Saturday, October 26, 2019

Parks of Monmouth County - Turkey Swamp Park

Turkey Swamp Park

Welcome to the third installment of my series - Parks of Monmouth County. I have come to fall in love with Turkey Swamp Park over the past few years. The park is rather unique from all the others in the Monmouth County Park System in that it is the only park to post warnings about black bear. I don't recall reading about any bear sightings at the park but the brochure and park bulletin board issue warnings.

Turkey Swamp Park is a wooded park just under 2,300 acres in size located in Freehold with something for everyone. There is a 17-acre lake for fishing, boating and ice skating; you can bring your own boat or rent a boat, canoe or kayak. Please note that there is no boat ramp and you must carry your boat from the parking lot; no gas motors, electric motors are permitted. If you plan on fishing and are between the ages of 16 and 69, you must possess a valid New Jersey Freshwater Fishing License. If camping is in your future, Turkey Swamp is a great place to stay. They have two (2) different camping areas, one for Family camping and another for Group camping. I have camped a few times in the group area when my son was in Cub Scouts and had a great time. The main attraction, for me at least, are the trails. There are seven (7) trails of EASY and MODERATE difficulty ranging in length of about a mile to 2.5 miles. I have hiked the three EASY trails more than once and hope to get to the other three trails in the coming months. Lastly, there are a number of picnic areas, a couple playgrounds and the main Shelter Building. The Blueberry Path & Metedeconk Trail are accessible from the Nomoco Activity Area while all others are directly accessible from the Main Entrance on Georgia Road. The northern trail head for the Metedeconk Trail is accessible via the Link or Fitness Trail. I will have links to brochures you can view or download at the end of this post.

The Trails

Turkey Swamp Park, like most (all?) of the other parks, offers a Fitness Trail. I am not going to write about it as I haven't used the trail but wanted to mention it. It is a 1 mile trail along the outside of the big field on the west side of the park. There are 20 stations, each representing a different exercise or stretching regimen. I've also not hiked the Metedeconk Trail (1 mile MODERATE) or Blueberry Path (1 mile MODERATE) so I won't be writing about them. I will, at some point, hike and write about both. Stay tuned!

Alder Trail

The Alder Trail is a 1.6 mile EASY trail that takes you all around the lake. This is the trail I hike most often - if you can only hike one trail, make it this one. The trail takes you thru the Sandy Run Picnic Area which is where you would have found the boat dock shown in the image above (see Endnote below.) While the trail is rated as "easy" you need to be vigilant while hiking thru the wooded sections and keep your eyes on the trail in front of you - roots and stumps litter the trail and it is easy to trip over one. While hiking the trail you will come to a few spots that afford a wonderful view of the lake, if you approach quietly and keep an eye open you might catch a glimpse of a great white egret or great blue heron. Of course, spotting deer on any of the trails is always a possibility, particularly when you get to the big field on the east side of the lake.

Old Lenape Trail

The Old Lenape Trail is another 1.2 mile EASY trail, this one is entirely wooded and takes you around the Family Campground. The trail is named for the Lenape Indian tribe who were indigenous to the area. As with the Alder Trail, keep a lookout for rogue roots, stumps and rocks that can trip you up along the way. I have hiked this trail a few times and always found deer along the way; the woods can get a bit thick at times and often I didn't know the deer were there until I caught a fleeting glimpse of them running deeper into the woods. As you can see from the image to the left, the woods are a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and most of the area is covered in a lush carpet of leaves and needles. I love finding intimate scenes like this while hiking, landscape photography isn't always about the grand vistas and sweeping panoramas. To me, this image captures the essence of being in the woods in autumn - no better place nor better time of year.

Link Trail

The Link Trail is a .7 mile EASY trail that allows you to extend the length of your hike by acting as a "link" between Old Lenape Trail and Metedeconk Trail or Fitness Trail. The second time I hiked Old Lenape I took the Link over to the field, followed the Fitness Trail to Alder Trail and back to the parking lot. It made for a nice, long hike with a varied environment.

Manasquan Trail

The Manasquan Trail is a 2.5 mile MODERATE trail that starts on the Alder Trail, runs north and connects with the Old Lenape Trail on the way back. Though the trail itself is 2.5 miles, the entire hike is considerably longer - I hiked it for the first time this week and I covered just over 4.3 miles. I started at the Shelter, took the Alder Trail to Manasquan Trail and then back to the shelter via Old Lenape Trail. This is another heavily forested trail which runs along the Manasquan River in sections. The trail definitely deserves it's MODERATE rating due to some of the terrain and it's length. There are a couple small uphill grades but they are gradual and not very long. The trail, for the most part, is well defined and wide but it does become nothing more than a narrow passage shortly before you get to the river at the furthest point of the trail.

Metedeconk Trail

The Metedeconk Trail is a 1 mile MODERATE trail beginning at the Nomoco Activity Center. I haven't hiked this trail yet so I will refer you to the brochure for more information about it.

Blueberry Path

The Blueberry Path is a 1 mile MODERATE loop at the southern most section of the Nomoco Activity Center. I haven't hiked this trail yet so I will refer you to the brochure for more information about it.

Endnote: The wooden dock shown in "Early Fall Panorama from Boat Dock" is no longer there. It has been replaced by a larger, fiberglass dock and the trail leading to it has been enlarged.

For a full list of the series, with links, check out the "Parks of Monmouth County" page.

Brochures

How to get there

  • NJ Turnpike to Exit 7A to Interstate 195 east. Follow I-195 east. Follow I-195 to exit 22. Turn left onto Jackson Mills Rd. north. Follow Jackson Mills Rd. to Georgia Rd., turn left and follow 1.7 miles to main park entrance.
  • Garden State Parkway to Exit 98 to Interstate 195 west. I-195 west to Exit 22. Turn right onto Jackson Mills Rd. north; follow Jackson Mills Rd. to Georgia Rd.; turn left and follow 1.7 miles to main park entrance.
  • State Hwy. 9 to route 524 west. Follow 524 west to Georgia Rd., turn left and follow Georgia Rd. 1.7 miles to main entrance.
  • Nomoco Activity Area Is located 1.5 miles past the main park entrance. Continue south on Georgia Rd. to Nomoco Rd.; turn right and follow signs to Activity Area.



Monday, October 7, 2019

Parks of Monmouth County - Thompson Park

Thompson Park - Lincroft

Welcome to another installment of my series - Parks of Monmouth County. I started this series in May 2017 with the intention of writing about a different park each month - well, life got in the way and I got involved with other projects so I fell a bit behind. I will try to bring more in a more timely manner. 🤞
For a full list of the series, with links, check out the "Parks of Monmouth County" page.
Thompson Park has been the scene of several other posts in the past (I will list a few at the end) but I have never written about the park, in general, until now. The park is located on Route 520 (Newman Springs Road) in Lincroft, adjacent to Brookdale Community College. I worked about three miles away for a while in 2011/2012 and used to go to the park quite a bit - most lunch hours and often after work. There are a number of wooded trails that I enjoyed hiking thru, as-well-as paved trails. If you are quiet and remain alert, you are almost guaranteed to come across deer and, if you are lucky, a good-sized buck like the one shown here. I came across this guy during one of my lunch hikes, I had no idea he was there until something caught my eye - I turned and was able to grab a couple shots before he turned and ran off.

Trails

The trail here is the Track Loop, an easy 1 mile oval that is a favorite for runners. You can branch off this trail onto the Wanderer Trail which brings you into the field and is a nice little change from the dirt trail. If you are looking for a quick, wooded hike check out the Woodland Trail and consider taking the Marshy Walk along with it. The hawk shown here was taken on the Woodland Trail.

My favorite trail is the longer (4.8 mile) Reservoir Loop which runs from one end of the park to the other, most of the time surrounded by woods. There is the Swimming River Reservoir on one end and Marlu Lake on the other and you are almost certain to come across deer in your travels. The buck shown above was taken on the Reservoir Loop and the geese were on Marlu Lake. If you want an easy, paved trail for a leisurely walk you can try the Inner Loop or the Thompson Loop, 1.2 miles and 4.2 miles respectively. The Thompson Loop runs along the perimeter of the park and along local roads - it is ideal for walking or bike riding. All of the trails are rated as Easy or Moderate.

Wildlife

While I am mainly a landscape photographer I am drawn to the wildlife at Thompson Park more than the landscape. The park is quite beautiful but my money is on the hawks, deer and other fauna that I routinely come across. I don't think there was a single hike where I didn't encounter at least one deer and I always see hawks; though the close encounter depicted here is very rare.

There was one hike that afforded me the chance to photograph a garter snake and the lake is always alive with waterfowl - whether the geese shown here or ducks. The lake provides an opportunity to fish, whether from the shore or boat. You may bring your own boat or rent a canoe or kayak, either way, don't forget your freshwater fishing license.

Recreation

Hiking and fishing aren't the only activities available - there are picnic areas, a playground, open fields and even an "off-leash" dog area. If you want a workout, you can play tennis or pickleball on one of four tennis courts or reserve one of the athletic fields for a game - Ultimate, maybe?

The Visitor Center is housed in the mansion not far from the park entrance where you can pick up information abut the park and check out some of the exhibits. Finally, the Creative Arts Center offers many programs for people of all ages and skill levels - I suggest checking out the website to see what activities are scheduled.

In Closing

It should come as no surprise when I say that Thompson Park should added to your regular rotation. There is something for everyone, any time of year. I would caution you to check the park's website during deer hunting season because it is closed to the public during certain hours of the day.

If you have been to the park, let me know what you love about it. If you have a park that you think I would enjoy or that you would like to see me write about, leave me a comment below - I would love to hear from you.

Links

How to get there

From the North:
  • Garden State Parkway to Exit 109, turn left onto Rt. 520 West, 2.2 miles to Park (past M.T. Thompson park and Brookdale College entrance ) on left.
  • State Highway 34 to Route 520, turn left. Follow Rt. 520 east to Park entrance.

From the South:

  • Garden State Parkway to Exit 109, turn right onto Rt. 520 West (Newman Springs Rd.), 2.2 miles to Park (past M.T. Thompson park and Brookdale College entrance ) on left.
  • State Highway 34 to Route 520, turn right east to Park entrance.


All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

Thursday, October 3, 2019

"I go to nature to be soothed...."

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." - John Burroughs
This is a quote that I found posted by a Facebook friend a few years ago and decided to write about it someday. That someday is today.

When I first read this quote I immediately thought of the "Lily Pad Lake" at Allaire State Park. I don't know if it has a "real" name but I have always called it that. This is where I go if I want to be alone with just my thoughts and the beauty of nature. It lies on a major trail but not many people venture that far back. There is something about the stillness and serenity of this spot that I find very soothing and inspiring. The lake is a small oasis in the middle of a dense wood and it's surface is almost always mirror-like. I was once asked where my ideal home would be and I found myself describing a scene very much like the one shown here. I have come up with topics written about here, solved code problems for work and written letters while sitting on a bench on the bank.

There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope. – Bernard Williams
A sunrise over the ocean is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Watching the sun come up is like a rebirth or hitting a reset button. I have witnessed sunrise at lakes (Manasquan Reservoir - A Sunrise & Sunset Weekend), in the woods and on the road but, for my money, there is nothing as splendid as a the sun rising over the ocean. A friend recently told me that a sunset over the Pacific is equally as splendid, I will have to accept her word for it. The best time of year is anytime that isn't summer because that is when the air is crisper and the beaches are nearly deserted. I start planning sunrise shoots in October and go thru March or April; it isn't unusual for me to be at water's edge when the thermometer is well below freezing. My favorite sunrise location was the Fishing Pier at Ocean Grove but the pier was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. They have rebuilt the boardwalk and pier but they stopped short of where the shack once stood. I don't know if they will ever replace that section of the pier so, for now we just have our photographs and memories.
If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God. - Gilbert K. Chesterton
I guess the flip-side of sunrise over the ocean would be sunset over the river. It can be quite soothing after a long day, putting an end to one chapter and refueling for the next. It's like all of the day's struggles fall away and follow the sun over the horizon. I will often stick around for a while after the show is over and catch the encore that is twilight; this can often outshine the sunset but is often ignored by many. The ensuing darkness of night is a great equalizer and presents is own miracles with the twinkling of the stars. Much like the sunrise, I prefer sunsets in the cooler weather but there comes a time when I am sitting in my office as the show begins and have to watch out the window.

I grew up with Oceanport Creek (a small branch off of the Shrewsbury River) in my backyard and saw many incredible sunsets. There are slides and negatives waiting to be scanned some day. The sunset here is of a place that should look familiar to many of you - Maclearie Park in Belmar. I love this little park and am always pleasantly surprised when I discover a new composition.

There's no better place to find yourself that sitting by a waterfall and listening to it's music - Roland R Kemler
The magnificence of a waterfall cannot be overstated and, in this instance, size doesn't matter. The waterfall here is part of Dunnfield Creek along the same named trail on the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap. This is only about 1 mile or so from the trailhead and a spot I am anxious to get back to. There are quite a few waterfalls in this area, Buttermilk Falls being the highest in New Jersey (200') and I am hoping to get to some of them this autumn. There is something magnificent in the waterfall - the beauty and grace of the falling water deceptively mask it's sheer power. It's impossible to witness the water flowing over rocks worn smooth over time and not be in awe. The sound of the waterfall is truly one of the more melodious voices in nature's choir.

Bushkill Falls is called "Niagara of Pennsylvania" and I have visited it twice. My visits there were back in my 35mm days and I have many slides from those trips, still another job for scanning. If you are looking for a large waterfall and not excited about hiking thru the woods, you can check out Great Falls in Paterson. Only in Your State has an article named Ultimate New Jersey Waterfalls Road Trip where they list eight (8) must-see waterfalls in New Jersey - #1 on the list is Dunnfield Creek! This article may very well be the road map for my next vacation. 😉 There is a site for every state in the U.S. - look for yours and sign up for the updates.

Watching birds has become part of my daily meditations, affirming my connection to the Earth body – Carol P. Christ
Last, but certainly not least, is wildlife. I love to sit and watch birds come and go in my backyard. Looking to the sky and seeing a hawk flying around is awe inspiring. For my money I enjoy watching deer, chipmunks, egrets and herons more than any other of Mother Nature's creatures. There is something majestic about a deer, especially a buck, and the gracefulness of an egret is virtually unparalleled. I have been chasing egrets and herons for well over 30 years, going back to my 35mm days and Kodachrome. I have 100's of slides but never felt like I got "the" shot - it seemed the egret had become my Wildlife Holy Grail. That changed in 2012 while I was working in Union Beach. I discovered a small beach not too far from the office and I would drive over to enjoy the view; soon I discovered it was a favorite spot for egrets to fish during low tide. The great white egret shown here was shot during a lunchtime visit. I had my Sigma 400mm lens with me and walked away quite satisfied. The Sigma lens is one that I bought in the mid-80's so I needed to buy an adapter to use it on my digital camera - fully manual.

I will often sit in a park for no other reason than to watch, and listen to, the birds. A couple years ago I wrote Stop and Listen to the Birds Sing for my other blog. It is all about taking time to just relish the sights and sounds of nature. Birds aren't the only entertainment to be found in nature, deer are incredibly beautiful and graceful creatures; have you ever come across a buck while hiking thru the woods? It is a rare sight and one that you will take with you til your last breath. Chipmunks, on the other hand, are cute little creatures with an amazing amount of energy - I get exhausted watching them run around.

We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understandings and our hearts. - William Hazlitt
And so goes my tribute to the soothing, healing effects of nature. If you find yourself feeling stressed or life has been dealing you a losing hand lately, go to a park, a beach, woods or whatever you favorite getaway spot is and get reacquainted with Mother Nature and all she has to offer. Nature has a lot to teach us if we take the time to learn. The egret is the embodiment of patience - standing stock still in the water waiting for it's next meal to get within striking distance. Watch the chipmunk in his mission to find food for the long winter months as he tirelessly darts thru the woods.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your stay. If you have any quotes you like, leave them in the comments below; you may inspire my next post! What is your favorite thing to do to celebrate the natural world around us? Comments are always welcomed.



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