The Jerseyist

Avalon Sunset

2012-01-18T21:59:00.001-05:00

Avalon Sunset, a photo by MarisaAnn94 on Flickr.

avalon cove, Jersey City

2012-01-18T21:58:00.001-05:00

avalon cove, a photo by mudpig on Flickr.

The Revel

2012-01-17T20:07:00.001-05:00

The Revel, a photo by WhiPix on Flickr.

Atlantic City

***

Revel's hotel tower, is the tallest structure in Atlantic City and the second tallest in the state of New Jersey at 47 stories (710 ft)216 m (709 ft). The tower is also the second tallest casino tower in the United States. Revel will house 12 restaurants, 6 pools, 3 theaters, 2 night clubs, 44 retail shops and a 5,800 seat arena. Along with height records, the construction process is the largest one in Atlantic City since the construction of the Borgata. The project is being built by Tishman Construction Company of New Jersey. Revel has also selected design firms to aid in the conceptualization and implementation of its casino complex. Scéno Plus, a Montreal-based design firm, collaborates with other professionals to design core entertainment spaces as well as 150,000 feet of casino. In the summer of 2008 the project was officially scaled back to include just one hotel tower with 1,900 rooms due to lack of financing. In late January 2011, Revel C.E.O. Kevin DeSanctis while pitching yet another funding plan on Wall Street, announced that the property would only complete 1,090 rooms in the opening phase, in addition other aspects of the project were to be scaled back to meet the available funding. Source: Wikipedia

The Woodrow Wilson School

2012-01-17T20:06:00.001-05:00

The Woodrow Wilson School, a photo by David A. DeFreese on Flickr.

Princeton

Skylands Manor

2012-01-17T20:04:00.001-05:00

Skylands Manor HDR, a photo by Jersey JJ on Flickr.

Dreamscape, D&R Canal, NJ

2012-01-17T20:03:00.001-05:00

Dreamscape, D&R Canal, NJ, a photo by Roads Less Traveled Photography on Flickr.

Golden Sun

2012-01-17T20:01:00.001-05:00

Golden Sun, a photo by Maurizio Photography on Flickr.

Old Barney, Long Beach Island

Victorian House

2012-01-17T20:00:00.001-05:00

Victorian House #1c, a photo by twg1942 on Flickr.

Cape May

Holder Hall

2012-01-17T19:59:00.003-05:00

Holder Hall, a photo by Jeff_B. on Flickr.

Princeton University Spooky

Northampton Street Bridge

2012-01-17T19:59:00.001-05:00

Northampton Street Bridge, a photo by ShutterBugLeroy on Flickr.

Phillipsburg

Morris Goodkind Bridge over the Raritan River, New Jersey

2012-01-17T19:57:00.001-05:00

BRIDGE K109: Morris Goodkind Bridge over the Raritan River, New Jersey, a photo by jag9889 on Flickr.

7764 Newborn Promethea Moth, IMG_1442_1.JPG

2012-01-17T19:54:00.001-05:00

7764 Newborn Promethea Moth, IMG_1442_1.JPG, a photo by Anita363 on Flickr.

Saint Peter's College on the Palisades, Hudson River, Englewood Cliffs NJ

2012-01-15T20:19:00.001-05:00

Saint Peter's College on the Palisades, Hudson River, Englewood Cliffs NJ, a photo by jag9889 on Flickr.

Palisades

2012-01-15T20:17:00.001-05:00

Palisades, a photo by R_J on Flickr.

The Devil's Tower

2012-01-15T20:15:00.001-05:00

The Devil's Tower, a photo by LucasAeon on Flickr.

Lambertville, New Jersey

2012-01-14T21:47:00.001-05:00

A "Doors Reunion" , a photo by Puzzler4879 on Flickr.

New Jersey Floods 2010

2012-01-14T21:40:00.001-05:00

New Jersey Floods 2010, a photo by American Red Cross on Flickr.

Hackettstown

2012-01-14T15:00:00.001-05:00

New Jersey Hackettstown 057, a photo by WebSphinx on Flickr.

M&Ms Crossing

2012-01-14T14:57:00.001-05:00

M&Ms Crossing, a photo by MikeRastiello on Flickr.

Outcrop of rock in the Palisades

2012-01-13T11:45:00.001-05:00

Outcrop of rock in the Palisades, a photo by Bogdan Migulski on Flickr.

Thomas Shinn log cabin, Mount Holly, New Jersey

2012-01-13T10:07:00.001-05:00

Thomas Shinn log cabin, Mount Holly, New Jersey, a photo by Bogdan Migulski on Flickr.

Toll House on the Delaware & Raritan Canal

2012-01-08T18:55:00.001-05:00

Toll House on the Delaware & Raritan Canal, a photo by Roads Less Traveled Photography on Flickr.

Raritan Bay at Atlantic Highlands

2012-01-08T18:53:00.001-05:00

Raritan Bay at Atlantic Highlands, a photo by wmliu on Flickr.

The Red Mill in Clinton

2012-01-08T18:52:00.001-05:00

The Red Mill in Clinton, a photo by _Robert C_ on Flickr.

Officer's Row

2012-01-08T18:48:00.001-05:00

Officer's Row, a photo by Michael_Underwood on Flickr.

Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook, New Jersey

oval arches

2012-01-08T18:46:00.001-05:00

oval arches, a photo by nj dodge on Flickr.

Bridge over Raritan River between New Brunswick and Highland Park.

Buttermilk Falls (Walpack Valley, Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey)

2012-01-07T17:08:00.001-05:00

Buttermilk Falls (Walpack Valley, Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey), a photo by takomabibelot on Flickr.

Falling Water

2012-01-07T17:06:00.001-05:00

Falling Water, a photo by Ultima Gaina on Flickr.

Seeley's Pond Waterfall, New Jersey

Sunset on Fortescue beach

2012-01-07T17:02:00.001-05:00

Sunset on Fortescue beach, a photo by AaronMaff on Flickr.

Cumberland County, New Jersey
***
Fortescue is an unincorporated area on the southern coast of New Jersey, in Delaware Bay. It has a population of about 400.
During the late 1970s and mid 1980s, Fortescue experienced the best fishing it had ever seen. Anglers were catching massive amounts of weakfish every summer. Fortescue is the self-proclaimed "weakfish capital of the world".^[1]
Fortescue is part of the Fortescue State Wildlife Management Area which is located in Downe Township, in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States, and makes up 1,160.52 acres. Source: Wikipedia.

Mindowaskin

2012-01-07T16:59:00.001-05:00

Mindowaskin, a photo by Hepcat75 on Flickr.

Mindowaskin Park, Westfield, New Jersey
***

Mindowaskin Park

A 12.6 acre park on East Broad Street featuring play area, ice skating, Bandstand, Memorial Trees and gardens.

The Friends of Mindowaskin Park is a non-profit organization founded in the early 1990's to revitalize the park. Visit their web site at www.mindowaskinpark.org.Source: Westfield Parks

Downtown Westfield, New Jersey

2012-01-07T16:58:00.001-05:00

Downtown Westfield, New Jersey, a photo by 2nd Hand Light on Flickr.

Wells Mills Park

2012-01-06T10:49:00.001-05:00

129, a photo by kaffrini on Flickr.

Ocean County
***

910 acres
905 Wells Mills Road (Route 532), Waretown, NJ
609-971-3085

Wells Mills has the distinction of being the largest park in the Ocean County park system with over 900 acres of pine and oak forest within southern New Jersey's environmental marvel known as the Pine Barrens. Miles of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty can be found here, including a "VIP" (Visually Impaired Persons) Trail.

The three-story Nature Center offers a great display floor, a library, and the third floor "Elizabeth Meirs Morgan Observation Deck", recently dedicated in honor of a very active naturalist and conservationist in Ocean County.

Environmental programs and classes are held regularly at Wells Mills, with experienced naturalists available to answer any questions you may have about the ecology of this area.

The Annual "Pine Barrens Jamboree" is held at Wells Mills each October. A day filled with music, piney vittles and hand-made crafts, it's an event not to be missed!

Beautiful Wells Mills Lake has trails meandering around it, perfect for a leisurely stroll through the 900 acres of Pine Barrens located within Wells Mills County Park. Canoe rentals are also available at a nominal cost.

Facilities:

Bike trail, canoe rental (seasonal), conservation area, fishing, handicapped accessible, nature center, open playing fields, picnic area, playground, restrooms. Source: Ocean County Parks Department.

Snowy Owl 11/25/11

2012-01-06T10:46:00.001-05:00

Snowy Owl 11/25/11, a photo by Peter Schoenberger on Flickr.

Merrill Creek Reservoir, Warren County, New Jersey.

Mystery Beer

2012-01-06T10:42:00.001-05:00

Mystery Beer, a photo by Patrick Haney on Flickr.

Lake Hopatcong
***
Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater body in the state of New Jersey, USA, approximately 4 square miles (10 km²) in area. The lake is located in the mountains of northern New Jersey, north of Netcong and along the border between Sussex and Morris counties.
The lake is within the borders of four municipalities, Hopatcong, Jefferson Township, Roxbury Township, and Mount Arlington. In the 18th century, the lake existed in two separate parts known as the "Great Pond" on the south and "Little Pond" on the north.^[1]
A natural body of water, the area of the lake has been enlarged by the damming of the Musconetcong River, its natural outlet, on the southern side of the lake. Source: Wikipedia.

Spooky Tree

2012-01-06T10:34:00.001-05:00

Spooky Tree, a photo by YG Low on Flickr.

Round Valley Reservoir, Hunterdon County

Taj Mahal - Atlantic City

2012-01-06T10:29:00.001-05:00

Taj Mahal - Atlantic City, NJ 03, a photo by Wasabi Bob on Flickr.

On the Boardwalk.
***
Trump’s third property in Atlantic City, was wrapped in controversy prior to opening as it was part of the fight between Donald Trump and Merv Griffin along with Resorts Casino Hotel in 1988 over Resorts International. Resorts was developing and constructing the Resorts Taj Mahal Casino north of Resorts Casino Hotel on the boardwalk, but had run out of money and construction was stopped. Trump was attempting to buy the unfinished resort, along with Resorts, but Merv Griffin would not sell. Eventually, a deal was created between Trump and Griffin giving Griffin Resorts in Atlantic City and the Resorts Paradise Island with the unfinished Taj Mahal project going to Trump. The casino opened in 1990 as the Trump Taj Mahal and remained the largest and highest grossing casino in the city until the opening of the Borgata in 2003. The Chairman Tower opened in 2008, bringing the complex to over 2,000 rooms. Source: Wikipedia

Distant Memory

2012-01-04T17:40:00.001-05:00

Distant Memory, a photo by glenOX [glen navarra] on Flickr.

Delaware River, Trenton, New Jersey

Matawan

2012-01-04T17:37:00.001-05:00

Matawan, a photo by F Rim (Ephraim) on Flickr.

Matawan is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,810.[4] The name "Matawan" comes from a Native American Lenape word.[9]

Matawan is part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bayshore coastline.

Matawan was formed as a borough on June 28, 1895, from portions of Matawan Township (now Aberdeen Township), based on the results of a referendum held that day. Matawan expanded with portions of Matawan Township in 1931 and 1933, and from Madison Township (now Old Bridge Township) in 1939.[10]

Town was founded by Dutch settlers in the 17th century (Matawan celebrated a tricentennial in the 1980s). Scotch-Irish settlers from New Hampshire later named the town New Aberdeen. It was changed, but neighboring Matawan Township took the name of Aberdeen in 1970s. Source: Wikipedia

Mullica River - Pleasant Mills

2012-01-04T17:33:00.001-05:00

Mullica River - Pleasant Mills, a photo by wildcanoersteve on Flickr.

It rises in central Camden County, near Berlin, on the southeastern fringes of the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia. It flows generally east-southeast across the state, crossing the Wharton State Forest. Near The Forks, where it receives the Batsto River, the Mullica broadens into a navigable river approximately 20 miles (32 km) long, stretching east-southeast and emptying into Great Bay approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Atlantic City. Approximately 3 miles (5 km) upstream from its mouth on Great Bay it receives the estuary of the Wading River from the north. Approximately 2 miles (3 km) upstream from its mouth it receives the Bass River from the north.

The estuary is crossed by the Garden State Parkway and US 9 near its mouth. The lower reaches of the river form an extensive wetlands area, which is protected on its southern bank as the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. The river is noted as a spawning ground for striped bass. Source: Wikipedia

Carl Icahn Laboratory - Princeton University #2

2012-01-04T12:49:00.001-05:00

Carl Icahn Laboratory - Princeton University #2, a photo by shaporama on Flickr.

Construction of the 90,000 square foot building began in early 2001. Scientists from the departments of molecular biology, physics, chemical engineering and computer science began moving into their new labs this past January.

The bright and welcoming atrium exemplifies one of the building's objectives: to bring scientists working in various disciplines together in one space. The need for interaction has been a driving element in both the conceptual and physical design of the institute. To achieve that result, architect Rafael Viñoly worked closely with the institute's founding director Shirley M. Tilghman, now Princeton's president, to design the Icahn Lab for maximum flexibility and collaboration.

The building's design addresses more than functional issues, as well. The expanse of glass that encases the atrium is shaded by two-story louvers that move with the sun and cast shadows in the double-helix shape of DNA. In an additional detail, the atrium is graced by a Frank Gehry-designed sculpture -- a voluminous, undulating metal shell supported by a seemingly delicate wooden framework -- which doubles as a conference room.

Tilghman, Botstein and Viñoly will speak at the dedication ceremony, along with alumni Peter B. Lewis and Carl Icahn. The institute was established through a gift from Lewis, who is a member of the class of 1955. It is named to honor the friendship between Lewis and his classmate Paul Sigler, who was one of the world's leading structural biologists and who died in 2000. Construction of the laboratory was made possible by funding support from the Icahn Family Foundation. Icahn, founder and president of the foundation, is a member of the Class of 1957. Source: Princeton.edu

Asbury Park Convention Center

2012-01-04T12:46:00.001-05:00

Asbury Park Convention Center poster-style HDR {EXPLORED}, a photo by Cheri Sundra: Guerilla Historian on Flickr.

In 1916, Asbury Park Mayor Clarence E.F. Hetrick hired famed architectural firm McKim, Mead and White to design a convention center for the block just north of the city's Atlantic Square, between 6th and Sunset Avenues. The firm submitted a plan that called for a 5000-seat venue costing $75,000 to construct. However, city founder James A. Bradley owned the block in question, then home to the aging Asbury Park Auditorium, and refused to sell the plot to the city. After Bradley's death in 1921, department store scion Arthur Steinbach purchased the Auditorium property from Bradley's estate, demolished the auditorium, and constructed the Berkeley-Carteret Hotel on the plot. Source: Wikipedia

Stunning Photo of Princeton University Chapel

2012-01-04T12:43:00.001-05:00

Princeton University Chapel, a photo by todd landry photography on Flickr.

The Princeton University Chapel is located on that university's main campus in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. It replaces an older chapel that burned down in 1920. Designed in 1921 by Ralph Adams Cram in his signature Collegiate Gothic style, it was built by the university between 1924 and 1928 at a cost of $2.3 million. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered a sermon there in 1960. The chapel was rededicated in an interfaith ceremony in 2002 following a major two-year restoration.

Its size and design evoke a small cathedral of the English Middle Ages. The only university chapel of its size at the time it was built was King's College Chapel at the University of Cambridge. The foundation is poured concrete, and the superstructure is sandstone and limestone. The main sanctuary consists of a narthex, a gallery, a nave, two transepts joined by a crossing, and an elevated choir. The chapel's extensive iconography consists of stained glass, stonemasonry, and wood carvings. Among the stained glass are four "great windows", one facing each cardinal direction, and four "Christian epic" windows in the walls of the choir. The iconography was planned by Albert M. Friend, a faculty member in Princeton's Department of Art and Archaeology, with the goal of portraying, in one scholar's words, a "synthesis between Christian faith and modern thought."[1]

The chapel seats almost 2,000 people. A nondenominational chapel, it hosts weekly ecumentical Christian services and daily Catholic masses. It also hosts several annual special events, such as baccalaureate services and commencements. Source: Wikipedia

Ocean City Pier - New Jersey

2012-01-04T12:41:00.001-05:00

Ocean City Pier - New Jersey, a photo by todd landry photography on Flickr.

In the early days Ocean City was known as Peck’s Beach, an eight-mile stretch of sand dunes, meadows and cedar swamps named for John Peck, a whaler who used the island as a staging spot for his whaling operation. The island had served as a summer fishing camp for local Native Americans, a grazing land for cattle driven out from the mainland and an occasional hunting or picnic spot for mainland residents who would come out by boat.

September 10, 1879, four ministers, Ezra B. Lake, James Lake, S. Wesley Lake and William Burrell chose the island as a suitable spot to establish a Christian retreat. Having chosen the name “Ocean City”, the founders incorporated the “Ocean City Association”, laid out street and lots for cottages, hotel and businesses. From these beginnings Ocean City has grown into the town as it exists today. The first bridge was built to the island in 1883, while the first railroad soon followed. The first school began in 1881. The boardwalk grew and was relocated several times. A large fire in 1927 changed the town significantly. Source: OCNJ.us

Great Falls of Paterson

2012-01-03T22:48:00.001-05:00

Falls, a photo by Patrick Campagnone on Flickr.

Ken Lockwood Gorge, autumn

2012-01-03T22:41:00.001-05:00

Ken Lockwood Gorge, autumn, a photo by gmaronson on Flickr.

Firelight in the Dead Trees

2012-01-03T17:06:00.001-05:00

Firelight in the Dead Trees, a photo by SunnyDazzled on Flickr.

Long Pond Ironworks State Park.

Long Pond Ironworks were founded in 1766 by Peter Hasenclever. Hasenclever brought 500 ironworkers and their families from Germany to build an ironworks "plantation". A dam at "Long Pond" (Greenwood Lake) provided the waterpower needed to operate a blast for the furnace and a large forge. The ironworks produced iron for the Continental Army, for the American forces in the War of 1812, and for the Union Army during the Civil War. Metalmaking stopped at the site in 1882 when the ironworks was bankrupted by newer facilities in Pittsburgh. The remnants of the ironmaking structures at the district date from the 18th and 19th centuries. There are furnaces, casting house ruins, charging areas, ice houses, water wheels and other structures.[3] Source: Wikipedia.

High Point Symmetry

2012-01-03T17:03:00.001-05:00

High Point Symmetry, a photo by bikeracer on Flickr.

The mountain is in the 14,193 acre (57 km²) High Point State Park. Route 23 skirts the park and carries visitors from the New Jersey suburbs and from points in New York State. The park is administered by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry.

Entrance fees are only charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day: $ 5.00 on weekdays and $10.00 on weekends.[3]

The land for High Point State Park, donated by Colonel Anthony R. and Susie Dryden Kuser of Bernardsville, New Jersey, was dedicated as a park in 1923. The pleasant landscaping was designed by the Olmsted Brothers of Boston, a prominent landscape architectural firm of that time. The brothers were the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park.

To the south the Appalachian Trail follows a rocky ridge which offers many scenic views of the valleys and mountains surrounding the area. To the north, the trail drops off the ridge through hemlock gorges into former agricultural fields with a view of the surrounding countryside and the High Point Monument in the distance.

Plans had been made to close the park as of July 1, 2008 under Gov. Jon Corzine's budget plan for 2009. Veterans groups, who have held an annual memorial at the site, expressed their opposition to the proposal, which was ultimately removed from the final budget.[4]

High Point, New Jersey was the host "highpoint" of the 2009 Highpointers Convention.[5]
[edit] Source: Wikipedia

Bayonne Bridge...at its best

2012-01-03T16:58:00.001-05:00

Bayonne Bridge...at its best, a photo by Manny Pabla on Flickr.

The Bayonne Bridge is the fourth longest steel arch bridge in the world, and was the longest in the world at the time of its completion.[3][4] It connects Bayonne, New Jersey with Staten Island, New York, spanning the Kill Van Kull. Despite popular belief, it is not a national landmark.

The bridge was designed by master bridge-builder Othmar Ammann and the architect Cass Gilbert. It was built by the Port of New York Authority and opened on November 15, 1931, after dedication ceremonies were held the previous day.[5]

The Port Authority is planning to rebuild the roadway higher within the existing arch to allow larger container ships to pass underneath.[6]

Ammann, the master bridge builder and chief architect of the Port Authority, chose the steel arch design after rejecting a cantilever and suspension design as expensive and impractical for the site, given a requirement by the Port Authority that the bridge must be able to accommodate the future addition of rapid transit tracks.[7]

The eventual design of the bridge called for a graceful arch that soars 266 feet (69 m) above the Kill Van Kull[8] and supports a road bed for 1,675 feet (511 m) without intermediary piers. The total length of the bridge is 8,640 feet (2,633 m) with a mid-span clearance above the water of 150 feet (46 m). The arch resembles a parabola, but is made up of 40 linear segments.

The design of the steel arch is based on the Hell Gate Bridge designed by Ammann's mentor, Gustav Lindenthal.[9] Gilbert had designed an ornamental granite sheathing over the steelwork as part of the original proposal, but as in the case of the George Washington Bridge, the stone sheathing was eliminated in order to lower the cost of the bridge, leaving the steel trusses exposed. It was the first bridge to employ the use of manganese steel for the main arch ribs and rivets.[10]

Construction on the bridge began in 1928, and eventually cost $13 million. When it opened on November 15, 1931, it was the longest steel arch bridge in the world.[11] Although it was deliberately built a few feet longer than the Sydney Harbour Bridge, David M. Dow, the Secretary for Australia in the United States, attended the dedication ceremony and noted that the bridge in Sydney was much larger and contained more than double the amount of steel. The same pair of golden shears used to cut the ribbon for the Bayonne Bridge was sent to Australia for the ribbon cutting of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.[5][12]

The presence of the Bayonne Bridge ultimately led to the discontinuation of the Bergen Point Ferry.

The supported roadway carries two lanes of traffic in each direction. The roadway deck could accommodate an expansion for either two traffic lanes or two light-rail lanes. A pedestrian walkway, cantilevered from the western side of the roadway, currently provides the only access by foot to Staten Island; at more or less normal walking speed, it takes approximately 25–30 minutes to walk from the street access on one side of the bridge to the street access on the other side. The Port Authority also permits bicycle traffic, however the sidewalk ends abruptly at descending stairs on the New Jersey side. Due to safety concerns, bicycle riders are required to walk their bicycles across the bridge.[13]

Tolls are collected on vehicles traveling into Staten Island (there is no toll for vehicles traveling into New Jersey).

As of September 18, 2011, the cash tolls going from New Jersey to Staten Island will be charged $12 for cars and $11 for motorcycles (there is no toll for passenger vehicles going from Staten Island to New Jersey). All E-ZPass users will be charged $7.50 for cars and $6.50 for motorcycles during off-peak hours (outside of 6-10 am and 4-8 pm on the weekdays; and outside of 11 am - 9 pm on the weekends) and $9.50 for cars and $8.50 for motorcycles during peak hours (6-10 am and 4-8 pm on the weekdays; and 11 am - 9 pm on the weekends).[1]

In September 2007, the New York City Transit Authority began a limited-stop bus route (the S89 ) that crosses the bridge. The route's termini are the Hylan Boulevard bus terminal in Eltingville, Staten Island and the 34th Street Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Station in Bayonne. This is the first interstate bus service offered by the MTA.[14]

In 2003, the bridge carried about 20,000 vehicles per day.

The Bayonne Bridge was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1985.[10] Source: Wikipedia.

Jersey City, New Jersey and the 2010 Lunar Eclipse

2012-01-03T16:55:00.001-05:00

Jersey City, New Jersey and the 2010 Lunar Eclipse, a photo by mudpig on Flickr.

A New Day Has Come

2012-01-03T16:54:00.001-05:00

A New Day Has Come, a photo by Moniza* on Flickr.

Jersey Shore

Ivy

2012-01-03T16:49:00.001-05:00

Ivy, a photo by jgurbisz on Flickr.

Kinnelon, again.

Tripod Rock

2012-01-03T16:40:00.001-05:00

Tripod Rock, a photo by Gene O'Neill on Flickr.

Tripod Rock is glacial erratic or "perched boulder" located in Kinnelon, New Jersey in the Pyramid Mountain Natural Historical Area. This famous multi-ton Precambrian gneiss boulder, located near the edge of a long ridge, is balanced on three smaller boulders. It is roughly 6 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 2.5 meters high (~19 feet, 10 feet, and 7.5 feet). Its weight has been estimated as approximately 127 metric tons (140 tons). There is a peculiar triangular crest running the length of its top. The entire boulder is balanced on three smaller stones between roughly one meter in diameter that raise it above the bedrock by about 0.5 meters at its lowest point. The point of contact between the main boulder and its support stones form an approximate 3-4-5 triangle.

About 12 meters northwest from Tripod Rock are three boulders that appears to form a triangle. The two largest boulders are balanced partially on smaller stones (see diagram). The apex rock is about 3 meters away to the northeast. Sighting from a bedrock outcrop near Tripod Rock through the two large boulders, the apex of the triangular configuration points to the next ridge on the horizon to the west. Intriguingly, it has been observed that this line of sight forms the setting point of the sun on the summer solstice. During the early 1980's Tripod Rock and the stones near it were surveyed and the place on the ridge where the sun sets at the summer solstice was visible due to gypsy moth defoliation.[1] It was noted that a large boulder was located at the top of the ridge at the place of the summer solstice sunset. Within a year of the survey a home was constructed on that site and the rock was displaced by earth-moving machinery. Today the sun sets against the far ridge near the edge of a residence and is only partially visible.

There are also two smaller perched boulders found to the northeast of Tripod rock (not shown on diagram) that measure approximately 1 to 3 meters in diameter. No specific calendar alignment has been noted. Tripod Rock stands on a ridge overlooking a long valley where a massive glacial erratic named Bear Rock is located near a brook. Bear Rock is said to have been thoroughly excavated for archaeological artifacts in the 19th century, some of which are reported to be owned by museums, though this has not been verified. Bear Rock has a large overhang making it a possible rock shelter.

While there is no evidence that Tripod Rock was ever used as a solar observatory, it could function as one if a small portion of the ridge across the valley were kept clear. Tripod Rock is presumed to be a natural, though highly unusual, glacial erratic. It is comparable to the balanced rock in North Salem, New York. Some have suggested that Tripod Rock was modified or adjusted into its present position by lifting and inserting successively larger stones. A local legend suggests it was levitated into position by Native Medicine. While the later explanation is highly unlikely, the Tripod Rock site is located in a region that once had a large Native American population and it is possible that some form of calendar keeping utilized the horizon features of the area. Source: Wikipedia

weymouth furnace ruins

2012-01-03T16:37:00.001-05:00

weymouth furnace ruins, a photo by subliculous on Flickr.

ACCESS AND PARKING: Open daily from dawn to dusk with ample parking. Gated after hours. Relatively swift water in Spring and after rains on the Great Egg Harbor River. Use caution with small children.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The smokestack and ruins in the park are the remains of a circa-1800 bog iron furnace. The bog iron industry was important to United States effort against the British in the War of 1812. Not much is known about the specific room functions of the structure, but further excavation and rehabilitation may reveal more in the future.

A CLOSER LOOK: For a slightly longer paddle along the Wild and Scenic Great Egg Harbor River, begin at Penny Pot Park and end at Weymouth Furnace. To reach Penny Pot Park, exit Weymouth Furnace Park and turn Left onto Weymouth Road. Turn Right onto Route 322. After 4.6 miles turn Right onto 8th Street. There will be a small parking and launching area 0.1 miles on the right.
SITE DESCRIPTION: With an iconic smokestack and ruins harkening back to the bog iron and paper mill days of the 1800s, Weymouth Furnace Park is one of the most popular and well known of all Atlantic County Parks. Located at the junction of Black Horse Pike and the Great Egg Harbor River, accessibility and amenities such as charcoal grills, picnic tables and benches make this site perfect for family outings and casual birding. An easy five-mile canoe or kayak cruise down the Great Egg Harbor River from Weymouth Furnace to Lake Lenape is the best way to experience the Pine Barrens and all of the unique flora and fauna of this pristine watershed.

DON'T MISS: An easy five-mile canoe or kayak cruise down the Great Egg Harbor River from Weymouth Furnace to Lake Lenape is the best way to experience the Pine Barrens and all of the unique flora and fauna of this pristine watershed.

THROUGH THE SEASONS:
Winter: The park is fairly quiet and attractive as a meditation site. Winter resident birds include Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch and Blue Jay. The running water attracts mixed flocks of Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren and Yellow-rumped Warbler. Winter specialties to keep an eye out for include Golden-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Winter Wren and Fox Sparrow. Great Blue Heron occasionally fish along the banks.
Spring: The Park comes to life with migrant songbirds such as Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Phoebe, American Redstart, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Baltimore Oriole and Common Yellowthroat, among others. Myrtle periwinkle blooms around the ruins and violets decorate the grassy areas. Spring peeper, Fowler’s toad, American toad, green frog, pickerel frog, red-backed salamander and red-spotted newt are among amphibians that are becoming active. Raccoon and opossum tracks are sometimes visible in the mud. Moths and butterflies such as spring azure, comma and mourning cloak flutter around spring buds.
Summer: Listen for calling Louisiana Waterthrush downstream and nesting woodland birds such as Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, American Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and American Goldfinch. Chipmunks gather food in the leaf litter. Look for dragonflies and damselflies hunting in the open woods and streamside vegetation. Frogs and the occasional garter snake can be glimpsed near the natural spring. Sunfish, pirate perch and pickerel are among fish that call the river home. The full canopy makes this park a good respite from summer's heat. Insect repellant recommended.
Fall: The large oak, maple, birch, poplar and beech trees along the river turn beautiful colors. Gray squirrels and chipmunks forage in the open woods. Southbound migrant songbirds such as Hermit Thrush, Eastern Towhee, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Cedar Waxwing, Black-and-White Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet use the river as a corridor, as do raptors such as Coopers and Sharp-shinned Hawks.
Source: NJwildlifeTrails.org