Breathtakingly lovely Scenic Overlook - Morristown Highway New Jersey

The weather's been lovely since the weekend.Its predicted to be the same the entire week fluctuating between fifties and sixties Fahrenheit.I want to get in a lot of outdoor fun before the winter begins to set in.I have been wanting for a long time to head off somewhere peaceful away from the crowds and the city.

Having lived in the UAE for so long amidst skyscrapers,date palms and the vast desert along the highways, I simply love living in New Jersey with so much nature around me.In Abudhabi, everytime we needed to relax away from the  hustle bustle of the city, we would head off to the Corniche.The sight of the calm waters and the soothing sound of the sea would fill us with serenity.There is seating arrangement with round tables and benches in a dome like structure constructed at a distance from each other.Usually, armored with roller blades,bicycle,badminton rackets and KFC/South Indian snacks, we would head off to the Corniche for a lovely family time together on most weekends.

I miss the Corniche/the beach in New Jersey.However, the lovely parks with breautiful lakes and greenery gives me the same pleasure I used to feel at the Corniche.

The first thing I noticed on my way from the airport was the license plates on which New Jersey was nicknames as the Garden State.I thought it was due to the lovely greenery all over New Jersey.Apparently, it isn't so.Its so called because it was nicknamed by some mayor who thought NJ was a great place to enjoy with Pennsylvania on one end and NY on the other.History can be funny yeah especially on retrospect.I'm not a big fan of history so no more history lessons for the day :P

I usually do not realize when I'm feeling restless or moody for a while that all I need is lovely nature to enjoy and just totally relax.I have had enough of shopping malls and NY and restaurants for a while.I had been bugging my husband all weekend for something different.He took me to the mall thinking I needed some retail therapy (wink wink ) LOL But I came back totally unsatisfied with the experience.

On a random totally spur of the moment thought we headed to the highway.My hubby recalled seeing a sign somewhere on the highway for the scenic overlook.And here we are :D

This place on the Morristown/ Somerville highway is called the Scenic Overlook.Its basically a rest area and trespassing after sunrise is not allowed.We drove up on the mountain.WHOA !!

It was breathtaking.We were on the mountain top sometime before sunset.The air felt slightly chilly.But it felt so good to be on a mountain and breathing the fresh air.

You can see the highway down there.

There were thousands of trees in sight.Now I know why its known as the Garden State ;)

We walked towards the fence looked down straight at the highway.By the way,it read  "trespassing not allowed"  :~ It was just meant as a rest area.There were 2/3 cars in the parking lot.Both the drivers were "resting" in the rest area.They were actually reading.Another guy was just sitting and looking around.We were the only ones who were walking around and taking pictures like this was one of the seven wonders of the world :P LOL

This was the end where there was no fence.My husband was scared I was gonna slip and fall.I still managed to take one quick picture.

WHOA !!!

We were so high up there.We looked straight down at the highway.

Later on, another couple drove in.They also took pictures along the fence overlooking the highway.The lady was super sweet and offered to take our pictures.She said we looked lovely together and wanted to take more pictures.She made my day.Its so hard to come by such friendly people.

That was a lovely view of the sunset.

There's only 2/3 pictures more, I promise.

That was after the sun had set in and my last picture.

On the way down.

It was a weekend spent wonderfully.A refreshing start for the week ahead :)

Weekend :D

Yaayyyyy!! The weekend's here.I've been waiting all week.Although I do not work or attend school, but I still want the week to end.There are so many reasons for the same.

1. I get to sleep later than usual and wake up even later.

2. I love the yummy brunch we have on weekends.It consists of khichdi (yellow lentil rice),khatta (tangy curry),pyaz ke ande (omelet cooked with onions) or foul medammas with boiled eggs and pita bread.This is usually followed by fresh fruit salad.

3.I love the leisurely pace we work at during the weekends.Its usually the brunch, followed by us just sitting on the couch lazing around and enjoying the peace and quiet.Its sheer bliss.

4.Later on we head off to a mall for window shopping and/or shopping and maybe snack or ice cream.On some days, we go to the Indian store in Edison for groceries and/or yummy spicy chat (Indian junk food).

5.On some weekends, we go to the Times Square,NY and walk around or just drive around.Later on, we get a shawarma from the road side food carts and get back to NJ late at night.

6.On some other weekends, we attend community events followed by dinner or /are invited over for dinner.

7.On some very rare weekends, we invite people over for dinner which has happened only once so far LOL

8.On one weekend we went bowling to Bowling city.On another weekend, we headed off to the Six Flags Wild Safari and totally enjoyed the day out.

8.One of the things I love about living in Hills borough is the peace and quiet it offers especially on weekends.You hardly see a soul in sight.There's no noise whatsoever.Just a sense of peace and restfulness which is very relaxing on weekends.

This weekend was a bit different since my hubby arrived late on Friday night.He was working away on his computer till early hours in the morning of Saturday.It started raining on and off basis on Saturday.And around 6 in the evening it turned out into heavy rains with thunderstorms.So we just decided to make it pizza night and had a yummy pacific veggie from Dominoes.The pizza was loaded with veggies like spinach,olives,roasted red peppers and also with a lot of cheese, feta and provolone.YUMMMMMM I strongly suggest you try it.

Sunday morning I woke up with a bad chest congestion and wasn't in the mood for doing anything.My hubby had already cooked baigan ka bharta (squashed egg plant).We had it for breakfast with brown pita bread.

Another pleasant thing that happened was I spoke to my aunt living in Toronto after almost an year and a half.I had met her last in Hyderabad at my wedding.It was such a pleasant surprise.

OH MAN I LOVE SURPRISES Dont we all ??

I thank god for small mercies which we so take for granted and a big thank you to my husband for such a pleasant surprise :D

Any more ideas for weekend fun ? Please share :)