Heading North - 7th Leg

Today, we left our temporary home by the relatives tiki-hut and headed north. It was a great stopping spot and enjoyed all the time we spent there! We will miss the two toilets and showers so close together! Even at a campground, we have not had a shower just a few steps from our front door! The tiki-hut was a great place to relax, watch TV and enjoy the visit! We stopped by the organic farm that our brother-in-law works at. It was pretty cool! The ladies grow there vegetables and free roaming chickens. They sell the vegetables, flowers and eggs to the high end restaurants in NYC. They even have a couple of their own bee hives for pollination. It is amazing what a small 26 acre farm can produce!

We followed route 206 into Trenton and saw the Trenton battle monument. It commemorates the American victory at the first Battle of Trenton, NJ, which occurred on December 26, 1776. It is located in an area of the city known as “Five Points.” It was here, at the intersection of North Broad Street, Warren Street and Brunswick, Pennington and Princeton Avenue, that the American artillery was placed. From this vantage point, the artillery dominated the streets of Trenton. The significance of the patriots’ victory at Trenton was not forgotten in the ensuing years. Three years after the battle, colonial secretary of state for King George III, Lord Germain, told Parliament “… all our hopes were blasted by that unhappy affair at Trenton.” From 206 we traveled on Route 31, heading through Pennington and Hopewell. That area reminded me of an old friend of my father that helped us with a large phone collection in my parents estate. I found his name in a circular, it was an unusual name, so I reached out to a man in NJ and it turned out that it was my father's friend. He still dabbled in old phones and was able to really help us! Thanks Walt! Looking for a new home? We found a beautiful place for sale and I love the name, the Emerald View Farm. It sits atop a hillside with breathtaking views spreading over the valley below. A long drive carries you to the custom built home with a welcoming porch that wraps around. Beautiful millwork and an open floor plan integrates the sun filled family room with a dream kitchen, featuring granite counters and stainless steel appliances. A wing that could be a 2 bedroom in-law suite. Upstairs the master bedroom respite includes a fireplace, his & her walk-in closets, and a large balcony for morning coffee. 3 additional bedrooms and the laundry make up the 2nd floor. Downstairs is an in-home theater and a family entertainment room. Thru the French doors is the magnificent patio, kitchen, and koi pond with waterfalls. For the equestrian, there is a superb 12 stall stable, 5 paddocks, and a riding ring. If we had the money, this could be our summer home for many of my friends! We traveled on the Tri-County Purple Heart Memorial Hwy. By renaming Route 31 a Purple Heart Highway it will stand as a reminder of the unwavering courage of each and every Purple Heart recipient. The Purple Heart recognizes the sacrifice of one’s personal safety. We can never repay our wounded warriors for their willingness to serve regardless of the potential consequences. When you drive this route remember all the men and women who gave so much to defend our freedom. Many of the towns we traveled near or streets we drove by included food in their name, or maybe I noticed them, because I was hungry! We saw Cherryville, Molasses Hill, Cokebury, Walnutport, Orange Grove, Graindale, and Limekiln. Yummy, maybe it is time for lunch! Found a great place to stop at Spruce Run Reservoir. It is surrounded by the rolling hills of Hunterdon County, Spruce Run Recreation Area is popular with picnickers, swimmers, fishermen, boaters and campers. The reservoir was one of the first water supply facilities to be constructed and operated by the state and covers 1,290 acres with 15 miles of shoreline for recreation. Spruce Run is the third largest reservoir in the state after Round Valley and Wanaque reservoirs. Traveled into Washington, NJ it's motto is “Hometown Friendly." No matter where we move, we always remember our "hometown." Comment on where is your hometown and what makes you remember your hometown?

We headed west on Route 46 and went by Furnace Lake which was once built for practical purposes of flood and erosion control is now a quiet lake area known as Oxford Furnace Lake in Warren County, New Jersey. Named for the first hot blast furnace in America, Oxford Furnace was also the longest continuous iron producer in the US until 1884. Oxford Furnace Lake is now a cozy area for families to picnic, hike, swim, and enjoy the great outdoors away from a noisy populated area. Kayaking, canoeing, and boating are popular on the clear water, but electric motors are not allowed to maintain a quiet and peaceful retreat feeling. Local anglers boast that the fishing is great is for bass, musky, perch, crappie, catfish, trout, bluegill. Ice fishing makes the lake a year round fishing destination as seasoned anglers boast that when the water is between 36 and 42 degrees really big bass will snap up your bait. Thought of a friend of ours when we passed the James Ramsay Farmstead. Knowlton Township Historic Commission worked tirelessly to open Ramsaysburg. The revitalization of the18th century Ramsaysburg Tavern, one of several historic structures at the river-front complex that has under gone restoration. Restoration was possible by grant funding obtained by the Knowlton Township Historic Commission.

These two laners moved across the Delaware Water Gap. New Jersey is the only state that let's you in for free, but every road out of the state requires a toll! Kind of like 'Hotel California' ... Come and stay but you can never leave! The Delaware River Gap is a 40-mile river valley. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area encompasses nearly 70,000 acres along the Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. At the southern end of this park the river cuts an S-shaped pass through the mountains, forming the Delaware Water Gap. Millions of years of uplift, erosion, and glacial activity gave us the Water Gap, lakes, streams that flow through hemlock and rhododendron laced ravines, and the waterfalls that pour off the Pocono Plateau. The crisp, cool air around the waterfalls is refreshing, especially in summer. In the 1800s resorts flourished throughout the region where city dwellers arrived by carriage or rail, often spending the entire summer away from the urban heat. The Water Gap became a scenic wonder for fashionable travelers. Today the river and its valley remain a major vacation haven. Although transportation and the lengths of stay may have changed, many who remember family trips, summer camp, or their honeymoon return to reminisce at a favorite site in the park. In 1965 Congress established Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to preserve this natural, historic area and to enjoy this rural vacationland. We had to do it ... There is no direct two lane roadway across PA. Interstate, that dirty four lane word ... We got onto and traveled Interstate 80. How boring!

We saw fog and mist in the mountains of PA. We also saw Lake Harmony a dammed glacial lake and Hickory Run State Park. The 15,990-acre State Park in Carbon County, lies in the western foothills of the Pocono Mountains. This large park has over 40 miles of hiking trails, three state park natural areas and miles of trout streams. Boulder Field, a striking boulder-strewn area, is a National Natural Landmark. Finally, we hit Route 15 and moved along on our journey. We saw an office complex Water Tower Square, that actually had a standing water tower that was also a cell tower. Very neat idea! Fry Brothers Turkey Ranch is at the top of the top of the mountain in Trout Run, PA. It is more than just a restaurant that specializes in turkey dinners. They create a destination! Anyone that travels along Route 15 is inclined to stop! They serve delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals, 7 days a week. Three Great Lakes are located along Route 15. Hammond Lake is a 640-acre lake, Tioga Lake is a 498-acre lake and Cowanesque Lake is a 1,085-acre lake. All three are in Tioga County offering unlimited horsepower boating opportunities and good fishing. Surrounded by lush forested ridges, the lakes offer recreation for the entire family. Some agree, some disagree, but I think the Windmills towering in the hills in Cohocton NY are beautiful! Cohocton Wind looks over the lush farmland of Cohocton, taking advantage of the significant wind resource rolling over the hills. The 50 wind turbines that make up the project generate up to 125 MW of clean, safe energy - that’s enough electricity to power about 50,000 homes annually.  The project is helping New York State move closer to its goal of 30% renewable energy sources by 2015. In addition to providing clean power to the region, First Wind has been an active member of the Cohocton Community. At Thanksgiving, First Wind donated 200 turkeys to the Lighthouse Food pantry, and our Operations staff volunteered at the food give-away. First Wind has also sponsored the Cochocton Lego Robotics Club for two years, which is made up of three teams. Rob’s Trail Preserve is a memorial trail nestled among the high ridges and rolling hills of the Finger Lakes. Completed in 2008, the trail connects two undeveloped lakeshore properties, owned by the DEC, between Hemlock and Canadice Lakes to protect the City of Rochester drinking water supply.  The Central & Western Chapter of The Nature Conservancy built this trail to honor the memory of Rob van der Stricht, who passed away in 2006. Rob was an avid birder, canoeist, and fisherman who carried a broad smile and a pair of binoculars everywhere he went. He was especially fond of the Finger Lakes, particularly Hemlock and Canadice. His commitment to preserving nature inspired all, and The Nature Conservancy officially dedicated this trail to his memory. Once a hardwood forest converted to cropland, Rob’s Trail showcases ecological communities, scenic vistas and geological features typical of the Finger Lakes Region. A 1.75-mile loop trail offers views of steep valleys and characteristic ridge lines. A 0.75-mile spur trail teases hikers with glimpses of Canadice Lake as one hikes down to the DEC's lakeside Canadice Trail. Hemlock and Canadice are the only Finger Lakes with undeveloped shorelines. In the 1890s the City of Rochester began acquiring lakeshore properties to prevent development of the watershed and to safeguard its primary source of drinking water. As you crest the hill between Springwater and Hemlock Rob's a Trail is on the Right and you can catch glimpses of Hemlock Lake on your left.

The 1,800 acre lakes has virtually undeveloped shorelines and is just shy of 100 feet deep. Hemlock Lake is one of the sources of water for the City of Rochester. It is typically clear, and features trout for the anglers. DEC acquired most of the watershed from the City of Rochester in the summer of 2010 as the Hemlock Canadice State Forest. DEC continues the City's high level of stewardship and protection of the lands and waters, while maintaining public access for fishing, hiking, nature study, boating and hunting. Sorry, no swimming! Nothing to threaten the water quality! Boats are allowed, but must be less than 17 feet in length, and any motors must be 10 HP or less. A non-mechanically propelled vessel must be less than 24 feet in length. Hemlock "Little World's" Fair. The fair is the reason our journey stops here for a bit! Oh and to see our kids, grand kids and family that still call NY home!

At the north end of Hemlock Lake lies the hamlet of Hemlock part of the Town of Livonia. Originally called Slab City, because of the saw mills at the end of the lake. Main Street in Hemlock was originally called Plank Road, because that is what is was made from. Back in the day Hemlock was home to a railroad stop, a hotel, small shops, repair facilities and the Hemlock Fair. Today, we are minus the hotel, but still have all the others including the