Wells Mills County Park

     Tuesday, January 3, 2023: Later, after seeing the Popcorn Park Zoo, and being in the mood for nature and seeing more of the New Jersey Pinelands, I went to Ocean County’s largest park: Wells Mills County Park, 905 Wells Mills Road, Waretown (609-971-3085). At over 900 acres, this park contained over 20 miles of hiking trails. Other activities offered here included boating and fishing, as well as a picnic area and playground near the nature center. This nature center educated me better about the local wildlife nearby via texts, pictures, and taxidermy animal exhibits. Videos in this center presented a history of Wells Mills and its past lumber industry that used to thrive here by way of two saw mills. The local Atlantic White Cedar wood has been prized by many people for constructing buildings, boats, fences, and so forth because it was lightweight and rot resistant. From the 1700s to the late 1970s, different people owned the land. Then, the NJ Conservation Foundation bought 200 acres of this land. Since then, the county bought more land that increased the park size. In another room, I watched another video about the industries in the NJ Pinelands from the 18th century into the early years of the 20th century: ironworks, glassworks, saw mills, clay mining, cranberry farming, blueberry farming, etc. Therefore, between being informed about the nature around here and the history of this area, I learned a lot!    

Popcorn Park Zoo

      Tuesday, January 3, 2023: Because the weather in January was mild in New Jersey, I decided to look at animals in Ocean County at the Popcorn Park Zoo, Humane Way at Lacy Road, Forked River (609-693-1900). (The “Popcorn” in the name refers to the popcorn that some of the animals receive as a treat.) When I arrived, the first thing I noticed were several peacocks and peahens, both the colorful breed and the white breed, and they had the run of this place. Different humane societies operate this zoo, and there has also been an animal adoption center here as well. Unlike other zoos, Popcorn Park Zoo only took in rescue animals. The exotic and wild animals could not survive by themselves in the wilderness, and some of these animals had been abandoned or abused by their former owners. On seven acres in the NJ Pinelands, this zoo included three kinds of animals: exotic animal species that originated from other parts of the world, wild animals native to this area, and farm animals. In a setting of mostly double chain-link fences, I found it interesting to think that those fences were the only barrier between me and many of those animals! First I entered the reptile house where I saw a boa constrictor, two alligators, and an iguana. A nearby aviary displayed some cockatoos and parrots, and the rest of the exotic animals consisted of monkeys, baboons, and lions, as well as tigers, llamas, tortoises, etc. Much of the indigenous wildlife on exhibit included turtles, hawks, owls, bears, bobcats, cougars, deer, squirrels, and others wild species. This zoo also presented the following farm animals: pigs, horses, donkeys, ponies, goats, sheep, cows, chickens, pigeons, and so on. All in all, I spent a few hours here learning about the history of some of these animals who are currently being taken care of in this pineland setting. I definitely recommend a visit to this zoo.     

          

Tuckerton Seaport

      Friday, December 30, 2022: After visiting the New Jersey Maritime Museum in Beach Haven, I headed toward another nautical attraction in Ocean County: Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton (609-296-8868). During the 1960s and ‘70s, my family and I used to go fishing and crabbing along the inlets near the bay in Tuckerton. Years later, this museum & reproduced seaport opened in the early years of the 21st century. The date above had been the first time I’ve been in this area for years. Therefore, the first place I headed to was the lighthouse in this mock seaport village. Inside, the ground floor displayed exhibit areas by way of texts, pictures, and exhibit items covering such subjects as the Lenni-Lenape Native-Americans, movers & shakers from Tuckerton’s past, local industries from the past, and so forth. On the upper floor, the staff presented temporary exhibit themes. When I was there I saw Christmas trees and other holiday decorations dating back through the 20th century. As for the village itself, I walked along a boardwalk surrounding a creek, and this boardwalk included entering different small buildings that presented the businesses one would have found in a typical seaport village. In each of them, texts, pictures, and historic items gave more details of each place: fishery, hotel, and surfing, as well as hunting, livestock—with live goats and sheep nearby, decoy carving, oystering, clamming, a folk life center, etc. I found it a fascinating place!      

NJ Maritime Museum

     Friday, December 30, 2022: In a nautical mood, I traveled to Ocean County, New Jersey and visited the NJ Maritime Museum, 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven on Long Beach Island (609-492-0202). Upon entering, I thought that this museum would contain a few exhibit areas, but I was wrong! A friendly guide told me that on two floors, there were several exhibit areas showing items from floor to ceiling. Therefore, by way of texts, pictures, videos, and many exhibit items, I learned quite a bit about NJ’s role near the sea, on the sea, and under the sea. Many of the stuff on display were things recovered from shipwrecks, uniforms worn by navy, coastguard, and United States Life Saving Service personnel, as well as deep sea diving outfits, equipment used on ships, lighthouse objects including a Fresnel lens, examples of animal life in and near the sea, and much more. In an area about shipwrecks, the museum had a room detailing what happened before, during, and after the 1934 fire onboard the Morro Castle.  I also looked at plenty of boat and ship models as well as an area about fishing, especially a Women’s Surf Fishing Club exhibit, and photos of NJ storms. If I had stopped to read and study everything, I would have to have made a return visit or more. As it was, I spent a few hours here at this “must see” attraction that has been opened year round.  

Cattus Island

      Monday, December 19, 2022: I was at a New Jersey state park earlier in the day, but later, I arrived at an Ocean County, NJ park: Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River (732-270-6960). Back in 1895, John Cattus bought this island and used it for a vacation home. Years later, it became part of the Ocean County Parks & Recreation system. The first thing I did was enter the Cooper Environmental Center where I learned more about the local natural history of the area. By way of texts, pictures, and different kinds of exhibits, I saw live animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and fish as well as other animals represented in carvings and taxidermy. I also noticed some interactive exhibits for children. Other activities at this park included eight hiking trails where the three ecosystems included a forest area, a salt marsh, and the natural area of Barnegat Bay! Near the Environmental Center was a picnic area, playground, bird observation blinds, a boat launch, and a butterfly garden. The Center also had a room for temporary exhibits. When I was there, I glanced at several gingerbread houses, and the surrounding area displayed holiday decorations. Overall, this whole day was a good introduction to what creatures and plants lived in this area. 

Double Trouble

      Monday, December 19, 2022: Because it was a bright sunny day, I decided to travel to Ocean County, New Jersey, and visit the following place: Double Trouble State Park, 581 Pinewald-Keswick Road, Bayville (609-726-1191). Despite the name, this place was once a thriving company town. As far back as the 1700s, there once was a lumber industry here until early in the 20th century. Another industry that gave fame to this place was the growing of cranberries, starting in the 1860s. The town reached its peak in the early 1900s. As for the name “Double Trouble,” there have been stories about the town’s earthen dam breaking twice in one year. By 1964, the State of NJ bought the property, but by then cranberry profits had decreased. Nowadays, some of the mostly early 20th-century buildings have been standing in this former village: the cranberry packing house, the supervisor’s home, the company store, and so forth. When I was there, the only building opened was the information center that provided brochures and men’s & ladies’ rooms. Meanwhile, signs around the area explained, via texts and pictures, the history of the area, and other signs covered more about the natural life nearby, both flora and fauna. For a closer look at the natural life, this park offered six trails located over service roads toward the former cranberry bogs that nature has been reclaiming. Anyway, I learned more about how life was lived here in the past and in the present!      

Seaside Heights

      Tuesday, December 13, 2022: After visiting Island Beach State Park, I next headed north toward a place in Ocean County, New Jersey, that my parents used to take me to in the 1960s and ‘70s: Seaside Heights (732-793-9100). Of course, back then, we visited during a summer day that included the crowds, but everything along the boardwalk was opened: the arcades, the carnival games, and the amusements, as well as the stores, the eating places, and the beach. This time around, however, I had a different experience because it was off season. It felt strange seeing the mostly closed businesses. Anyway, because there were no crowds, it felt more relaxing. I saw a few people here and there, including some men in wetsuits with surfboards, and a few places were opened such as the arcade section of Casino Pier, 800 Ocean Terrace (732-793-6488), where I played a few computerized games. In addition, I also noticed that some stores were opened, and I ate a great slice of pizza at another place opened year round: JR’s Ocean Bar & Grill, 601 Boardwalk (732-793-0800). Here, I encountered a friendly staff as I enjoyed my pizza and soda. The pizza slice was very large and not greasy! Another bonus for being at Seaside Heights this time of year was seeing it decorated for the holidays.    

Island Beach State Park

      Tuesday, December 13, 2022: I took another day trip within Ocean County, New Jersey. This time I spent part of the day at Island Beach State Park, 2401 Central Avenue, Seaside Park (732-793-0506). Many years ago, I visited here, but I only went during the summer and stayed in the swimming area. This time it was off season, and because of that, I didn’t have to pay any admission. Meanwhile in the swimming area, where I picnicked, it seemed as though I had this white sand beach to myself! In addition to the swimming area, I also saw more places at this state park than I had ever seen on my last visit, including the many dunes with its flora & fauna—especially birds. (I read that there are many foxes on this island, but I didn’t see any.) My favorite stop at the nature center proved educational and enlightening. Although the inside of the center was closed for the season, I did look at some outside exhibits and several signs displaying pictures & texts about the nearby animal life, both on land and in the ocean, and more about the plant life around here. Overall, for this time of year, it proved to be a relaxing place to spend a few hours.      

Jackson Premium Outlets

     Wednesday, December 7, 2022: After doing a bit of shopping in New Egypt, I later visited another shopping area in Ocean County, New Jersey: Jackson Premium Outlets, 537 Monmouth Road, Jackson (732-833-0503). Unlike the market at New Egypt, the founders of this outlet shopping center had it built from scratch in a late-1800s-looking exterior. The insides of these buildings contained many brand-name outlet stores offering “bargains.” (Please keep in mind that most of those clothes may have a brand-name label, but most likely, they were made in a different factory from the same brands sold in department stores. Therefore, a dress that might cost over $100 in a department store was made in a factory using good materials and good workmanship. Meanwhile, at quick glance, the similar-looking outlet dress for about $10 was made in another factory of cheaper materials, and the workmanship will not be as good. Nevertheless, if you keep this in mind, you can find bargains—just as long as you know what you are bringing home!) Most of the stores sold clothing, but I did see a few shoe stores, accessory stores, jewelry stores, furniture stores, snack food stores, and so on. (As far as I knew, I didn’t see much of a difference in the outlet version of these other stores, especially in the snack foods and accessories.) If you are in the area, it is worth a stop.    

New Egypt

      Wednesday, December 7, 2022: In a quest to do some sightseeing on the date above, I also did some shopping and browsing in Ocean County, New Jersey. The first place I visited was the New Egypt Flea Market Village, 933 Monmouth Road, New Egypt (609-758-2082). Unlike other flea markets, this place contained a “village” of small buildings once located in other parts of NJ. The latest buildings, from the 1970s, had once been barracks from Fort Dix. Nowadays, around 40 plus vendors painted and decorated these buildings in different ways and colors! Even if you didn’t buy too much, just walking around here and looking at the buildings was interesting enough, but looking inside, browsing, and sometimes buying the merchandise added to the enjoyment. In addition, on warmer days, many vendors also displayed their goods for sale on outside tables in front of the buildings. The stuff for sale included books, antiques, and collectibles, as well as furniture, household goods, toys, clothing, accessories, jewelry, hardware, etc. Meanwhile, the quality of the items being sold ranged from valuable to pure junk—and much in between. This market operated on Wednesdays and Sundays—rain or shine. Chances are that if you visit this place, you will come away buying something.    

Jenkinson's Aquarium

      Friday, December 2, 2022: After walking through part of the campus of Georgian Court University, I headed toward Point Pleasant Beach in Ocean County, New Jersey to see the sea or what has been in or near the sea: Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach (732-899-1212). This mid-sized aquarium contained two floors of exhibit areas via water tanks, other animal enclosures, and marine animal exhibit items, as well as videos, pictures, and texts. Among the animals presented, I saw seals, sharks, and many different kinds of fish. Other areas displayed monkeys, parrots, and an area showing the flora & fauna of the NJ Pinelands—and that was just the upper floor. On the ground floor, the aquarium exhibited jellyfish, stingrays, fish from off the NJ Coast, as well as a coral reef, a Pacific habitat, turtles, penguins, and other creatures: fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals who either live in or near or near both salt- and fresh-waterways or both. Whew! Because I was there in the off season and near the holidays, there was plenty of parking nearby, and I also saw the aquarium decorated for the Christmas season. No matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to have an educated and entertaining few hours here.       

Georgian Court University

      Friday, December 2, 2022: Ocean County, New Jersey was another county that I decided to visit for 2022/’23, and the first place I went to became a brief stop to see the Italian Garden at the Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum on the campus of Georgian Court University, 400 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood (732-987-2373). Upon arriving, we had to present an ID at the gatehouse, and the guard gave us a campus map. Anyway, of the four main gardens: Italian, Formal, Sunken, and Japanese, only the Italian Garden was opened to the public that day. In addition to the main gardens, this campus also had several smaller gardens. Nevertheless, even during the off season, the Italian Garden looked impressive along with the rest of the landscaping at this university campus. Here, I saw some conifer trees along with Roman-styled statues, urns, and fountains, as well as benches, an eagle/dragon statue, and the Apollo Fountain. It made for an interesting brief walk! A nearby welcome center provided mens & ladies rooms, and on certain days, tours of the campus started from here. 

DDTSII02

THE STATE I’M IN is a yearly column about my once-a-month New Jersey trips.

 ⤓ Issue #2:
1. GOLDEN NUGGET ANTIQUE MARKET-around 60 indoor dealers and nearly 200 outdoor dealers sell their merchandise of antiques, collectables, and other items just south of Lambertville.
2. FORD MANSION-learn more about how the Ford family, George and Martha Washington, and Washington’s officers endured one of the worst winters during the American Revolution in Morristown.
3. WALT WHITMAN HOUSE-how the author of Leaves of Grass spent his final days in Camden.
4. RED MILL MUSEUM VILLAGE-find out how this mill operated from 1810 to 1928, and learn about the lives of the people who lived in the adjoining village in Clinton during that time.
5. MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM-view Native-American art and American art from the 18th century to the present in this mid-sized museum.
6. HURRICANE HARBOR-this water park is the third park to open in this theme-park complex in Jackson.
7. BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK-observe the views from the top of the lighthouse, fish nearby, or just enjoy the local flora and fauna on this northern tip of Long Beach Island.
8. LEAMING’S RUN GARDENS-walk through colorful gardens and woodland trails, and see an early 18th-century farm in Cape May County.
9. CAPE MAY COUNTY ZOO-along winding woodland trails, meet the other creatures who share this planet with us.
10. APPALACHIAN HOTEL-whether you want a quiet weekend in the mountains, or take part in winter sports, this hotel in Mountain Creek will cater to both kinds of persons.
11. HARMON COVE OUTLET CENTER-you can save from 10% to over 60% in merchandise at this largest enclosed-outlet mall in Secaucus.
12. BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY-learn about life onboard this ship, now docked in Camden, which saw action in World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, and the Persian Gulf.

DDTSII01

 

THE STATE I’M IN is a yearly column about my once-a-month New Jersey trips.

⤓ Issue #1:
1. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY-take a tour of this lovely campus and feel like an ivy-league student for a day--regardless of your SAT scores.
2. JOCKEY HOLLOW-learn about how an 18th-century farm family and George Washington’s troops coped with the winter of 1779-80.
3. LAMBERT CASTLE-Once upon a time, a boy came to America to seek his fortune; in the 1890s, he became rich enough to build a castle.
4. WATERLOO VILLAGE-Step back in time and learn about life in the 18th and 19th centuries in this village, as well as what life was like for the local Native Americans.
5. NEWARK MUSEUM-NJ’s largest museum, located in NJ’s largest city, is a first-class museum for the arts, both fine and decorative, and natural science.
6. GREAT ADVENTURE-If you like thrill rides, fun entertainment, or just walking around the 11 theme areas of the park, this place is worth a special day trip.
7. SANDY HOOK-NJ’s northernmost beach area offers lessons in history and nature, or you could just have a relaxing time in this non-commercial beach peninsula.
8. SIX FLAGS SAFARI-Drive your own hardtop car or ride the tour bus through the largest safari outside of Africa; unlike Africa, this safari included animals from six continents.
9. MOUNTAIN CREEK-NJ’s largest ski resort also offers quiet autumn getaways for those of us who want to admire the lovely fall foliage.
10. DUKE GARDENS-Tour through 11 theme gardens at the estate of the late Doris Duke and feel like you took a trip around the world’s gardens--without the jet lag.
11. LIBERTY VILLAGE OUTLETS-Even if you don’t buy much in these 60 outlet stores offering merchandise at 25% to 65% off, just walking around and browsing at this re-created colonial village is worth the trip.
12. NJ STATE HOUSE-No matter how well or badly you think the lawmakers are running NJ, once you see NJ’s capitol building, you will be impressed from its gold-exterior dome to the floors inside.