Friday, June 14, 2013
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail-25 April 2013
This trail follows along the New Jersey coast from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to Perth Amboy ( close to New York city). In all the trail encompasses nearly 300 miles of the Atlantic coast line. There a number of places to explore, but on this occasion I visited the southern end of the trail Fort Mott located a few miles from the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Fort Mott is now a state park and on my visit the visitor center had sustained some water damage from hurricane Sandy.
Sterling Hill Mine- April 2013
I started a new hobby in March of 2013, collecting rocks that glow under a UV light. These rocks are known as fluorescent. Different minerals make the rock glow different colors. One of the most famous locations in the world you can find these rocks is in the Franklin area of New Jersey. So now I combine my visit to National Parks while looking to rocks that glow. I spent five days in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York area visiting National Parks and two days at the Sterling Hill mine in NJ looking for nice rocks that glow.
Here is a couple of examples of the glow in the dark rocks I was looking for:
Before and after the UV light has been applied;
There as many colors to these rocks and there are minerals. Not all minerals make a rock glow, but some of these rocks glow with as many colors as a rainbow can produce.
Here is a couple of examples of the glow in the dark rocks I was looking for:
Before and after the UV light has been applied;
Thomas Stone House- 8 Feb 2013
Thomas Stone National Historic Site was a repeat visit for me, actually this is the third time. I was on the hunt for a new Passport stamp, Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, that had recently been added to the site.
Thomas Stone's named his plantation Haberdeventure, aka "Dwelling place of the winds", which supported 25 to 30 people on 1077 acres. Mr. Stone was lawyer, planter and local political figure in Port Tobacco, Maryland. Mr. Stone most famous act was signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. His home remained in the family until 1930's when it became part of the National Parks system.
Today you can take a leisurely walk around the grounds in a quiet setting and reminisce about life in the late 1700's. The surroundings are peaceful and well worth stopping by for a visit.
Thomas Stone's named his plantation Haberdeventure, aka "Dwelling place of the winds", which supported 25 to 30 people on 1077 acres. Mr. Stone was lawyer, planter and local political figure in Port Tobacco, Maryland. Mr. Stone most famous act was signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. His home remained in the family until 1930's when it became part of the National Parks system.
Today you can take a leisurely walk around the grounds in a quiet setting and reminisce about life in the late 1700's. The surroundings are peaceful and well worth stopping by for a visit.
Cape Lookout National Seashore- 4 Feb 2013
Following a night of rest at a local Holiday Inn Express, we were up bright and early for our next adventure, Cape Lookout NS. Our travels took us to parts of North Carolina we have not seen before. Not much too see, but it was nice to be on the road. Before we arrived at Cape Lookout we stopped along the North River about 30 minutes or so from our destination. I do not recall why we stopped here other than Sandee wanted to take a look. It was a bit chilly, and the with the wind blowing a bit off the water it was even more so. Sandee found a haven for sea glass. So I got out for the warm truck and helped pick out some nice pieces. Our collection for sea glass increased by leaps and bounds at this stop.
By the time we arrived at the Cape Lookout visitor center (VC) the sun was out and it was warm. Not much to see at the VC, the main attraction is out on the Core Banks. As there were no charter boats running to that area this time of year our visit was confined to the VC and the walking trail behind the VC. We took a nice stroll behind the VC and made our way to the Water Foul Museum. If you like birds, as we do, then this is must stop for you. We made a quick tour of the museum, lots of examples of locally carved birds and complete history of the locals who live on and around Harkers Island.
By this time our belly's were wanting to be fed. So we stopped at the only place on the island open this time of year. Had a great burger, fries and desert. While waiting to our meal we spied a few locally hand made birds carved from cedar. As we like to collect birds from local artist on our trips this seemed a good time to check them out. Both pieces were very nice, not those fancy high dollar type pieces but very nicely done. So we walked away with a full belly, a carved duck and a three foot crane standing on a piece of drift wood.
A few days after we made it home I received a letter in the mail from the artist, we paid by check so he had our address and phone number. He thanked us for buying the pieces and hoped I would call some day. I forgot to call him, but a few days later he called me. We got to talking, he is a retired postal worker and spent some time in the Marine Corps. We talked about the military and Cape Lookout and by the time we had finished talking he invited us back to Cape Lookout so he can take us on a person tour of the islands. He said we can park our RV on his property and maybe we could do some fishing and have a cookout.
This is way I love the National Parks so much. This is not the first time we have met great folks on the road and at parks. We are planning a trip back to take him back up on his offer.
By the time we arrived at the Cape Lookout visitor center (VC) the sun was out and it was warm. Not much to see at the VC, the main attraction is out on the Core Banks. As there were no charter boats running to that area this time of year our visit was confined to the VC and the walking trail behind the VC. We took a nice stroll behind the VC and made our way to the Water Foul Museum. If you like birds, as we do, then this is must stop for you. We made a quick tour of the museum, lots of examples of locally carved birds and complete history of the locals who live on and around Harkers Island.
By this time our belly's were wanting to be fed. So we stopped at the only place on the island open this time of year. Had a great burger, fries and desert. While waiting to our meal we spied a few locally hand made birds carved from cedar. As we like to collect birds from local artist on our trips this seemed a good time to check them out. Both pieces were very nice, not those fancy high dollar type pieces but very nicely done. So we walked away with a full belly, a carved duck and a three foot crane standing on a piece of drift wood.
A few days after we made it home I received a letter in the mail from the artist, we paid by check so he had our address and phone number. He thanked us for buying the pieces and hoped I would call some day. I forgot to call him, but a few days later he called me. We got to talking, he is a retired postal worker and spent some time in the Marine Corps. We talked about the military and Cape Lookout and by the time we had finished talking he invited us back to Cape Lookout so he can take us on a person tour of the islands. He said we can park our RV on his property and maybe we could do some fishing and have a cookout.
This is way I love the National Parks so much. This is not the first time we have met great folks on the road and at parks. We are planning a trip back to take him back up on his offer.
Fort Fisher & Aquarium NC- 3 Feb 2013
We were so close to Fort Fisher in North Carolina after our visit to Moores Creek NB we pointed the ole truck in that direction. Our belly's were starting to scream at us so once we made it to Carolina Beach we pulled over to grab a bite to eat at an Irish Pub. Since it has been a few months since our visit and I did not document the name and location it will be hard to figure out where it was we did eat. The only thing I have to say is it was GREAT. Had an home made Irish Stew and Guinness nothing beats this sort of meal.
After a late lunch we found Fort Fisher a Civil War battle site. To our disappointment the visitor center was closed on the weekends. When I reviewed the website I was sure it was open the day of our visit but upon a review I think I need to get new glasses or something and the website did say it was closed on the day we visited.
No problem, there is always something to see so we cast out eyes about, walked around the beach for sea glass and anything else that looked exciting to add to our collection of goodies. Sandee added to her every growing collection of sand samples. We saw a sign for the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher so we drove the mile or so to the site. Looked pretty nice from the outside, we had time so we bought our ticket and strolled on through the doors. As with most aquariums there are your standard fish to watch going around in circles, all pretty nice. In fact I thought it was better than our local aquarium here in Virginia Beach, VA. But two items made it sort of stand out, the live albino alligator and the massive replica dinosaur shark jaw. We hung out for a long time taking to the volunteers around the alligator, took some pictures and then took Sandee's picture behind the shark's jaw. Sort of a fun thing to do, looks like she is in the jaw of the shark.
Unfortunately all my pictures from this adventure have been lost when I was transferring them from my old computer to my new one. I think my son might be able to retrieve them from the depths of the computer void, but it will have to wait until he visits. I do have a couple of pic's from Fort Fisher and Sandee on the beach
though.
After a late lunch we found Fort Fisher a Civil War battle site. To our disappointment the visitor center was closed on the weekends. When I reviewed the website I was sure it was open the day of our visit but upon a review I think I need to get new glasses or something and the website did say it was closed on the day we visited.
No problem, there is always something to see so we cast out eyes about, walked around the beach for sea glass and anything else that looked exciting to add to our collection of goodies. Sandee added to her every growing collection of sand samples. We saw a sign for the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher so we drove the mile or so to the site. Looked pretty nice from the outside, we had time so we bought our ticket and strolled on through the doors. As with most aquariums there are your standard fish to watch going around in circles, all pretty nice. In fact I thought it was better than our local aquarium here in Virginia Beach, VA. But two items made it sort of stand out, the live albino alligator and the massive replica dinosaur shark jaw. We hung out for a long time taking to the volunteers around the alligator, took some pictures and then took Sandee's picture behind the shark's jaw. Sort of a fun thing to do, looks like she is in the jaw of the shark.
Unfortunately all my pictures from this adventure have been lost when I was transferring them from my old computer to my new one. I think my son might be able to retrieve them from the depths of the computer void, but it will have to wait until he visits. I do have a couple of pic's from Fort Fisher and Sandee on the beach
Moores Creek NB- 3 Feb 2013
After our visit to Charlotte, NC we decided to venture on over to Moores Creek National Battlefield, site of the American Revolution's first victory during the long struggle for independence. On one side of the battle there were the Loyalist, dominated by the local Scottish Highlanders who owed the allegiance to the British crown who faced off with 1000 Patriot North Carolinians at Moores Creek Bridge. The Patriots had removed the planks from the bridge and even greased up the bridge supports to deter the Loyalist. However, the Scottish Broadsword wielding Loyalist pushed ahead. On 27 February 1776, Patriot and Loyalist forces clashed.
Loyalist information said the Patriots were small in number and could easily taken. What they found instead was a Patriot force of 1000 strong, heavily armed and ready for the Loyalist. When the smoke cleared, the 30 to 70 Loyalist lay dead or dying and now leaderless, the Loyalist quickly surrendered or ran in confusion.
While the site is not very large, it does have a very nice walking trail around the battlefield. The trails are easily walked and take you over the ground covered by those at the battle. You walk over a reconstruction of Moores Creek Bridge and around many monuments dedicated to those at the battle.
Be sure to watch the film at the visitor center before your walking tour.
Loyalist information said the Patriots were small in number and could easily taken. What they found instead was a Patriot force of 1000 strong, heavily armed and ready for the Loyalist. When the smoke cleared, the 30 to 70 Loyalist lay dead or dying and now leaderless, the Loyalist quickly surrendered or ran in confusion.
While the site is not very large, it does have a very nice walking trail around the battlefield. The trails are easily walked and take you over the ground covered by those at the battle. You walk over a reconstruction of Moores Creek Bridge and around many monuments dedicated to those at the battle.
Be sure to watch the film at the visitor center before your walking tour.
Alamance Battle Reed Gold Mine- 28 Jan 2013
In January 2013 we took a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit my son and his girlfriend. North Carolina has some very interesting state historical sites so we took some time to visit three such sites.
First up was Alamance Battleground, site of the War of Regulation. By 1768 there were a number of minor clashes between the common folks and government over excessive taxes, dishonest sheriffs, and illegal fees that by the spring of 1768 an association of "Regulators" was formed. These men tried to solve these problems mainly by peaceful meetings and the issue of political pamphlets. However, by 1771 after their voices went unheard and peaceful negotiations unresolved, citizens took decisive action by means of violent protests and physical action which incented the Royal Governor, William Tryon. The matter came to a head on 16 May, 1771 when forces from both sides met at Alamance. The battle resulted 9 dead and 61 wounded on the loyal forces and untold number of the Regulators being killed and wounded, both historians say their numbers were much high. Some historians conclude that the grievances that led to this battle are the same that cause the American Revolution. A very site, small visitor center and film explains the causes and outcome of the historical site.
Second site was closer to Charlotte, The Reed Gold Mine. The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States when John Reed found gold here in 1799 by his son. The yellow rock he found weighed in over 17 pounds and for three years it was used as the family's door stop. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California. One can still pan for gold here for a small fee in the summer starting in April until October. You can explore the underground mines, smelting house and various other activities.
Once you have dug for your gold you can visit the local winery for some wine tasting located a mile from the mine.
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First up was Alamance Battleground, site of the War of Regulation. By 1768 there were a number of minor clashes between the common folks and government over excessive taxes, dishonest sheriffs, and illegal fees that by the spring of 1768 an association of "Regulators" was formed. These men tried to solve these problems mainly by peaceful meetings and the issue of political pamphlets. However, by 1771 after their voices went unheard and peaceful negotiations unresolved, citizens took decisive action by means of violent protests and physical action which incented the Royal Governor, William Tryon. The matter came to a head on 16 May, 1771 when forces from both sides met at Alamance. The battle resulted 9 dead and 61 wounded on the loyal forces and untold number of the Regulators being killed and wounded, both historians say their numbers were much high. Some historians conclude that the grievances that led to this battle are the same that cause the American Revolution. A very site, small visitor center and film explains the causes and outcome of the historical site.
Second site was closer to Charlotte, The Reed Gold Mine. The Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States when John Reed found gold here in 1799 by his son. The yellow rock he found weighed in over 17 pounds and for three years it was used as the family's door stop. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California. One can still pan for gold here for a small fee in the summer starting in April until October. You can explore the underground mines, smelting house and various other activities.
Once you have dug for your gold you can visit the local winery for some wine tasting located a mile from the mine.
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