THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION PAGE 72 APRIL/MAY 2022 theconnectionsnj.com With spring around the corner and the dreams of summer in our eyes, let’s talk about my favorite state parks to visit in our own Garden State. These parks make for enjoyable day trips with the entire family. Along with their beautiful hikes, they also offer picturesque views, interesting flora and fauna, and adventures such as electric boating and kayaking. BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK History - The lighthouse was built as one of the most important points for coastal vessels. These vessels from and to NY along the NJ coastline depended on the Barnegat lighthouse to avoid the shoals extending from the shoreline. With a 360-degree panoramic view of Barnegat Bay, Island Beach and inlets, the lighthouse is the focal point and the most amazing feature of this park. The climb to the lighthouse is challenging with 217 steps and has many landing areas for breaks. Timings - Lighthouse hours are from 10:30-2:30pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting. Fees - $3 to climb the lighthouse. Children, ages 6-11, $1. Children under 5, free. Things to do - There is a handicapped-friendly jetty where you can enjoy the views of the boats and some local birds. Swimming is not allowed, and pets must always be leashed. There is also ample parking available and a good time to visit would be mornings around 11 am when the lighthouse is not crowded. https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/ parks/barnegatlighthousestatepark.html ALLAIRE STATE PARK History –The Allaire Village is famous for being home to the historic 19th century ironmaking town and its restored and well-maintained antique steam trains. The Manasquan River which runs through the park is used for activities like fishing, boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Timings – Open from 8-4:30 pm. Fees - Entrance fee is charged per vehicle. My favorite part is the train ride with two quick loops with the conductor giving you the full history of the park. The train ride is $4 for adult riders and kids ride free. Things to do - One can enjoy 200 species of wildflower plants as well as birds and wildlife. This park is also very popular for its wedding chapel and its camping sites. We spent about half a day in the park and loved every bit of this experience as a family. https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/ parks/allairestatepark.html CHEESEQUAKE STATE PARK: A park with two different ecosystems: the northern forest meeting the southern Pine Barrens ecosystem at sea level. This makes it ideal for hikers and for enjoying the diversity of flora and fauna. The park offers 5 trails ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 miles. We enjoyed walking the Green trail which was 3.1 miles, not too strenuous, and was shaded and pleasant. The trails are well marked and neatly maintained. Fees – Parking is free. Pointers - Swimming is permitted from Memorial Day to Labor Day with very clean changing areas and restrooms. However, the bottom is a little weedy, so it does not appeal to all. Please do enjoy the several small picnic areas with tables and grills. https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/ parks/cheesequakestatepark.html RINGWOOD STATE PARK History - The Skyland Manor and the Botanical gardens were designed in the1920s. The Manor was home to many well-known ironmasters from 1740 to late 19th century. Location - This park is situated in Passaic County in the heart of the Ramapo Mountains in Ringwood and is home to several beautiful country manors, NJ Botanical gardens, and the Shepherd Lake Recreation area. Timings – The Manor is open for tours one Sunday a month from March until November. Fee - There is a $10 entrance fee. The park is open to the public all year round. Pointers - The garden offers a spectacular view of the Ramapo Mountains and houses a myriad variety of plants and evergreens. Shepherd Lake is great for swimming. Electric boating and fishing are permitted. My advice is to get there early to get a kayak as they go out fast. https://nj .gov/dep/parksandforests/ parks/ringwoodstatepark.html With spring around the corner and the dreams of summer in our eyes, let’s talk about my favorite state parks to visit in our own Garden State. These parks make for enjoyable day trips with the entire family. Along with their beautiful hikes, they also offer picturesque views, interesting flora and fauna, and adventures such as electric boating and kayaking. POPULAR STATE PARKS IN NJ By Shalini Rajamani As a member of a writer’s group, I am asked from time to time to suggest a topic or a word that becomes the prompt for our next essay. Most recently, I suggested the word Anticipation, since I feel this is a year of just that, or at least, for me and my family. This is the year our grandson, Jake, graduates from high school, heads to college and takes his steps toward his career, not simply his education. There is an air of anticipation around his decisions…which college will he attend, will he participate on a sports team, what will be his area of interest, is there Graduate School in his future? As I think about it, this group of students has been impacted by so many dramatic events in society. Sadly, they have encountered and been guided to deal with a pandemic and its concomitant virtual learning, frightening gun violence including lockdown drills and lockdowns, climate change, financial crisis, society’s recognition of gender differences, well, the list can go on and on. They are probably the most resilient generation we have seen since the “greatest generation” who were their great-grandparents. For those of us who wondered if they would ever take their eyes off their electronic devices, this generation has proven to be able to spring back into shape, to be flexible, pliable and stronger than many before them. Focusing on this year for Jake, and his sister, Jess and cousin, Maddie, who will begin applying to colleges next fall, has brought me back to my own applications and hopes for the future so many decades ago. At that time, I was a stranger to the college process since, like most of my friends, I was the first generation in my family to attend college. (My father had planned on attending Columbia University on a math scholarship but enlisted in the Marines after Pearl Harbor.) There was a sense of pride in being able to apply to college, a future that would be written by a desire to work and study hard, and an ability to have a successful career. My dreams were immense, and the sky was the limit! I want and must anticipate the same for my grandchildren as they approach this exciting time of their lives. The three of them are focused on their goals, know where their interests lie, know what it will take to achieve the success they desire. Never in our history have there been as many opportunities for them to “try on” different ways of accomplishing their success. It amazes me to watch how in some way all of them, including our youngest grandson, Max, are always able to figure out a different way to fix a technological glitch, they are always able to figure out a different way to look at a problem. Their ability to be facile around technology may just be a metaphor for their ability to create unique and unexpected jobs, needs for their skills, and other capabilities. At one time, I had mentioned to one of my daughters that a young cashier at a supermarket looked at a check I wrote with confused eyes, and it struck me as such a lack of knowledge on her part. My daughter’s answer was, “well, Mom, she might not be familiar with the check-writing process, but she can probably give you 5 different ways that she can deal with payment that don’t involve a check!” She was so right…now there are many automatic methods and, a dinosaur that I am, I continue to write checks. Anticipating the next steps taken by society’s evolution is way beyond my ken. My imagination ceases to exist in this regard. But the world in which my grandchildren are living is in constant reinvention, and that is very exciting. I am certain we will all benefit by the imagination of this generation. Anticipate with me the changes in the world of medicine; the ways to deal with climate change; the ability to bring people from all over the world to the table to save our planet from the effects of the industrial and technological revolution, and on and on. Our hopes for a better future lie in their minds, their experiences, their determination, their creativity, their openness and ability to respect each other. I anticipate we will not be disappointed in what these beautiful young people achieve because, at the end of the day, our hopes rest on their very capable and resilient shoulders. As I think about it, this group of students has been impacted by so many dramatic events in society. Sadly, they have encountered and been guided to deal with a pandemic and its concomitant virtual learning, frightening gun violence including lockdown drills and lockdowns, climate change, financial crisis, society’s recognition of gender differences, well, the list can go on and on. … This generation has proven to be able to spring back into shape, to be flexible, pliable and stronger than many before them. Our hopes for a better future lie in their minds, their experiences, their determination, their creativity, their openness and ability to respect each other. ANTICIPATION Slice of Life By Ellyn Mantell
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