ROAD TRIP: The other night, I had to drive up Route 21 from Newark, and it reminded me that I always liked that road. Twenty-one is a three-lane road built to modern interstate standards, and winds along the banks of the Passaic River. They started building it in the 1960s and finally finished it sometime in the 80s. So, Route 21’s construction more or less overlapped my teen and young adult years; it grew as I grew.

I remember the first time I went north on 21 from Newark; I was about 14 and my father was driving. It was night, and something about the winding turns and the orange lights and the shimmering waters of the river seemed mesmerizing. Well, it fascinated me, anyway; my father just wanted to get home and my brother was distracted by other things.

Later on I regularly used Route 21 to get to school and to work, so I pretty much learned to take it for granted. But I’ve been away from it for a while now, just long enough to bring back the magic (well, something like magic, anyway).

I decided to take a follow-up spin today on 21 and arranged to have some pictures taken. This isn’t exactly like driving along the California coast or through the Continental Divide, but I still like it.

We’re bumping our way along the potholed approach ramp in north Newark, enjoying the lovely sights.

Now we’re on 21, cruising at 55 through Belleville. My cheapo camera distorts the light pole, but it looks kind of cool.

Here’s the Passaic River on the right, with a bridge carrying a local road into North Arlington.

OK, we’re in Nutley, soon to cross into Clifton, with Lyndhurst across the river on the right.

Now we’re coming into Passaic, where my mother grew up. The old downtown area is off to the left; similar to all modern highways, Route 21 avoids it.

Here’s the former US Rubber factory along the river. Obviously the plant contributed greatly to the pollution that still keeps anyone from fishing or swimming. Mom and the grandparents lived right up the street from here, in the Dundee neighborhood.

We get a nice peek here at the ethnic / industrial neighborhoods near Botany Village.

Now we’re up in north Clifton, and the sign says “END 21”. Well, that’s too bad, because it’s an interesting road. Hope you enjoyed the trip.