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 #RockSolidHistory from #WestMilford, NJ, specifically the #HighlandsTrail!
This multi-state trail runs for 150 miles in New Jersey until it connects to New York in West Milford. According to the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, it “showcases the natural beauty of the Highlands Region and connects local communities with the incredible recreational opportunities in their own backyards.” Not far from where I hiked from Long Pond Iron Works, there is a trail that goes along Monksville Reservoir. It looks to be an old road, perhaps a mining road. However, Monksville used to be a real town, but it is now submerged underwater due to the damming up of the Wanaque River in 1987. Today, this area provides drinking water to half of the residents of New Jersey, so the preservation of this land and this trail is super important. It’s also gorgeous in the cold weather! #GetOutdoorsNJ #WinterHikingNJ #WestMilfordNJ #PassaicCountyNatureGems #PassaicCountyParks #SeePassaicCounty #MonksvilleReservoir #LongPondIronWorks
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 #RockSolidHistory from #FranklinLakes, NJ!
While we are deep in winter, I want to remind folks that hiking is a lot of fun in the snow! Today I am talking about the Franklin Lakes Preserve, which was renamed the G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve to honor the former mayor who played a big part in getting this land preserved. The road leading to it was also renamed Russ Schroeder Way to honor the councilman who was also instrumental in creating this lovely park. Both the park’s name changes occurred in October 2024 by the borough of Franklin Lakes. You can walk a wide trail or a smaller reservoir-view trail. Both trails eventually intersect and narrow as they abut High Mountain Road and Ewing Ave. Many water birds, wildlife, and native plants shine along the way. #FranklinLakesPreserve #GThomasDonchNaturePreserve # RussSchroederWay #GetOutdoorsNJ #WinterHikingNJ #FranklinLakesNJ #BergenCountyNatureGems  #RockSolidHistory from Alstede Farms in Chester, NJ. Aside from the fun that this farm provides, from giant chairs, to hay rides, to a variety of pick-your-own produce (we came upon a blueberry bumper crop!), it also has an interesting bit of history.
There is an old and historical farmhouse there in need of restoration. It is not clear how or when that will happen, only that it is a big wish of the owners. It is situated next to the sunflower area. The Alstedes recently purchased a nearby property and are spending a lot of time and money to restore that former farm (Larison’s Turkey Farm) into an agricultural lot and country store. So there is likely not a lot of time to plan the restoration of this old farm building. However, this family is doing their part to preserve the farming history in this part of Morris County. #AlstedeFarms #ChesterNJHistory #MorrisCountyfarm #GetOutdoorsNJ #LarisonsTurkeyFarm #NJfarminghistory #GardenStateHistory #RockSolidHistory from Lake Superior! Not long ago, I missed an important memorial! On November 10, it was the 50th anniversary of sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald (in 1975).
The freighter, immortalized by Gordon Lightfoot’s 1976 shanty, sank in Lake Superior with 29 men on board. The terrible wintry storm, mixed with the ship’s impact with a shoal near Caribou Island, resulted in no survivors. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, Michigan, talks deeply about the Edmund Fitzgerald and even has the ship’s bell, which was retrieved by deep divers. But most shocking is just how many ships have sunken in Lake Superior - approximately 300! By the beach at Whitefish Point, there is a memorial to Gordon Lightfoot’s song, by artist Timothy Schmalz, who has several leaf sculptures dedicated to Lightfoot’s songs throughout Michigan, the U.S., and Canada. As we continue into this winter, keep positive thoughts for all those traveling in that deep, cold, and treacherous Great Lake. #LakeSuperiorHistory #LakeSuperiorShipwrecks #WhitefishpointShipwreckMuseum #MichiganTragedies #GordonLightfootsong #EdmundFitzgerald |
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