Peace on the Pier

           When someone spends an immense amount of time in the same place, one aspect always stands out in their mind. The smaller location that defines the place as a whole. Each individual quality stands out, an element that its culture is built upon. In my hometown, this is the Piermont Pier. 

Geographically, the Piermont Pier is unlike anything I have ever seen. While this shouldn't say much, as I have never traveled the world, I am taken aback by its beauty each time I visit. Here, it is uncommon to find yourself in a place entirely surrounded by water. Reminiscent of the beach, the sights and sounds of the area transport you elsewhere. If you close your eyes for just a second, you are taken away from everything.

Enveloped on either side by the Hudson River, from the end of the Pier, water stretches as far as the eye can see. To the right, the New York City skyline is just barely visible, encumbered by hazy clouds or the setting sides, depending on the time of day. To the left, the tree-covered mountains stretch upstate, creating a zig-zag along the waterline. At night, the newly reconstructed Tappan Zee Bridge shines multicolor lights across the sky like the aftermath of fireworks on the Fourth of July. 

Before reaching the end of the Pier, one must make the long trek through the marshland. A crumbling concrete path, about one car's-width wide, the trail is as old as the Pier itself. Over the years, it has been infiltrated by moss, weaving through the cracks like a snake. While it appears weathered, its integrity remains strong. Each day, hundreds of people walk, run, and drive across it, providing them access to the scenic outlook at the end for which they yearn.

While the long path all looks practically the same, anyone who grew up with parents from the area could point out The Bridge. A small bridge made from wooden 2x4 planks, the gate built onto the front prevents anyone from seeing what lies behind the facade of the marsh. Years of inclement weather has separated its entrance from the paved path. Now, for my companions who grew up there and me, the bridge became a vessel of parental torment. Though we're now too old to fall for such extravagant stories, I will never forget the childhood morning spent running from the bridge. My parents had convinced me that it was crafted by the Headless Horseman as he made his escape from Sleepy Hollow, a small town facing the end of the Pier. 

While I have visited the Pier countless times, I cannot recall a single time when the sun was out. Each time, there has been a dense haze, accompanied by the smell of imminent rain in the air. Recently fallen rain from the previous storm remained puddled on the ground, murky from truck tires coming and going from the fishing dock. No matter the dark clouds circling above, there was no sense of threat. The air was constantly quiet and still, a peaceful respite from daily life. 

 On the day-to-day, the Pier is primarily occupied by two different groups of people. First, anglers, eager to spend their day casting their fishing rods into the rushing river. The other, more prominent group is the general passerby. While this seems like it would be a large group, in reality, it was not. Quietly, they come and go, taking in the sights of the Pier. When they leave, the land remains untouched, as if they had never been there. This is the group that I fall into. 

Each time I walk down the Pier, the calming nature consumes me. Regardless of what is happening in my life, the energy of the Pier takes everything away. Surrounded by marsh and water on all sides, in this place, there is nothing else that matters. Nature grounds you, returning you to a stress-less state where you discover what forces are truly in control. 

Since 1851, the Piermont Pier has been the foundation of my community. While in the past, it predominantly served economic purposes, today, it provides emotional solace. No matter what changes occur in individual lives or the world, the Pier remains. Regardless of the weather or the time of day, the Pier allows people to return to their roots, clear their heads, and move forward with their lives.