Philip W Holland

I made it to Philadelphia. Did a little work in the bakery, switched a light fixture out for his friend, worked on my car, made a fool of myself in a couple ways, but what’s new. It seems the heat, despite my attempted evasions, caught up to me with a triple digit heat wave (apologies).

Armed with some gas money and a Wawa gas card, I started driving, hoping to head to see upstate NY waterfalls, as my late friend’s dad likes to do. He and I had a talk about the need to just leave before I left so I felt that would be nice. A burnt out headlight ate up a bit of my gas money so I found myself in a repetition of the Black River Falls Flying J Travel Center Incident, but this time headed to the nearest Wawa just over the border into New Jersey.

Accustomed to long drives through Texas, and everything here being surprisingly close together, the gravity of New York City pulled me in. I have been there several times to visit my other brother, but always using transit, and traveling with my mom. Found a parking spot, then walked to spend the morning escaping the heat in the Indian Caves of Inwood Hill Park at the north end of Manhattan. Hydrants cracked open here and there as you walk, like you see in the movies.

Had slipped my mind to contact my brother so I shot him a text. My lackluster communication skills and lack of an overarching plan are part of why I’m out here, after all. Got back to my car, and figured I’d drive the whole length of Manhattan until I can find another parking spot and go lay eyes on the Statue of Liberty, (but this time I got myself there.)

Spent the rest of the day there at Battery Park, filing on some stained glass pieces and reading out of the copy of Locke’s Second Treatise on Government I got from a little free library in Manayunk.

Finally heard back from my brother, and made my way over to Brooklyn, where I was able to find a parking spot in front of his apartment. Was short notice, but I require very little that I am not already carrying, in these days of voluntary austerity. Had a bite to eat, a shower, FaceTime with Mom, and a sleep on the floor. No mosquitos, no sweating, no problem. Left in the morning when he left for work

If I would have gone outside when I woke up I may have been able to avoid the parking ticket for obstructing a driveway. Sorry, it’s my first day! Parking spot was too good to be true. Parking tickets, a true NYC experience, and another part of the adventure. I’d sit out the fine if only I knew where I could park my car!

Getting into Long Island, the parking lots get bigger and free-er. A Target by a mall gives me a nice spot to pull stuff out and reorganize, which I avoided in the dense city. Not feeling much compulsion to drive out to the bell-end of Long Island, I head up to take Cross Island parkway to 295 into the Bronx, further north in search of these waterfalls I hear so much about.

Spent the night at Bish Bash Falls near the MA border, disguised as a rock under my gray blanket, just out of sight over the railing. I should embroider greens and yellows to match the moss for better camouflage. The twin falls on both sides of that big rock look like an eternally weeping giant stone wizard.

Now in Pittsfield MA, finally blogging, and contending with defensive goose parents. After this, I intend to loop through all these northeasternmost states just to add them to the list, and at some point swing back through Philadelphia to help that guy with another light fixture.

Unburied some art in the car that I need to photograph and post in stock for the web store. Keep checking in for new stuff! And keep sending me your free money also just cause you care, I may do some sort of digital download so people have more options than cash app $philipwholland, or venmo/zelle at 214-909-6097.

These mountain roads are telling me loudly that ball joints are probably next on the list of car maintenance items

Live carelessly pwh 6-27-25