste rock, slate and small bits of coal get separed out into piles. 

These culm piles litter the state of Pennsylvania across Appalachia and are not uncommon to see just outside of cities collecting grass and small tree life, the only life living on it aside from insects and groundhogs. 

I called it the Badlands as it shares many similarities to the dry hard clay or rock that one could see out in South Dakota's Great Plains. The ground is very hard, and the sides of the hills are quite abrasive.