The Long Path, New Jersey

Rockefeller Lookout to State Park Headquarters...5 miles one way....
Use NY-NJ Trail Conference Map #108: Hudson Palisades Trail
This trek is not the most exciting but it does feature three amazing viewpoints. I started out by parking in the Rockefeller Lookout turnoff on the Palisades Parkway in Englewood New Jersey. The aqua blazes head north and continue through wetlands, grassy knolls and rocky terrain. Be sure to stop at the lookouts along the way which afford you views of the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge and the beautiful Bronx. There were many deer sleeping in the grassy areas along the way. End at the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police headquarters where they are informative brochures (I've noticed that hikers love free brochures!) and of course, bathrooms. On the way back I opted to take the white blazed shore trail, which is truly beautiful to the red blazed Huyler's Landing Trail which brings you up back up to the Long Path approximately .5 miles north of the Greenwood Sanctuary. I did discover one particular thing on this hike: I run faster from strange looking men holding rocks in their hands then snakes........Remember to always be cautious and aware of your surroundings when hiking alone.

The Dunderberg Spiral Railroad/1777 Trail

Consult the NY-NJ Trail Conference map #119 for this trek. What a beautiful day for hiking! My companion and I decided to celebrate my 41st birthday with a hike. I've trekked this trail before, but I wanted to show Desiree the very cool and very unfinished Dunderberg Spiral Railroad. We began on the Blue Blazed Trail off the Hiker's Turnoff Parking on Route 9W North, just past the Anchor Monument. The railway was the brainchild of Henry J. Mumford, an entrepreneur from Pennsylvania. When Mumford discovered beautiful Dunderberg Mountain and it's tremendous views of the Hudson River in 1870, he decided to build a scenic railway. Work on the railway began in 1890. One of the first parts of the railway that was actually completed is the lower tunnel. Unfortunately, after a recession and a one million dollar loss, work ended on the railway in 1891. But not without a riot by the workers who had worked so hard to blast rocks out of the mountain to lay down train tracks. We proceeded up to the first tunnel and stopped to take some pictures and a rest. Be sure to notice the exquisite stone work on the tunnel. We continued up the blue trail and came upon a second unfinished tunnel. It is literally a large tunnel in the mountainside. Continue past that to three spectacular lookouts on top of the mountain. I'll admit, the view is better in the winter, but we did spot some beautiful hawks up top. Now the fun part, as I was happily turning a corner on the trail, I narrowly missed stepping on a seven foot long black rat snake who was in the middle of the trail. After much hysteria on my part, my companion ran past the snake and we continued on until we hit the 1777 Trail. This was a pleasant trail since it led us downhill after much uphill hiking. We encountered some bullfrogs and a very pretty Eastern Box Turtle on the way down. I highly recommend this hike; there is a lot to explore and the views of the Hudson River are amazing.

Zugibe All Stars v. M.R.I.-Orangetown Recreational Softball

Game 3 of the season and victory was ours in the first match up between the All Stars and M.R.I......The Zugibe All Stars won our first game of the season by playing strong offensively and defensively. The first inning looked bleak....M.R.I. displayed excellent defensive fielding and their pitching was strong, if not strange. It didn't take long for the All Stars bats to catch fire and we tied it up in the fifth. A special shout out to this game's M.V.P., Michelle. We witnessed some stellar offensive playing from Michelle, who went four for four. Special kudos to Dave who pitched a superb game and to Drew for spectacular fielding. Although no one will forget nor forgive the bases loaded strike out by Dunlap, the All Stars scored in the bottom of the sixth and prevailed with the final score 11-9.

Is Blood Thicker Than Water?

So tonight starts the beginning of a new chapter in my life. The search for my biological parents has ended, after 41 years. Tonight, I am boarding a plane, bound for another state, to meet my biological mother and brother for the first time. I consider myself very lucky. As an adoptee, I have heard many the horror stories of biological parents rejecting their own flesh and blood...."I gave you up for a reason, so leave me alone..."

I have mixed feelings about the whole adoption situation. I understand adoption. I understand why individuals relinquish their parental rights. But, I do respect the right to privacy of biological parents. I would have never, and I mean, never, intruded upon either of my biological parents. And honestly, if they rejected me, I would have understood and left them alone. If anyone bothers to read this blog, you may be wondering what I am feeling at this moment. I am extremely calm, but I'm sure when the plane touches down, I'll be feeling all sorts of feelings I have never felt before. I'll keep you posted....

Orangetown Recreational Softball-Zugibe All Stars v. the Lazy Spartans-Game 3

It was a pleasant night for softball as the Zugibe All-Stars sought their first win of the season. Sadly, the Lazy Spartans won the game 14-11. Highlights of the game: Waters Mind Boggling Home Run....stellar defense at third base by Kristen.....and all around superb offense from the All Stars...

Lost and Found.....Treason Rock, Haverstraw, New York

When I used to have a hiking partner, we would often set out on the trail to find a particular thing or place, and nine out of ten times we would not be able to find what we were hiking too. So, after hiking a small part of the Long Path, I decided to find one of those "lost" places.....Treason Rock, Haverstraw, New York.

I parked on the side of Route 9w North, Haverstraw, New York, directly across from the entrance to the Tilcon Quarry. I jumped on the Long Path for approximately 1/4 mile and then joined an unnamed white blazed trail.
I followed the white blazed trail downward for about 1/4 mile and joined a paved road. The paved road is the Haverstraw-Nyack Bike Trail. It begins in Haverstraw and ends at Nyack Beach State Park in Nyack. The Bike Trail parallels the Hudson River and is quite nice. I headed North to find Treason Rock. Treason Rock is quite a famous site. During the American Revolution, Rockland County, NY, played a major role in not only some decisive battles, but intrigue as well. In 1780, Major John Andre and Benedict Arnold, yes, the most famous traitor since Judas, met in the woods of Haverstraw to plot the surrender of West Point. Luckily, their plot failed, Benedict Arnold joined the British and Major Andre was captured, tried and hung in Tappan, New York for being a traitor. A commemorative plaque marks the spot where this occurred. So, luckily, I found Treason Rock......enjoy this hike and make sure to take one of the side trails to the Hudson River...

The Bear Mountain State Park Trailside Museum and Zoo

My companion and I spent a pleasant day at Bear Mountain State Park, located off of Route 9W or the Palisades Parkway in New York. Bear Mountain hosts a bunch of activities for both the young and old. You can rent a paddle boat and paddle around Hessian Lake. You could take the kids on a vintage Merry Go Round ride, go swimming in the pool, or just sunbathe on the immense lawn. The best part of Bear Mountain is the Trailside Museum and Zoo. All of this for a parking fee of $7.00. The second best part is that the Appalachian Trail leads you into and around the Zoo. At the beginning of the zoo, you are met by a statute of Walt Whitman, famous poet and writer, best known for "Leaves of Green." The zoo hosts a bunch of animals that have been either injured by motor vehicle accidents or shooting accidents. There is a American Bald Eagle, Owls, Otters, Beavers, a bobcat, snakes, turtles, white tailed deer, and a red fox. But don't forget to spend awhile at the bear den. The day we went there were three bears. The bears were basking in the sun, playing under the sprinklers and taking baths in a wading pool. The American Black Bear is indigenous to the Northeast. Trust me, the kiddies will love this small zoo. There are many interactive kiddie friendly displays. Also don't forget to take advantage of the many lookout areas: the views of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge are amazing. The Appalachian trail follows the paths for approximately one mile. There are many other trails leading from Bear Mountain, including the Major Welch Trail. So, my advice is: pack a picnic basket and enjoy your day at Bear Mountain.