Spring is Knocking at the Door in the Schenectady Stockade

We made it!!!!!  We came, we saw, we survived....the snow, the wind, the endless cold.  At times we felt defeated, and at times we thought it would never end, but just like every year before it, winter did eventually relent.  No sooner had it turned its back, spring arrived in all its glory.  I don't know anyone who doesn't love spring.  I'm not sure if it's because we're just that desperate to say goodbye to winter or if everyone just loves the switch from white to brown to green as much as I do. Although I grew up in the area and my grandparents lived in Rotterdam, it wasn't until I began the blog that I discovered one of the most picturesque places to witness the emergence of spring.  Since that first discovery I've made it a habit to make my visit an annual ritual.  I'm talking about the historic and very special Schenectady Stockade.  There's so much to admire about the Stockade district - its architecture, its riverside, its colorful homes - but it's the breathtaking blossoming trees in spring that capture my attention and my camera lens.

I've blogged about the Stockade in spring before 

so on my visit last week I decided to take a slightly different approach to capturing both the plentiful blossoms as well as the architecture the Stockade is known for.  

A visit to the Stockade isn't complete without a tranquil walk through the cemetery behind St. George's Church.  There's something so peaceful and serene amidst the very old gravestones, many of which are simply propped up against the buildings.  The magnolia trees as a backdrop to the stones and the church steeples beg to be photographed.

You can see more photos of this area in my previous Stockade blog, (http://www.lifeasiseeitphotography.net/2014/05/the-schenectady-stockade-in-spring.html).  

That post contains information about the Stockade's history, so I won't repeat it here today.  I do urge you to take a moment to check it out though - if only for the photos.  If you weren't already familiar with the springtime beauty in the Stockade, you may not be privy to the beauty that wows the neighbors and visitors on Eastern Parkway. Just a short drive from the Stockade, is the show stopping display in front of the Congregation Gates of Heaven.

I'm not sure if the wind and rain Friday evening shortened the life of the blossoms, but if you're in the area be sure to take some time to explore the historic Stockade and all it has to offer.  If you're interested in learning more about the Stockade district, you can use the links provided below.  On the Historic Stockade website, check out the video tour (found near the bottom of the home page).  You can see several areas of interest within the Stockade and listen to narratives about the history and architecture of many of the buildings there.  Thanks for stopping by.  In case you missed my last couple of posts......both which somehow snuck under the radar...be sure to scroll back and check them out.  Come back soon for more Life As I See It.  Till then remember.....Collect moments, not things!

http://historicstockade.com/

https://www.discoverschenectady.com/