And a couple of not-so-great ones, too!
Click on the Date or Event below, then the Event.
July 2, 2010, Bob and Ellie Muska, Bill Flintoff, Laura and I drove up to Ringwood, New Jersey, to hike at Norvin Green State Forest. |
On Wednesday, November 18th, Bill Flintoff, George Kunzel, Laura Rupp and I left New Jersey for the Catskills. Slide Mountain in the Town of Shandaken in Ulster County, in southern New York, to be exact. We arrived at the Slide Mountain Forest House in Oliverea early in the afternoon. We were met by Ralph Combe, our host. He could not have been nicer or more accommodative, giving us an early breakfast the next day. | |
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Our first hike was to Giant Ledge atop Panther Mountain. Shortly after starting, a film crew of about eight people passed us on the way up. We volunteered our services if they were filming a disaster movie (a perfect fit), but no, they had their own actor, fully made up like the Monty Python “It’s” character. Some of the sections of the hike were very steep and rocky, but the distance wasn’t too great. The weather was perfect and the views, beautiful. Thursday, we started out early (OK, relatively early) to climb Slide Mountain. Again, very rocky and steep in places and the hike was twice as long. The sky was clouding over and as we reached the peak, fog, mist and a gentle rain had settled in. Couldn’t see a thing off the mountain, but we presumed they looked same as they did going up and it was beautiful going up. Another very successful hike, two, as a matter-of-fact, with great friends and wonderful memories that will stay with us. And another big "Thank you" to Bill Flintoff for initiating and arranging this hike. I guess as long as he does a great job of planning and executing these hikes, we'll let him continue in this role. |
On October 5th, 2009, Laura Rupp, Bill Flintoff and I made our third attempt to climb the Pinnacle on a crisp (65° F), sunny day. The Pinnacle offers an amazing view of the scenic Hamburg, Pennsylvania farmland and countryside. This was Laura’s first attempt, for Bill and me, our third attempt (see Pinnacle, November 13th, 2007 and September 3rd, 2008).
However, we did manage to turn an invigorating 8.55 miles into 12.01 miles of hiking with one tiny missed trail marker. Note the irony that during hikes of one of the East’s most scenic overlooks, we have twice overlooked a trail marker and lost our way. Aspirin-inspiring irony, indeed.
The spectacular views – Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle – made the extra mileage irrelevant. We loved every minute: great weather, great friends and a great hike!
America is still the Beautiful!
On September 26th, Laura Rupp and I climbed Mount Tammany at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey on a 4.46 mile hike. Mount Minsi and Mount Tammany are the two mountains that create the gap through which the Delaware waters flow.
The weather was warm and partly sunny and the climb was very steep in places. The trip up was along the Red Dot Trail from the Dunnfield Creek rest area along I-80. It was very steep in places and quite rocky. The trip down was along the Blue Dot Trail. This was also steep, but not as much as the Red Dot.
Once we reached the peak, we were greeted by a low-flying glider whooshing directly overhead.
The weather was perfect for hiking, the company was perfect and Mt. Tammany gave us a short but strenuous hike and some very beautiful views of nature.
On June 8th, Laura Rupp and I climbed Mount Minsi at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania on a 4.73 mile hike. Mount Minsi and Mount Tammany are the two mountains that create the gap through which the Delaware waters flow.
The weather was warm and sunny and the climb was steep in places. The trip back to the parking lot was along a fire road, so it was decidedly less steep, which we welcomed.
We were greeted in the parking lot by several Blue Flag flowers and Mountain Laurel accompanied us along the entire route. We passed by Lake Lenape and saw fish, frogs, tadpoles and a Great Blue Heron on the way in. On the way out, we saw a Painted Turtle and witnessed a small Northern Water Snake eat a small fish near the shoreline.
It was a terrific day to hike and we made the most of it with a terrific hike!
| On Sunday, May 17th, Bill Flintoff, his daughter Ileana, Laura Rupp and I left New Jersey for a 680 mile trip to Slade, Kentucky, to explore the wonders of the Red River Gorge Geological Area within the Daniel Boone National Forest.We arrived late in the evening and were met by George Kunzel, who had driven from Memphis, TN, the same day. Shortly thereafter, the last arrivals appeared, Rich and Diane Lakata and their Golden Retriever, Ty, so we sat down to a tasty repast thanks to Laura and attempted to get a good night’s sleep to prepare us for the hikes ahead. | |
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Monday dawned bright and crisp (the weather on the entire trip could not have been nicer – sunny, dry and not too warm – perfect hiking weather), so we headed out for our first hike along the Auxier Ridge Trail to Courthouse Rock and Double Arch, a 6.49 mile hike. The scenery was spectacular! The second hike of the day was to Gray’s Arch, a 2.38 mile hike to a very impressive arch. The scale of these formations has to be seen. Tuesday morning we ventured out for our third hike, this time along the Whittleton Branch Trail, 4.39 miles out and back to an immense natural amphitheater-like rock formation. |
| Fourth and last hike Tuesday afternoon was to the 65-foot high and 78-foot span sandstone Natural Bridge within the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, a 3.19 mile loop. We took the Battleship Rock Trail going up and returned using the Rock Garden Trail.We witnessed great natural beauty and a little wildlife: a wild turkey, a black rat snake and a coyote.The long drive home was uneventful as we alternately slept and chatted about the natural splendor of the land we had just left and the memories that will stay with us forever. | |
| A special thanks to Bill Flintoff who managed to perform a near miracle. Despite last-minute changes and a hike site with a myriad of possibilities, Bill planned and executed an absolutely fabulous hiking adventure. The accommodations were warm and cozy, the trails were challenging and supremely beautiful with just the right degree of difficulty for a motley crew of hikers. I'm sure I speak for my fellow hikers when I say, "Thank you, Bill!" | |
On a bright and sunny April 24th, Bill Flintoff, Laura Rupp and I trekked the 8.28 mile Bearfort Ridge Trail in the Abram S. Hewitt State Forest, New Jersey.
It was a very long 8.28 miles as almost the entire hike was on very hard and unyielding rocks, very punishing on the knees as there was much up-and-down.
But, the weather and company could not have been nicer, so we had a great time with some of Nature's grander views.
On April 2nd, Laura Rupp and I went on a very nice walk through the Roaring Rock Park in Warren County, NJ.
Spring was just beginning to pop in Roaring Rock; skunk cabbage was everywhere.
I returned on the 19th and found more colorful wildflowers in bloom.
A very nice walk in a very nice park with a very lovely lady.
Actually, two lovely ladies – Mother Nature and Laura.
On March 20th, 2009, Laura Rupp and I walked the perimeter trail of Merrill Creek Reservoir in Washington Township, New Jersey.
It was very peaceful. While taking a moment in the Visitors Center, we stopped by the bird feeders next to the observation windows. First the birds were scared off by a marauding squirrel. Then the squirrel was scared off by a band of marauding deer, four or five of them. Perhaps one adult and the rest adolescents, they were partying and enjoying themselves with the bird seed and fresh water. As quickly as they appeared, the deer disappeared.
An unexpected close-up encounter with one of nature’s more loveable creatures.
On March 14th, 2009, Laura and I went south to the Franklin Parker Preserve of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation for a 9.81 mile walk through the former cranberry bogs that are now being returned to their natural boggy condition.
Our leader was Chris Jage, Assistant Director, South Jersey for NJCF, and he was friendly, helpful and very informative about the geology, flora, fauna and history of the area. He led us to appreciate the good works that NJCF is doing for New Jersey and how important the Franklin Parker Preserve is now and for the future.
This is a collection of images from hikes and walks too short or images too few to merit individual titles. The images, however, are nontheless beautiful.
All images are from 2009.
On October 7, 2008 evening, George Kunzel, Bill Flintoff and I met at a cabin near Abingdon, Virginia, for our most ambitious outing yet, hiking the highest peak in the state, Mount Rogers. |
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After noon, fog had permeated the trail everywhere, preventing us from seeing any views off the mountain or much of anything else, for that matter. Then, out of the fog, two unicorns slowly appeared. They were actually wild ponies, but their ethereal appearance was almost mythical. George had apples, which he and Bill shared with our new friends. As we resumed our hike, including the detour to the summit of Mt. Rogers, the rain began to pick up its enthusiasm as ours began to wane. But not our determination. The trails were perfectly marked during the trip up. After returning from the summit, we had to entirely rely on GPS mileage and written directions to guide our way with only the occasional (VERY occasional) trail marker to confirm our way. Not a blaze to be found anywhere. |
| We found our way back down, wet, bedraggled, cold and exhausted. We loved every minute of it. It was a very difficult hike for three (approaching-) senior citizens made more difficult by the decidedly inclement weather. Mud, slippery rocks along very steep downhill sections and freshly-fallen leaves hiding the unmarked trail presented a challenge. And we met the challenge. | |
October 2, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I hazarded a 9.87 mile canoe trip down the Delaware River from Bushkill, Pennsylvania to Smithfield Beach, Pennsylvania. All within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area joining New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The weather was brisk a 62º F with a breezy wind. No problem in a canoe unless in your face, which didn’t happen too often. We averaged 3.2 mph during the 3 hour and 2 minute actual canoeing time.
The trip was very peaceful, the water and paddlers mostly calm for the duration.
On September 3rd, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I attempted to find the Pinnacle in Hamburg, Pennsylvania (look at the November 13, 2007 PInnacle) and hike to the top.
And we did!
8.55 miles of real hiking rewarded with two spectacular views – Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle.
America the Beautiful!
Bright and early on Friday, July 11th, I took a nice stroll along the D&R Canal, camera in hand.
These are the results and the walk was a nice way to start the day.
On June 19th, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I embarked on a 6.08 mile hike along the Bombay Hook Trail within the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
The weather was 75º under a bright blue sky and low humidity.
The hike started slowly, then quickly escalated to a very steep climb, stone steps attenuating the difficulty somewhat.
There were impressive views along the way (and a somewhat cranky copperhead working on his tan in the middle of the trail).
Another terrific hike on a gorgeous day with a great friend. What’s better than this?
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On June 13 (Friday the 13th!), 2008, Bill Flintoff and I visited the Storm King Art Center in Mountainville, New York. We were under a spectacular blue sky, 85° F temperature and a cooling breeze. |
On June 1, 2008, Mike and Clare Kovacs, Hannah Snyder and I met at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for a 3.9 mile hike within the wilds of New Jersey.
The weather was perfect, the bugs and snakes memorable and the company the best there is.
A grand day out and about!
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On May 6, 2008, George Kunzel, a slightly hobbled Bill Flintoff and I visited the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at the Pepsico World Headquarter in Purchase, New York, under a spectacular Spring sky and 70° F temperature. |
On April 16, 2008, Bill Flintoff and I went on a 5.10 mile hike inside Harriman State Park.
Easy hike with few scenic overlooks, but many babbling brooks and rushing streams made a beautiful hike through a nicely forested park.
This is a collection of images from hikes and walks too short or images too few to merit individual titles. The images, however, are nontheless beautiful.
All images are from 2008.
On November 13, 2007, George Kunzel, Bill Flintoff and I attempted to climb the Pinnacle in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
But, we missed the first turn to the trail. So after some very nice hiking (actually in the mountains), we wound up exploring the picturesque roads of Pennsylvania.
The weather was perfect, but the light was failing as we finally made it back to the parking lot after 10.73 miles.
Oh, yes. On the drive home, I missed the turn onto the highway, so we went an extra five miles or so before we actually headed home.
Not a good day for three would-be explorers. We did have fun and laugh a lot, though.
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June 13, 2007, George Kunzel, Bill Flintoff and I started the climb to the peak of Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky National Park outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee. |
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We arrived at the top and stayed at the Mount LeConte Lodge for the night. The accommodations were spare, but more than enough for tired hikers. The dinner and breakfast were delicious and generous. And the people we met during the meals were garrulous and eager to share their experiences with us. The trip down the next day was uneventful, again. The trip home, however, was eventful. The water pump on the Camry decided it had had enough traveling and wanted to stay in Tennessee. The engine didn’t like this idea and got very hot and bothered. One tow truck to Greenville, TN, and eight hours later, we were on our way home again. The ten hours home in the wee hours were uneventful again. |
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On June 3, 2007, Mike and Clare Kovacs, Bill Flintoff and I met at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for a short (3.90 miles) hike on the Sunfish Pond Trail within Worthington State Forest.
Short and fun, but beautiful as usual as the foliage was green and very lush at this time.
And hiking with old friends is the best experience there is!
On May 6, 2006, George Kunzel, Bill Flintoff and I climbed Snowy Mountain in Indian River, New York.
By the time we got to the top of the mountain, it had started to snow and freezing rain, so we saw nothing but fog.
The view was terrific going up (and cold and slippery going down), a worthwhile first effort at “mountain” hiking.
On November 12, 2005, Bill Flintoff, John Rupp and I took a walk along the South Branch of the Raritan River on a crisp, clear, fall afternoon at the Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area in Lebanon Township, NJ.
John passed away fewer than three months after this walk. John was a man of large talent and small ego, rather than the more usual reverse. His creativity was boundless, his poetry evocative and his wit unending (about a company he worked for - "We may be small, but we're poorly run").
John, you may have left us, but you enriched our lives with your words and deeds.
On June 30th, 2002, my girlfriend and I were at Watkins Glen International racetrack with the Porsche Club of America to enjoy three days of driving at speed at one of the finest racetracks in the world (and my favorite). However, a transmission malfunction ended my time on the track after the second day. We now had a free day to visit the Glen from which the track and city were named.
“Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade.”
A walk through the Glen is other-worldly and a unique experience. And a beautiful one, too.