April 18 - 25
On the Edge
River bank montage by Melinda Nye.
An artist's eye reminds us that we face critical decisions every day in a fragile and vulnerable world. Perhaps if more of us spent time along the bank of a stream or in a field of wildflowers there would be less strife in the world. If only we could appreciate
those simple gifts found just outside our door, we might be more willing to set aside our prejudices, less inclined to dredge up old grievances, make war.
To celebrate the planet from whence you sprouted, choose among dozens of
natural attractions,
outdoor activities,
day trips, or
Earth Day events.
Earthly Delights
Wildlife Observation Area in the Refuge.
Photo: Arthur Panzer
In 1959, galvanized community activists fought a proposed jetport that threatened the Great Swamp watershed. They raised enough money and support to donate thousands of acres to the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the
Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge was born.
Friends of Great Swamp was established in 1999 to provide assistance and support to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge through volunteer efforts and the funding of programs and projects to benefit wildlife and refuge visitors. To explore the Refuge Wilderness Area, trails begin in a
multitude of locations. Or, begin at the
Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, named after one of the key community activists in the formation of the refuge, at
32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township.
Now you see 'em
This spring, head for the woods on a special type of hunt. You won't find explicit directions, but if you log any appreciable trail time in the spring, you'll eventually come across a
vernal pool. These distinctive wetlands are seasonal surprises, maybe something that you've never noticed before. The pools play hide and seek with woods walkers and the critters that inhabit them.
Close Encounters
Photo by Dan Bacon
Should you traverse any stretch of woods this spring, or even your backyard, alert eyes are usually rewarded.
Bobcats thrive in habitats that merge open lands and forests in the most remote areas of northern New Jersey. Protected under the New Jersey Endangered Species Act, bobcats have settled in large areas of contiguous forest where they were introduced more than forty years ago. But fragmentation, caused by development and traffic, tend to constrain the local populations. Keep your eyes open and you might
get lucky!
Restless Natives
A native mountain laurel allee at The Cross Estate Gardens in Morristown.
Native plants (those that lived here before the colonists arrived) make outstanding gardens because they are strong growers, ornamental, require less maintenance than many exotics, and are particularly attractive to birds and butterflies. Some are even rumored to be deer-resistant!
Earth Link
Nina and Jonathan White, whose life mission is to heal the earth, create good, wholesome foods that nourish people in a sustainable manner that harmonizes with nature.
A long-time model for
earth-friendly agriculture,
Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse is a regenerative, 100% grass-fed family farm. Towards that end, Bobolink products meld old and new, using methods that resemble how things were done over 200 years ago, while ushering us into a healthy and vibrant future. The property is host to a huge variety of birds, insects, and plant life, most notably the ground-nesting Bobolink, a bird that relies on undisturbed grasslands for its reproduction. Equally content are the farm's cows, who live outside, eating grass and being milked seasonally, and
not stuck in a barn being stuffed with grain, animal by-products and hormones, and being milked to death. Order
online, or better yet, an
Earth Week pilgrimage may be in order!
369 Stamets Rd, Milford (Hunterdon County), 908/86GRASS.
Action Items
A spring art and antiques fair beautifully blending thirty artisans and antique vendors. Indoor and outdoor settings in a large historic barn and in the pristine riverside amphitheater. Food truck by Angry Dads. 10am - 4pm. Free admission.
140 Route 46 and Ramseyburg Road on the Delaware River in Knowlton Township.
April 11 - 18
Appreciating Assets
Perseverance eventually led to preservation, and today the oldest building in Phillipsburg may be among its most appealing!
Tax time! We look for credit on the declining value of our assets. But this is a season to appreciate the world around us, earthquakes and solar eclipses aside.
Do not allow Spring to further depreciate! Time to dig yourself back into Mother Earth. And what finer place to dig than New Jersey’s Great Northwest Skylands? Take advantage of a
calendar budding with intriguing things for you and your family to enjoy. Or use the
Outdoor Directory for links to all sorts of hikes and outdoor fun!
High Liquidity
Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is bursting at the seams!
There are waterfalls scattered throughout the Skylands region, but nowhere so plentiful than in the Kittatinny Mountains, where streams find their way down steep slopes to the Delaware River. Within the Kittatinny range, which parallels a forty-mile stretch of the river in Warren and Sussex Counties,several waterfalls are only a short walk away from parking areas.
Now's the time!
Net Worth
The gouges and cuts that scarred the earth made way for early industrial commerce in Northwest New Jersey.
With a little research and a walk in the woods your town might transform from a collection of ordinary suburban neighborhoods to one of great historical significance.
Explore the site of the Elizabeth Mine in Rockaway, one of a number of iron ore operations that comprised the Mount Hope Mine, which produced about six million tons of iron ore and, from its forge and furnace, cast iron products such as Revolutionary War cannonballs.
Accrued Interest
Bob Thompson
The pursuit of birds in view
appeals to lots of people for lots of reasons.
Beyond the activity's obvious natural allure, "chasing" birds
keeps watchers physically fit. Learning and identifying
hundreds of species on the fly challenges the
intellect and intensifies awareness. And for
photographers and illustrators, there is no better
subject. The concentration of ridges, valleys
and wetlands in our area holds a fortune of interaction
with the avian experience any time of year,
but
especially in spring...
Capital Gains
White Township farmer Albert Smith in 1972, photographed by Richard Harpster.
Farms have always been integral to the fabric of Warren County, but farmers have had to adapt to
changing economic and community demands. The survivors have diversified their product, and many have ventured into agritourism in order to provide for their families.
April 4 - 11
Thrill of the Rill
For many, spring begins on the day when they once again find themselves along the bank of a rushing river, rod in hand.
April streams are overripe and filled with rain, but even the most severe conditions can not deny dedicated fishers their place on
Opening Day (Saturday, April 6), when hundreds-of-thousands of
stocked trout become fair game. Others prefer solitude along a handful of tiny creeks designated as
wild trout waters. In Northwest New Jersey, you'll find a diverse range of fishing environments—from meandering rivers to serene lakes and babbling mountain streams. Whether you prefer the art of fly fishing, the precision of casting, or just a
lazy worm and bobber, there's something for every angler, and each season brings its own unique charm to the
fishing experience.
The Mighty Musky
Because the Musconetcong River has been federally designated as a National Wild and Scenic River that has outstanding ecological value in free-flowing condition, this favorite fishing hole at Bloomsbury has a dim future. The dam is in the sites of the Army Corps of Engineers, due for removal sometime soon.
The
Musconetcong River runs forty-two miles down from Lake Hopatcong to the Delaware River. But in that brief distance, the river and its valley describe, for better or worse, the evolution of modern American culture in the advance of agriculture, transportation and industry. Exploration of the valley is never short on delightful surprises, and deserves to be on your spring itinerary. The village of Asbury is a
good place to begin.
A Stealth River
Opening day of fishing season on the Whippany at Speedwell Dam in Morristown
If ever there was a river that expresses New Jerseyans' attitude toward their state's natural resources, the
Whippany River is it. The Whippany rises in privacy in Mendham Township, and ends in obscurity amid a maze of highways in the Meadows of East Hanover, Hanover, and Parsippany, at the confluence of the Passaic, Rockaway, and Whippany Rivers. On the way, it provides us with some pretty views and some good fishing, and slices right through our lives. Mostly we drive, walk, work and live near it, never knowing it's there.
Big River
Ken Lockwood Gorge
If you speak to fishermen who know Ken Lockwood Gorge, you can almost feel the ache in their voices, like they're handing over a family treasure to a stranger. Its not an unwillingness to share, but sincere concern that generates stewardship among fisherman and many others about this 1.2 mile stretch of river. As rough as it looks, the Gorge is very delicate. It's a rare piece of wild water along the
Raritan South Branch.
Darkness, Darkness
You can view Jersey's piece of Monday's (April 8) solar eclipse at the
United Astronomy Clubs of NJ observatory in
Jenny Jump State Forest. Digital cameras will be attached to some of the telescopes to provide a live view of the eclipse. And you'll be in the company of fellow astronomy enthusiasts. There is a
waiting list for limited parking registration, so you might have to
plan a longer hike through the park in order to attend.
333 State Park Rd, Hope.
Bobolinks and other birds thrive in the farm's woods and grasslands.
Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse produces regenerative and sustainable foods that nourish people in harmony with nature. You'll find 100% grass-fed raw cow's milk cheese; pastured meats and charcuterie; wood-fired rustic breads.
Visit their website to learn more about our farm store, farmer’s markets, classes, events, and shipping. Or take a
farm tour this Sunday at
369 Stamets Road, Milford NJ.
March 28 - April 3
Walks of Life
Make your spring break by following
any number of paths and trails in Northwest New Jersey. Stretch your legs, breath fresh air and stay strong!
You got the action, you got the motion!
Sticks and Stokes
Tillman Ravine (Mary Jasch)
The way to Tillman Ravine in
Stokes State Forest begins on a narrow path through a dense stand of towering bare-trunked red and white pines planted by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1932, soon followed by Eastern hemlocks over 160 years old with high, delicate foliage with only spots of greenery among their mulch of needles and bark. The path heads down to the ravine and undulates along Tillman Brook where ferns and wood asters accompany the walker. Tree species change along the stream’s path with an attendant carpet of offspring: ash, beech, oak, hickory and sugar maple.
Hacklebarney Heaven
Hacklebarney State Park is 892 acres of glacial valley, with gorges carved by the Black River and two tributaries that feed it, the Rinehart and Trout Brooks. The dogs play and we talk in celebration of meeting in these Robin Hood woods. We stand on outcrops jutting over the river and gaze in awe at the grass, moss and seedlings living in the rocks brought here long ago.
Walk on...
Boulder Hops and Star Gazing
Outcrops along Jenny Jump's Summit Trail yield impressive vistas
The ancient rolling terrain of
Jenny Jump Mountain provides spectacular vistas of the Kittatinny Mountains and the Water Gap to the west, and the vast panorama of the Great Meadows to the east. A haven for those who love a hike and a good view, the Park promises special rewards for devotees of geology, astronomy, mountain biking, bird watchers, bass fishing, and all season camping.
Legstretchers
At the
Sourlands Mountain Preserve on East Mountain Road in Hillsborough, three trails begin at the same Trail Head across the grass from the parking lot. Grab a map in the kiosk and enter the woods for this pleasant hike in Somerset County. Take the four-mile Ridge Trail, designated with a rectangular blaze. The blazes here are carved wooden plaques in geometric shapes. Walks are always easy at the trailhead, and this one starts with a smooth gravel/dirt path under tall trees.
Karamac Candy
You’re likely to be watched as you saunter down this old railbed.
A former railbed just north of the Delaware Water Gap provides a short but satisfying taste of days past in a beautiful setting.
This short route is also perfect for those who are not inclined to hike longer, more difficult trails.
A perfect spring warm up!
March 20 - 27
Beware Spring!
It has arrived; the chaos that is spring! Incessant noise, obnoxious odors, persistent temptation, and relentless optimism are upon us. Keep our
calendar close! It's filled with events that will help navigate this most irritating of seasons. And here's your essential survival guide to the treacherous time ahead.
Noise Complaints
Bob Thompson
It's tough to sleep late theses days with all that racket up in the trees where
things are getting noisy. But look at the good side. Learning and identifying hundreds of species on the fly challenges the intellect and intensifies awareness. And for photographers and illustrators, there is no better subject. The concentration of ridges, valleys and wetlands in our area holds a fortune of interaction with the avian experience any time of year, but
especially in spring.
What's That Smell?
The "fresh" liberating aroma on a walk through the forest in early spring is, for a biologist, the odor of gases emitted by billions of tiny organisms in the newly thawed earth, releasing nutrients vital to the approaching
bloom of wildflowers. The first to pop above the layer of wet, dead leaves is always
skunk cabbage, able to spontaneously generate enough heat to propel it through the frozen ground.
Attitude adjustment
Trish Romano
Most of all, beware the contagious epidemic known as "spring fever," where everyone suddenly becomes unbearably cheerful and optimistic about life and the
promise of the season. Go vernal!
Call of the Mild!
Superbly camouflaged against the dormant meadow floor, the woodcock probes the soil with its long bill in search of a meal.
These mild days stir the blood, along with the sound signals that the new season is upon us. The surest sign that warmer weather is here to stay is the mating call of the
Spring Peeper, a tiny tree frog with a big, jingle bell voice fills the forest. Or, wanna
go see some male woodcocks show off for females by creating loud, nasal "peent" calls and performing dazzling aerial displays struts and launch into the air for a spiraling, zigzagging flight? Whaddya think?
Go take a walk, it's spring!
Rare Herps
When the first early spring rains come, thousands of salamanders, frogs and toads emerge from their winter slumber to make short stealthy migrations through the forest to breed and lay their eggs in vernal pools. The journey is often treacherous. (Photo: MacKenzie Hall)
As the season eases into milder temperatures at the onset of spring, all manner of creatures stretch their bodies and move more freely, searching for food and mates while they patrol their home turfs. Among these creatures are some of the most rare, interesting, and beautiful animals in the Garden State. Though they often go unnoticed or are misunderstood, reptiles and amphibians are vital to the balance of our fragile ecosystems—and some of them are in
pretty big trouble.
Tavern Tracking
Frenchtown’s National Hotel retains a precious old-time elegance.
Early settlements in northwest New Jersey typically grew around a mill, which provided sustenance for the body; a church, which offered sustenance for the soul; and a tavern, which delivered sustenance for both. In Hunterdon County, hundreds of the oldest taverns are now mostly forgotten. Many remain however, some hidden in plain sight, having been incorporated into later additions and renovations, evolving into establishments still in service. So, in celebration of spring's arrival, it would certainly be sensible to do your own research by
visiting some of these places.
Along the Western Front
This small stone building is believed to be the ruins of Fort Carmer, one of a line of forts from the French and Indian War.
Two decades before the American Revolution, the Royal Province of New Jersey prepared itself for the culmination of seventy years of bickering between the French and the English colonists. During the French and Indian War, the government was forced to take measures to protect New Jersey's northwestern frontier along the Delaware River from the increasing threat of marauding Indians, allies of the French armies. A line of forts and blockhouses were commissioned from Belvidere, in Warren County, through what is now the
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, to Port Jervis, New York, with soldiers patrolling between them. Get out your hiking shoes, pump up your bike tires, or warm up the car and
trace this line of forts!
Digging Deep
Picatinny Peak rises above Picatinny Lake, once known as Clifford Pond.
The Cultural Resource Program at
Picatinny Arsenal has documented dozens of historic and Native American archaeological sites that tell a story that spans centuries in the New Jersey Highlands.
More...
Foggy Mountain Breakdowns
Although there may have been as many as ten plane crashes along the Kittatinny Ridge in Sussex and Warren Counties, few people are aware of them. Due to the very rugged nature of the area's mountainous terrain, some of the wreckages have never been completely salvaged, and pieces still lie there. For example, the scant remains of an old airframe, possibly from an early Army biplane trainer, rest close to the Appalachian Trail near the top of the mountain, overgrown with brush. Without modern instruments, the ridge could be treacherous for aviators.
Read more!!
My Eduvacation
The serene atmosphere at Peters Valley invigorates a diverse community of artists.
Are you looking to explore your creative potential? How about a class or workshop at
Peters Valley Crafts Center? One of only six craft schools of its type in the country, and unique to Northwest New Jersey, it has grown from a small artists' collective in the early 1970s to a nationally recognized center for craft education.
Here's what happened one summer...
Run of the Mills
The restored grist mill at Millbrook Village.
Grist mill technology came to our country with the earliest settlers. Streams flowing from the New Jersey highlands made the geography of the northwestern section of our state ideally suited to the early mills, and by the middle of the 19th century the area was dotted with these self-contained, water-powered, grain-grinding factories. More efficient power sources and mass production quickly overwhelmed the small local grist mills and working mills were a rarity by the mid-20th century. The mills, however,
remain prominent in our landscape.
Best of Friends
Friends groups, as we know them in relation to many of our parks and precious historic sites, are surely bound by their commitment to community and stewardship. Always not-for-profit and volunteer driven, with the occasional paid executive director, Friends groups connect people to natural places, as well as to our heritage, while enhancing the role of public lands in local communities. If you’re looking for things to do this spring,
investigate the event schedules of dozens of Friends groups in Northwest New Jersey. Better yet, look into
joining!
