Sidecar's Dislocated Dreams

Hiking the Appalachian Trail

2009-07-11T12:10:00.004-04:00

Hi There! Hope you are enjoying your 2009 Thru Hike of the AT. Here is a pic of us on the trail. We're your local trail angels in Vernon NJ serving up fresh water along the trail on Waywayanda Moutain. If you happened to find this link by coming across our cache please leave a comment and let us know if you have an online trail journal and where to find it. We love to follow those who pass through here. We hope you really liked New Jersey while you were here and wish you luck on your way to Maine (or Georgia )

Sidecar, Foopie and Blue Muffin

We're Back

2008-03-16T16:43:00.002-04:00

Sinterklaas Bake Off

2007-12-01T20:58:00.000-05:00

Today we took advantage of the free time on Saturday ahead of this years coming of Sinterklaas on December 5th. Snurpy was helping us out making our traditional Dutch treats to kick off the holidays with some yummy Pepernoten and Speculaas. I aslo whipped up a batch of Bourbon Boerenjongens which should have been done at Labor day giving them time to age. We made a nice supper of Aardappel Soep with some smoked Gouda and a fresh baked loaf of bread. No Heineken's on hand but we washed it all down with some Amstels.

Brock-Oh-Lee

2007-11-07T14:09:00.000-05:00

Today was a great day to take in the late harvest at Honey Brook Organic Farm. We got the invite from our freinds and members Aunties J&J to partake in taking in as much organic produce as we could carry. We hit the motherload and probably more that we can possibly consume before it turns. Here Snurpy is holding up some of the fresh Broccoli she had just picked. All in all we got Broccoli, Cauliflower, Radishes, three kinds of Turnips, Red & Golden Beets, Chives, Thyme, Cilantro, Rosmary, Parsley, Arugala, Red & Bibb lettuce, Cabbage, Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Radicchio, Bok Choy & Nappa. MMMMMMM Fresh. So wit all of this we whipped up a great big salad and about a gallon of vegetable stock, baked a loaf of french bread and later turned that into herbed garlic croutons. We kept the baker ovens going and along with that loaf we made some homemade cranberry walnut bread and classic cinnamon rolls.

Now That's a bathtub!!

2007-11-02T15:27:00.000-04:00

"Leggo Mama! - I'm goin' in" Snurpy must have been thinking when she got a look at the indoor pool at Penn State's Hazleton PA Campus. We stopped by here on our way back home to strecth out legs and give the babe some outside time.

Skyline Drive

2007-11-01T12:39:00.000-04:00

Careful Mama!! We took a ride into Shenandoah today first stopping at the Byrd visitor center for our stamp and then hit the story of the forest trail to connect to our 600ft decline to Dark Hallow Falls. The trail goes by the cliffs and there is a warning sign pictured above that needs no translation if you cannot read English! The trip was an easy .8 mi repeater that took under an hour. Much easier than our last visit to this park where a trip up and over Old Rag Mountain brought 3000ft of elevation gain over 7 miles and took all day. Well as the saying goes... "A Baby changes everything." Sometimes for the better. (At least our feet thought so.)

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T21:18:00.001-04:00

Snurpy couldn't wait for Halloween to come so she could wear her Kangaroo costume to the spooky trail in Luray VA. She snagged some treats and stuffed them into the little joey pouch. too bad though Mama and Daddy ate all the chocolate!!

Snurpy visits Mecca

2007-10-30T22:13:00.000-04:00

Today we took the snurpin to Mecca! Headquarters to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry West Virginia. Last time we were here on 5/27/05 the little one wasn't even on our radar and look how big she is now!! We got her a new backpack and some other goodies for dada. The volunteer at the desk managed to guilt me into renewing my membership which I Left slide over the last year. We had a good time strolling in the park that sits along the confluence of the Shenandoah & Potomac Rivers. Later today we arrived at our cabin and visited the local Food Lion in Luray Va. - Over in the baby food aisle there was a sign posted near the baby formula. Verbatim - note the spelling... Enfamil formala is now located in the ciggerette case" Formala? Cigger? - Yankee go home!!

Frederick in the Fall

2007-10-29T21:18:00.000-04:00

Me and the girls are heading south to check off four new states for snurpee - PA,MD,WV & VA. Tonight were chilling out in Frederick MD. Keeping the miles below 300 we stopped here to stroll through one of the towns parks that has a canal running through it. Tomorrow we'll stop at the ATC in Harpers Ferry again before we head to Shenandoah N.P.

Pumpkin

2007-10-28T19:26:00.000-04:00

Snurpy gets her first look into the Jack-O-Lantern as the cameras long exposure in the dark makes it appear to gaze right through her as she sways in and out of its light. ooooohhhh spookey.

Spooky Maze

2007-10-21T13:30:00.000-04:00

Me and baby girl taking a stroll through the spooky maze at Kids Day NYC @ Madison Square Park for some City Fall fun near the Flatiron Building.

Oktoberfest @ NJ Botanical Gardens

2007-10-14T13:48:00.000-04:00

Look Daddy! I'll distract the guy in the hat so you can make off with the Pedal Steel!!

That's my Snurpy - knows how I'd love to get my hands on that slider and 10 string. Today we went out to Oktoberfest at the NJBC and enjoyed some country music, cold beer, and some nice flowers out in the gardens. Snurp got to play in the grass with her pal I from playgroup and the mommas took lots of pictures.

Harvest.

2007-10-07T20:55:00.000-04:00

So many Pumpkins! So little time! Pick a Pumpkin Snurpy? She tells Papa "I'll take this one!"

September Finale.

2007-09-30T13:15:00.000-04:00

Most people long for the chance to roast a marshmallow and sit around the campfire. Snurpy on the other hand would just rather sit IN the campfire! Today we laid a little low and didn't have any real hiking plans so we just laid a blanket out hillside at Harriman's Silvermine Lake. Snurpy and I trekked up the nearby abandoned ski slope where she discovered this fire ring just perfect for sitting in. H stayed down below soaking up some sunshine and tried to powernap. That was quickly interupted by the S.F.R's who screamed as they push-pulled each other into the lake and then the 400 participant charity Harley Ride. Both events we could here just as loudly from the mountain top.

Play Ball!

2007-09-29T13:40:00.000-04:00

Snurpee just loves herself a puppy! and all doggies for that matter! Today we took a trip out to Stillwater feild to see cousin M's Ball game. We watch below attently when my nephew was up to bat. consequently he got beaned in the side with this pitch and got to take his base. Sorry Snurpy - not going to see cuz hit a homer today! He did however steal second base but didnt make third as the third out was made before he got there. Next shift in the outfield little M made a great play fielding a deep outfeild drive and threw the ball to second base for a forced out and the 2nd base-gal capped off the double play by getting the ball to the first basemen. Great Job Stillwater team!!

Fall Season Begins

2007-09-02T13:03:00.000-04:00

The Girls enjoy some sunshine atop Tom Jones Mountain. September officially begins the fall hiking season where we go from all green to all clean as we'll be sure to get outside each weekend from here through November when the trees will be bare.

More mini-pool fun.

2007-08-25T13:37:00.000-04:00

ooooohhh that's some nice water!! Snurpy enjoys a dip atop the deckside pool out in the country and nana & papas house.

Wildlife

2007-08-18T12:57:00.000-04:00

Snurpy got up close and personal with this doe along the Surebridge Mine Road near Times Square.

Out with the old in with the new.

2007-08-12T11:11:00.000-04:00

Snurpy takes "George" out for one last spin. After 6 1/2 years of loyal service we had to retire the 2001 Cherokee. George had some suffered some setbacks that were not worth repairing based on his high mileage. For the most part it wasn't until this year did we find ourselves faced with another $1000 repair bill after another. A suspected failing water and oil pump is what forced us to turn it in. Below meet the new addition to the family. We'll call this one "Pat" a 2007 Patriot Sport 4x4 brand spanking new with a fair dinkum size of bells and whistles. This one isnt trail rated either but who needs to spend an extra $3g's for a skid plate and an souped up cooling system. We'll keep Pat at the trailhead just like George and save the trails for our boots... He'll have plenty of fun in the snow anyhow. - ( err! if it ever snows again!!)

Summer Fun

2007-08-04T12:29:00.000-04:00

Who needs a fancy resort? Snurpy just brings her own pool oceanside for some summer fun with our freinds J&J in the background.

Party Time.

2007-07-28T17:12:00.000-04:00

It's all Happening at the zoo

2007-07-25T16:55:00.000-04:00

Go for the Kneecap!

2007-07-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

Ocean Side.

2007-07-21T16:47:00.000-04:00

Farm tour

2007-07-08T14:05:00.000-04:00

Can't surf yet.

2007-07-01T15:55:00.000-04:00

Life's a Beach

2007-06-27T20:43:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Snurpy Girl! One year old today and out at the beach for the toes' first dip in the ocean. Much more to see and do with our little girl and we look forward to every day. Click the little beans photo below for a look back on the previous year.

Sophie Turns One

Solo Flight

2007-06-23T12:18:00.000-04:00

Happy Da-Da Day.

2007-06-17T14:20:00.000-04:00

Island Pond Road

2007-05-19T13:52:00.000-04:00

In spite of the rain that drove us south two days early and which still lingered here locally, S&H found some time to field test the Kelty adventure pack. We let Snurpy navigate us down the unmarked Island Pond Road. Vacation is not over yet!!

Freeport Friday

2007-05-18T14:43:00.000-04:00

Snurpy waves hi for the camera during a stop in Freeport to visit the home of LL Bean and their huge retail store for some summer clothes for all. Both my girls looked like they'd rather be playing outside.

Red in the Morning?

2007-05-17T14:03:00.000-04:00

Well we didn't see any red but we're foiled by the rain along the Down East Coast. Forecast has it wet around here for six straight days. Cold down to the thirties too! Packed up today and headed for home.

Bar Harbor

2007-05-16T20:07:00.000-04:00

Sunset view from the pier in Bar Harbor, ME.

New England Clam Bake

2007-05-15T19:06:00.000-04:00

Dare come this far North and East in the U.S.A - Then this is a must have dinner, the classic New England Clam Bake! To Go!

Before -

And After....

Courtesy of the the Fish House Grille - Bar Harbor, ME.

Little Hunters Beach

2007-05-14T13:52:00.000-04:00

Snurpy loves to clack together the cobblestones on Little Hunters Beach.

Happy Mothers Day

2007-05-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Mothers Day says Snurpy who's snuggled up with Mommy. Today we took an easy stroll through Bar Harbor, ME, along the shore path. Such a beautiful day--H was very happy to be here and so was the rest of her family.

Little Orchard Beach

2007-05-12T13:00:00.000-04:00

Me and Snurpy enjoy a little break at Little Orchard Beach on the Maine Coast on our way to Acadia National Park.

GTM # 4

2007-05-04T19:59:00.000-04:00

GTM day #4 - Where'd the time go? Married in Arizona and celebrated GTM 1 & 2 in Acadia and then the Smokies having made solemn promises never to spend this day in New Jersey we found ourselves once again unable to escape it this year. Reason being we had to alternatively have our out of state adventure planned for next week so H could wrap up some work and the place we secured wastn't available for this weekend. The original Plan was to go to FLA to see aunt A & Unc and little cuz Jaker but the airplane and the miles we figured be too hard on our little bean. Sorry to all in FLA we love and miss you and hope to see you real soon!!

Earth Day 2007

2007-04-22T12:33:00.000-04:00

Celebrating earth day with Snurpy at Pine Meadow Lake. Was a cakewalk getting here but to avoid the repeater on the return trip we had dared head up and over halphway and diamond Mountain. Felt like it was 1ooo ft up and straight back down in the summer like heat. We'll be sure to cut the miles and elevation changes a bit lower when we have the rabbit in tow as it starts to get even hotter. GPS Tracks below show our clockwise progress from the top - beginning at Lake Sebago Boat Launch and head up and over Conklin MT. to Lak Wanosinks south shore; follow the fire road to the Tuxedo Mt. Ivy trail along Pine Meadow Lakes North Shore and then West away from the lake to the Yellow and then Orange trails up and over back down to Lake Sebago's south shore heading Northeast back to the car.

Lake Skemonto

2007-04-14T13:06:00.000-04:00

Hanging out with Snurpee at Lake Skemonto. We've managed to get a bit further into the Harriman Backcountry with each passing week. On this trip we started off NY 106 past Little Long Pond at the victory trailhead and followed Victory right onto Ramapo Dunderberg up and over Parker Cabin Mountain and left onto Y-Triangle to lake Skemonto. From the direction we came from this spot feels perfectly remote however just over the hill in front of us is Sebago beach which is teeming with hundreds of people every summer weekend. The peacefulness of our lunch break on the lakes northern mini-penninsula was broken only by the quintessential unleashed barking dog that passed by. It's not that I don't like dogs it's I just don't like them cruising the parks trails unleashed. We hooked back up on the victory trail passing the appliance graveyard and closing our four mile loop with our baby girl.

Great Swamp, Take Three

2007-04-09T20:43:00.000-04:00

We are happy to report that Snurpee helped make our third attempt (first time was too wet in the winter snow; second time too buggy in summer) at hiking the Great Swamp a success, on a chilly but sunny spring day. When we have to snap on the gaters, we know it's going to get messy. Here Mama tries to dodge a few mucky puddles. Eventually we gave up and just plodded right through them. A few boardwalks offered short reprieves from the "suck, suck" sound of pulling our boots out of the mud. Snurpee enjoyed another hike nap on the fast-paced return trip to George. (Mama was hungry!)

Harriman Plains

2007-03-31T13:08:00.000-04:00

Nice day for a walk on the high plains of Harriman among the gneiss and the old burn. One hour out and one hour back for a little picinic near the shelter between Black Rock and Ship Rock.

Spring is here!

2007-03-25T14:32:00.000-04:00

Finally warm enough for a trip outside with the little bean. We have not been able to take her outside for the last eight weeks but on Sunday it was warm enough to get outside and wear Snurpy on mommy's back. We headed for somewhere familiar, close by, and not too strenuous and that brought us to the yellow-blazed Menomine Trail heading north of Seven Lakes Drive from the Silvermine Lake trailhead. Only 200 yards in, we came to a familiar stream crossing that was not fit to ford while carrying the baby (she'll be 9 months old on Tuesday) on your back so after a conservative attempt at crossing we bailed on Menomine and headed up the Nawahunta fire road past the Lewis Mine. The trail was easy to walk on but it was full of mud and puddles--difficult to pass through while remaining dry. Not long after heading deeper into the woods we came across one of our "favorites": unfreakin' leashed dogs. Not one, not two, but three of the slobbering mongrels!! This is not the first time we had to deal with this here and now that our party includes the Snurpy the last thing we need is to wrestle some pooches. The owner was a nice enough guy but the mutts were totally out of control, running back and forth by us and being the slobbering freaks that they are. The guy blew his whistle and called them back and of course all three of them ignored him because we three we way more interesting. If you want to go hiking with your dogs and keep them off the leash, you don't belong on any NYNJTC trails. We had hoped to follow the fire road up to where it meets Long Path but our pace was easy and our time short before we decided to turn back. Little Snurpy had a great time as she climbed eagerly into mommy's backpack and once we headed into the forest she gave us some good smiles. After taking in all the sights and smells and the cool pince scented and moist air, she dozed right off into a nice little slumber. This peace was broken near the parking area on our return by a group of SFR's who thought it would be a great idea to drive past the barricade onto the fire road and disrupt the quiet of the park by blasting Eurotrash club music from their luxury SUV at about 10,000 decibels. We got a nice stare down passing them both coming and going.

This first taste of family hiking left us craving more and we can't wait to head out with Snurpy again.

Hiker in Training

2007-02-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Well the groundhog said spring would come soon. We've been a little short on adventures since we don't want to expose Snurpy to too much cold but that won't stop Mommy from some off- season "training" with the Kelty kid pack we got from Uncle A at the shower way back when. Check back in April when we're allowed to go outside to play!!! In the meantime, be entertained by Snurpy's nonhiking exploits.

A day at the beach

2007-01-08T20:11:00.001-05:00

Many straight days of bizarre weather brought us today out to Sandy Hook for a walk on the beach. Grabbed this shot from the Atlantic Highlands looking across Gateway n.r.a., Brooklyn, and Manhattan off in the background. 55 degrees in January? would never believe it but we sure can enjoy it!! Just hope it's not the beginning of the end. Once all the glaciers melt that radio tower on the top of the Empire State building just might poke out of the water enough to see from the shores of the Ramapo.

Training Session

2006-12-28T17:15:00.000-05:00

H & I took snurpy out again this time to Kittatiny start park. She was much more alert and was taking in all the sights, sounds and smells this great little park has to offer. We enjoyed the groomed paths and woods roads which meandered over a hill and along Aeroflex Lake to the edge of an airport runway. We got to see some planes land and tak off which was fun. Also learned how to identify Sassafras and sniff the branches that derive Root Beer.

Wrapping up some Jersey!

2006-12-16T13:52:00.000-05:00

The girls had a playdate at B&N so I took advantage of the increadibly warm ( err... Hot 60 degrees ) December day and took one of the last unseen pieces of my NJ A.T. logbook which was from Mashipacong Shelter to Sunrise Mountain. Someone recently bagged a deer from this trail since there was hair and blood left on the jagged rocks for the first few hundred yards into the trip. I stopped to find some red birch twigs and enjoyed the sweet familiar scent of the soda pop even though I tried to keep the pace up had only rested at the turnaround point pictured above at the Sunrise Mountain overlook. Nice view in spite of the recent vandalism where some chokers grafitti painted the enire area with their garbage messages. I hope the ranger caught them and tossed them over the edge along with their Krylon cans. The only little bits of AT in NJ I have yet to trod upon is a about 1/4 mile stretch up a single hill near the Stateline trail west of Greenwould lake and from about 3/4 mile south on trail from Barrett Rd in Vernon NJ to the Trail Register. Still have 3 broken sections in NY South of Morgan Stewart Shelter to BMB totalling under 30 miles. This Spring = all of Connecticut in 1 shot.

Hello Sinterklaas

2006-12-09T19:42:00.000-05:00

2006-12-09T19:03:00.000-05:00

Nice Beard can I have it?
mcv

Snurpy Back on the White Trail

2006-11-25T15:15:00.000-05:00

Brought the little girl out to "The Ridge." an easy section of the Appalachian Trail located "nearby"--69 miles from home base to Flatbrookville Rd. The trail at this part is a fire road with great views on either side. We trecked about two-tenths of a mile on the gravel road and had a little photo shoot at this viewpoint. Only spent about half an hour enjoying the sweeping landscape views and the round trip in car was about 70 minutes each way. But it was worth the long haul--H needed a dose of the sights and smells to help fight her nature deficit disorder and Snurpy didn't seem to mind our dragging her outside again too much.

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

Both the BIW's were ouut to join me for the annual and traditional post Thanksgiving day Hike. Bushwackked to Stahahe High Peak for the first off season visit. This time we ran down the hill to the lakeside and passed through the ghost camp to the northside of the lake and through the valley of boulders and a good climb up the Nurian trail to Island Pond Road and back out to the Falcon at the trailhead. All in all about 4 easy miles purposly cut short to get back to the girls waiting for our return. What am I most thankful for? Well lets just say a lot but right now its the warmer temps as this days trip in 2005 was wretched cold and windy well below freezing!

Song of the Open Road.

2006-11-18T11:21:00.000-05:00

Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose. Henceforth I ask not good-fortune—I myself am good fortune; Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, Strong and content, I travel the open road. The earth—that is sufficient; I do not want the constellations any nearer; I know they are very well where they are; I know they suffice for those who belong to them. Mon enfant! I give you my hand! I give you my love, more precious than money, I give you myself, before preaching or law; Will you give me yourself? will you come travel with me? Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?
-Walt Whitman

Look Ma no Wheels!

2006-10-21T13:29:00.000-04:00

Today we too Snurpy out to Ringwood Manor on this beutiful fall Day with Aunt Ree. If was her first hike out of the stroller.

Escape

2006-10-17T20:00:00.000-04:00

Escape

Rare Taconic Region Bobcat

2006-10-16T11:14:00.000-04:00

Bobcat in blue box !

Dutchess County NY

2006-10-15T10:13:00.000-04:00

Dutchess County
mcv

Another Multiday on the A.T.

2006-10-14T15:00:00.000-04:00

Back on the AT in NY from Connecticut south to the Taconic

2006-10-07T20:51:00.000-04:00

All Aboard!
mcv

Pick, Pick, Pick

2006-09-30T19:33:00.000-04:00

Snurpee, Papa, H, and I headed out to Ochs Orchard today to fetch us some seasonal eats fresh off the trees. Unfortunately the rain clouds expected for tomorrow came early and put a damper on things as it rained on and off all day. Snurpee was happily bundled up in her too-cute Baby Bjorn and fleece cover. She looked like a super stylish caterpillar all wrapped up in her cocoon. After filling two quarter bushel bags with macs and golden delicious (for H's Thanksgiving pie), we headed down to the country store for some homemade ice cream, cider, and the store's specialty: apple cider donuts. Papa wisely refrained from snacking on one of these sweet treats. They are tasty, but super sugary inside and out. Tomorrow we will kick back on the couch for a lazy rainy afternoon with some warm cider sprinkled with freshly grated nutmeg. Snurpee's first apple picking trip was just one of the many family traditions we look forward to sharing with her as she grows up. Next year she'll be able to pick her own pumpkin for Halloween.

2006-09-04T19:39:00.000-04:00

Swing Swing Swing!
mcv

2006-08-22T22:43:00.000-04:00

Goat Family Portrait
mcv

Vintage Pollution

2006-08-19T15:22:00.000-04:00

Celebrating 108 years of Pepsi? I was four years old when some choker dropped this can off near Lake Skenonto on the "Victory" trail in Harriman S.P. NY. I suppose it didnt look too out of place because I found it right in the middle of some appliance graveyard for equally vintage washing machines. Regardless of the trash it was a great chance to get some hiking in. H & the little bean had gone off to a bridal shower for the day so I snuck out this morning and parked George just west of Little Long Pond and scurried about 8 miles in 3 mini-loops. Beginning on the Ramapo Dunderberg trail over Tom Jones Mountain and then down the Victory trail along the west shore of Lake Skenonto. About face and up the Yellow triangle to again intersect the RD trail where I ran into a guy setting up for a photo at the viewpoint. He said to me he wasn't lost but wanted to know where he was on the map asking if we were at "X" - Black Rock. I said no we are at "Y" - Parker Cabin Mountain and you're totally lost. Seems that when he left his car at the trailhead he walked south of the road and he thought he'd been traveling north. I then continued down RD to the next view and ate lunch by the little augie doggie memorial erratic. Sorry no photo! then down the white cross trying to outrun a couple on my heels and then up the white bar trail where I passed by another couple heading behind me. Saw another dude at the next intersection and then I began to head backdown the RD and bushwacked to the triangle to avoid losing alot of elevation only having to climb again. Eventually I got back to the V-RD intersection and went left around TJ Mountain ( again don't need to climb that twice in a day) and went back to the car via Route 106 .4 Mi. When I got back to the car there was a group of about 6 guys heading into the woods where I started looking like they were packed for Antarctica! i'll bet they were each carrying their own case of beer.

These are my feet

2006-08-12T19:23:00.000-04:00

Little bean got out of the car today for her second trip into Harriman State Park. Let her little feet wiggle those toes out in the unseasonably cool air. We had a little family picnic today up the hill from the shores of Lake Sebago. It started out nice enough as she lay there stretching and cooing to mommy until her appetitite arrived and her diaper filled then it was a non-stop race to find the comfort zone that was always just out of reach. Finally she settled down with a pacifier and a blanket to keep her warm as she wasn't liking the cool summer breezes we were blessed with today. Each week she's getting bigger and smarter and we're loving every minute of it!

Little Bean's first hike

2006-08-06T09:38:00.000-04:00

Fifty feet down and 2173.9998 miles to go! We took baby out for a drive to the Culvers Gap trailhead and stopped at the Sunrise Mountain pavillion before cruising the one-way drive through the heart of Stokes State Forest. Obviously our adventures have been a bit limited lately while we nurture this little snurpy monster to get trail ready. By this time next year we'll be going a bit deeper, sporting the Kelty Adventure. Meanwhile autumn will be here soon enough and we'll be sure to leave her with a grandma or two so we can get back outside. Uncle A and I have been talking about tackling the trail in Maryland from Harpers Ferry North to the Pennsyl-tuckey border.

Our Little Bean - S.M.V. Is Here

2006-06-27T20:43:00.000-04:00

Here she is--our little "Coco" bean! It was a lot of hard work to get this far, but worth every bit of it. From now on she'll be in the forefront of our future adventures and probably sooner than later we'll have her exploring with us. Thanks to our parents, siblings, extended family, and friends for their support and well wishes the past weeks. Isn't she lovely!

None Shall Pass

2006-05-28T17:30:00.000-04:00

"A" and I went back out on to the AT today to log some miles and let him take down another section in NJ. We took the same route H & I did back on July 9th doing the 15 Miles northbound from Deckertown Turnpike to Route 284. Once we got down into the farm country we had about a dozen Bovine standing directly on the trail staring us down. We carefully skirted to the left hoping not to incite a charge. Needless to say we made it out alive and forget about the bears - just look at these things stare us down!

Lakeside

2006-05-27T14:39:00.000-04:00

Chilling out lakeside today. H has been grounded from most trail walking but that doesn't need to keep us inside. We headed out to Stokes State Forest today to hav e a picnic on the shores of Lake Ocquittunk where my dad often took my brothers and I fishing. We had no poles but that didnt stop us from stealing someones favorite fishing spot and catching an hours worth of sleep.

GTM Day 2006

2006-05-04T20:10:00.000-04:00

Sunset over Cape May Lighthouse our mini-getaway for GTM#3

Bear Encounter

2006-05-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

Cheap Wal-Mart doggie chains are no match for the elusive North Jersey Black Bears.

May Day

2006-05-01T13:09:00.000-04:00

Sunrise over Stillwater NJ near Catfish Fire Tower.

The Long Green Tunnel

2006-04-30T13:08:00.000-04:00

Kittatiny Ridge Day 2

AT NJ Section 5

2006-04-29T13:05:00.000-04:00

Overlooking the Walpack Valley

Getting Ready.

2006-04-23T14:00:00.000-04:00

More to come! - got ready Sunday for a four day backpack trip laid out some water caches to keep us hydrated.

Get a big glass of water!

2006-04-09T19:45:00.000-04:00

Chicken enchiladas Rachel Ray style: quick, cheap and easy. Delicious!! Get a big glass of water! Beats the usual tacos, fajitas, or quesadillas we've been used to. Of course, the staple guacamole is out there every chance we get.

State Line

2006-03-31T17:50:00.000-05:00

Working so hard all year, I have had little time to get outside on weekends. I've been finding myself having to catch up with work on weeknights and weekends since the beginning of February. Enough is a enough! The weather broke for the better this week and for a change I'm pretty well caught up at the office, so I bailed from work today and headed for the AT. These days H cannot get out there, being the beautiful seven months along that she is. Next time she puts her boots on I'll have a baby on my back instead of the pack!! Today I knocked off the State Line and finished this section of the AT, so now I have completed from the Hudson River to Mashipacong Shelter. This trip was a repeater starting at Warwick Turnpike and going until I met the place we turned back some many months ago on a day hike south from Rt. 17A. All in all today's shot was 14 miles done in 7 hours. Should not have been too rough, but I really hurt!! Have not gone to the gym since January and have been pretty much the sloth. I need to take advantage of the momentum now and exercise like silly because A & I are going to wrap up NJ and do a three-day backpack through the Kittatinnies to the Delaware Water Gap. I'm told A has been training. He's gonna smoke me!!

Streets that time walks

2006-03-11T20:00:00.000-05:00

Thames Street and Fells Point at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Went to have some good crab dishes over at the John Stevens LTD. restaraunt nearby. Shot down and back in quick day trip moving some furniture over to A's to make some more space for Coco. Great spring-like weather made the night out near the water that much more enjoyable. Thanks again for dinner, A (and for taking all those books)!

This "IS" Real!!

2006-02-26T21:17:00.000-05:00

Where've you been? Well February has been a wash in the adventure department, but not getting out to the woods hasn't been the end of the world. My company has gone through a bunch of changes all for the better but the hours got brutal during the transition. To keep myself ahead of the game I've had to work the last three weekends on top of the 60-hour work weeks. Best of all H is starting to show off our little bean Coco. Today we went to go pick up the crib. We're taking the baby steps getting ready for everything a little bit at a time. The Love-O-Meter is going redline every time I think about my family. Hope to be back sooner than a week to update you all.
mcv

Ice Hazard

2006-01-28T16:02:00.000-05:00

It's not too often you get a warm day like this in January! We haven't been on a real hike since December 10th and as the coming weeks pass we will be out less and less as H gets closer and closer to June and the coming of "Coco." In spite of the 600 feet we climbed we took it easy, traveling 3.5 miles in 3 hours. We started from the Arden Surebridge trail and left onto Island Pond Road and back to "George" via the Appalachian Trail.

Little Hiker

2006-01-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

Today I got a letter and the Hummel figurine pictured above from my cousins J & D. What fantastic people they are! So thoughtful and good to us. J sends us articles about area hiking trails almost every week and we love to see them. But this letter in particular really touched us and so much so I had to post it here.

Dear H & M. What wonderful news! You know all three of you are in our thoughts and prayers always. Many months ago I decided to sell some of my Hummel figures, ones that didn't have too much special meaning. I've had these since we were first married, so a lot of them were very special. One that I didn't remember buying or receiving as a gift for anything special was the one that is enclosed and as I was sorting them I immediately put it aside to send to you guys, as its title is "the little hiker." Needless to say I never got around to sending it, and now I know that it was meant for me not to send it back then because now I know that it has that special meaning I was speaking of--the announcement of the coming of your own "little hiker." So here it is and D & I both hope that it will be special for you too and you think of us when you look at it and your little hiker.

Thanks, J&D! This is so special to us. When your Hummel figurine sits in our little one's room and when were in the woods with Coco, we will tell the story about where it came from and how special you are to us.

Just in case we haven't told the rest of you yet (especially if you live in Georgia! Sorry, y'all, I'm holding out to surprise you in person when we can meet up again!) but the code word for our coming baby is "Coco." A few months ago we were reading one of those baby books and at that time the book said the baby was the size of a cocoa bean; hence code name Coco.

Let's Eat.

2006-01-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

Here's What's cookin today courtesy of Giada.

Pasta E Fagioli

Seared Rib-Eye Steak with Arugala & Roasted Pepper Salad

Baked Rigatoni with Bechamel Sauce

Raspberry Tiramisu

Wintering Eagles

2006-01-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

We, along with the fancy new camera, set out today on the lookout for wintering bald eagles. An article in the latest issue of Backpacker magazine enlightened me to the fact that New York's Harriman State Park is home to an increasing number of bald eagles. I'm no expert on these birds, but the one pictured above is the only large bird we saw today and it is either a young bald or an adult golden. Then again for all I know it's a turkey vulture! On the other hand while in Alaska last September, I spotted a bald one in Seward that was unmistakable.

Happy New Year!!

2005-12-31T23:59:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! Wow, what a tremendously great year! We did so much and had so much fun. We got to go hiking on 24 of the year's weekends and visited 21 different states. We took up paddling a couple of times and had some great dinners with freinds enjoying some fantastic food and wine. Picked up some more good bourbons and saw all my favorite bands play their songs. It was a good year for our careers too as we got to see and do a whole lot and still invest and save some money. We got to go the beach a couple of times. To sum it all up, we had maybe only 2 weekends all year that didn't live up to this blog's namesake. One thing is for absolute certain: 2006 will be nothing like 2005. Things will, in fact, be completely different. The good ol' blog will turn itself upside halfway through and completely revamp its theme, because

WE'RE HAVING A BABY THIS COMING JUNE!!!!

As good as 2005 was, 2006 will be better in so many ways! Can't wait and we'll keep you posted as we go along. Love to all our friends and family for their love and support; we're gonna need it!!

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T22:48:00.000-05:00

The Christmas lights display at the Butler, New Jersey, municipal buildings. The pouring rain didn't keep us from dropping by on our way home from Sussex County, per the annual tradition. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We had a really nice time with everyone in both our families, sharing gifts, food, and fun.

Bourbon Eggnog

2005-12-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

Crafty Christmas is the goal but how did I get here? First of all I got a little email from Bill Samuels, the president of Makers Mark Distillery, telling me to check out the TV show Good Eats because Alton Brown (whom we've met) was going to visit the distillery and film an episode on how to make a traditional eggnog with Kentucky Bourbon. We'll be dressing our batches up in mason jars and handing them out as holiday treats. This nog is missing all the chemicals and preservatives and other manufactured ingredients. In particular, it is especially less sweet and much thicker than the grocery store versions.

"Maker's Mark Eggnog."

1 liter Maker's Mark
1 quart milk
1 quart heavy cream
2 dozen eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
nutmeg for garnish

Separate eggs and beat yolks until creamy. Whip sugar into yolks. Beat whites until they stand in peaks, adding 1/2 cup additional sugar, if desired. Beat yolks and Maker's Mark together, add whites. Beat cream. Add cream and milk to mixture. Add nutmeg to taste and garnish each cup with nutmeg. Makes 2 1/2 gallons.

What's all the hub-bub?!?

2005-12-17T19:00:00.000-05:00

Well it got postponed at least four times but we finally had the "Surprise" party for my Parents. Special birthday for my father today and nearly a month belated for mom. Now what's with those expressions? Haven't you ever gotten surprised before... Maybe there's a little something extra to the story?

Long Path

2005-12-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

Snowshoes on NY Long Path. This is really vigorous exercise! walked just short of three miles today in the 6-8 inches that was dumped on the area yesterday. We were headed for the Anthony Wayne Recreation area but the parking lot was closed. Lat year we had a blast buzzing the jeep around in the lot there in 17 inches. I guess no more winter fun over there!! We finally decided to head south on the Long Path from NY Rt 6 just West of the Long mountain Circle. The nearest item of interest on this trail would have been the cave shelter but that was a bit out of reach for the depth of snow we had to trudge through. All the way out we were walking to the left of ski tracks careful not to destroy the groove but alas a group of twelve crazians trampled all over it on the way out. So much fun getting out here in the snow even though the effort will send you to bed real early!

Happy Sinterklaas!

2005-12-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Sinterklaas out for a beer with Zwarte Piet! Tonight those of us who are Dutch, or of Dutchly heritage, celebrate the eve of St. Nicholas, a holiday much different than American-style Christmas. (Note: American Santa Claus is not derived from any Dutch traditions. See more on that later.) Granted, we were raised on Christmas and do still take part in all the "traditional" American customs related to this holiday, but we are getting tired of the emphasis on spending money at the mall instead of "giving." In the last few years H & I have researched our heritage, and have been aided with some clues and influence from my Uncle N. & Aunts M & A. In Holland "Christmas" begins in mid-November when St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) leaves his home in Spain and travels by steamship with his white steed and his helpers, Zwarte Piets (Black Petes). Petes are not necessarily black by way of racial description, but the legends vary and explain his color by claiming that he is black like the Devil (?). Some also claim that Sinterklaas's helpers are black the same way that fairies are green: no one really knows why. Legend also has it that the Piets are black from the soot of the chimneys that they crawl down to deliver treats of candy and fruit for good children who have left their clompens (wooden shoes) by the front door, a window, or the fireplace, filled with carrots and hay for Sinterklaas' steed. When I was a little boy my great uncles would tell me that if I didn't behave the Zwarte Piets would come take me and my brothers away in a bag. Let me tell you, the threat of Zwarte Piets coming to take us away in the night was a much more effective tool than telling us Santa would bring us coal!! There is no real magic in the Sinterklaas tale (a la, no wink of the eye or scratch of the nose as with Santa), and there is only one actual Sinterklaas, who arrives in a Dutch port city on December 5th. He has many "PR" engagements during the day but that evening he and hundreds of his Zwarte Piet helpers deliver the treats to well-behaved children. Most of the good fun of Sinterklaas Eve comes not from any of the legends or myths surrounding it, but rather comes from the wholesome gifting, eating, and drinking of the holiday. Every person's table setting is marked by a chocolate initial from their first name. Bisschopswijn (Bishops' wine) is consumed and folks nibble on an aged, sweetened whiskey soaked raisins called Boerenjongens (translation: farm boys). There is a lot of baking going on and we'll enjoy Dutch windmill or gingerbread-like cookies known as speculaas. These almond cookies (Gevulde koeken) are my favorite, and I'll get them fresh in Sussex, NJ, at the Holland American Bakery. H makes some wonderful pepernoten (ginger nuts), which are tiny cookies that the Piets throw to the children to announce the arrival of Sinterklaas. Pehaps my favorite Dutch recipe is the Oliebollen, which are bits of deep-fried dough covered with powdered sugar. Best eaten steaming hot! My aunt A. always made these for us at Christmas and I am just now trying to match hers.

Christmas in America has sadly shifted its focus from the a religious holiday to loading up yer SUV at the mall. However, it's not as if Christmas is such an old holiday. Get ready to be shocked! When do you suppose we started celebrating Christmas in the United States?
Pilgrims? 1700s? No, try post-Civil War America. When Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address, there was no Santa Claus and Christmas wasn't even a national holiday until the 1880s. Washington Irving, the author of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, basically invented the holiday of Christmas around 1820, with his book Christmas. Learn all about the history and origin of Santa Claus. Irving didn't like all the partying and drinking that was going on following the annual fall harvest season, when folks had a lot of extra time on their hands to raise a raucous. So Irving and his Knickerbocker gang set out to establish some more wholesome traditions for the yuletide season. Perhaps he was successful, but many would agree it has backfired in modern times. Hey, it's a great time for the retail economy and Madison Avenue, but nowadays too many of us fight too hard to "get the perfect gift." Good grief, I'm rambling!!

So back to Sinterklaas: The practice of gift giving for the Dutch involves a simple treat or small item of interest to the receiver (not a Lexus or a Carnival Cruise, dammit!) The gift giver hides the loot somewhere that is usually difficult to find, or in a strange place such as inside a flour sack or buried in a jar of jam in the back of the fridge. The gift giver leaves clues throughout the house and the receiver must trace those clues to find the gift. Even more fun is the poem that the giver has to write about the recipient and that gets attached to the gift. The poem is supposed to poke some lighthearted fun at the receiver, based on experiences they have shared over the past year. The receiver of the poem is supposed to read it aloud to the entire gathering and upon completion thank not the provider of the poem but to exclaim "Thank you Sinterklaas!!" The whole process takes some quality time to enjoy and is to be savored. If you have an opinion or comment about how you like to celebrate please leave us a post below. Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!!

First snowfall of the season

2005-12-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

Today we woke to the first falling of snow for the winter. Pretty early considering its still the first week of December. When we were kids we would see snow in Late October but over the years it has come later and later. Nowadays we don't expect any real snow until January and a white christmas has been a dream for most years. NEvertheless it's nice to have a little dusting like this to paint the landscape and be thin enough to walk in without the snowshoes. We'll be sure to break them out again once it get deeper.

First Reservoir

2005-11-27T14:57:00.000-05:00

After a Saturday filled with nothing we went out today on a loop we had not visited yet. Starting at the American Tower Gate on Rt. 106, we rounded the First and Second Reservoirs for Letchworth Village on fire roads. We bushwacked up "Big Hill" to a shelter I call the Jerry-O Memorial Shelter, but it was already occupied by leaf-burning crasians. H had had enough fun in the cold by that time so we ate our lunch and took the shortest way back to George.

Annual Post-Thanksgiving Hike

2005-11-25T13:00:00.000-05:00

And so winter begins here in Harriman between Black Rock and Surebridge Mountain. It was the annual day-after-Thanksgiving hike and we had two new members, Buddy J and Brother S, join us to make it a five-pack. At the trailhead we had to rerun the shuttle to grab forgotten boots and J and H were looking pretty "FRAB" ( Freezing as B***s! ). Damn, was it cold out today. Once we got moving, though, things warmed up some as we got out of the woods and onto the gneiss of the Harriman plains. We ran into a group of over a dozen people led by a leashless-dog lady and a pyro in a poncho. They were looking for the stone shelter we were headed for but were traveling in the wrong direction. Although we made it there first we were unable to keep it to ourselves. The place filled up all around us and poncho guy lit up a smoke and started a blaze in the firepit while the lady with the crazy accent let her dogs stick their noses into our lunch and a little kid threw his snack crackers all over the place. Fortunately we were given some peace when they packed up and left. After a little while we packed up ourselves and headed out across the bald rocks down to the trailhead west of Little Long Pond, completing a very cold but quick four-miler. No leftover turkey in this house, so it's gonna be pizza 'n' beer!

Happy Birthday

2005-11-20T08:28:00.000-05:00

Round 3-0 for B.G. Had all the B's up on Saturday night for a lil family celebration for H's 30th birthday. We catered this show with some platters rather than go all out and cook it up. This morning I whipped up a humungous B.I.B. for H and we flopped until 3PM when we went with A & J to the movies to see Walk the Line. A funny thing happened to me on the way home from the theater. We all went to BK for a snack and the counter girl looked at me oddly but didn't saying anything. As we were chowing down, A noticed that I had a good sized piece of popcorn resting visibly on the top button of my shirt. Following BK and my first try at "chicken fries" we all headed across the street to DQ for some soft serve before calling it a day. Nothing like a weekend of bad eating to celebrate getting older. Happy birthday. I love!

Wawayanda Hilton

2005-11-12T11:30:00.000-05:00

Here's H making a journal entry at the Wawayanda Hilton rest stop. The trees have almost entirely shed their foliage and the nights now are too chilled for our three-season bags, so the rains of October weekends officially squashed our plans to backpack this section of the A.T. from Rt. 17A in Warwick, New York, to Rt. 94 in NJ. We took the lesser and southern half of the section begining at the Warwick Turnpike and turned at the trail register, making for a 7.5-mile repeater. No spectacular vistas to speak of and the landscape was mostly pretty bleak and scraggly, so there is little to note. Except, of course, for the hunters. Please correct me if I am wrong, but why are there people with shotguns blasting squirrels in a state park and standing directly on the Appalachian Trail??!! Just off Iron Mountain road was a man with two kids who were shooting right from the trail. Before heading out, we saw a tree or two with No Hunting signs posted on them, and at the parking area, we saw a hunter walk down the trail when we started and one returned from the opposite direction at the trailhead when we were finished. Makes me wonder if it's suddenly become hiker season!!

Zion Canyon

2005-11-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

Zion Canyon National Park in Utah. Skip the busloads of cub scouts, blue hairs, and RV road warriors! We jumped off the road for a hike up a wash into the back country. In the foreground is what looks like an ancient bristlecone pine tree, but I'm not completely sure. We hiked up through the wash of clear creek between Deertrap and Cable mountains.

Great Dunes of Death Valley

2005-11-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Stovepipe Wells Sand Dunes - A dream come true to have the opportunity to return here.

Vegas, Baby!

2005-11-04T20:36:00.000-05:00

What else could make a great year greater?!? All of a sudden and out of nowhere comes a business trip to Vegas the Mecca and gateway to parks of the southwest.

Augusta Mine Loop

2005-10-29T18:07:00.000-04:00

Looks like this jalopy we found needs a tune-up. You can find this cream-puff yourself near the terminus of the Kakiat Trail, which completes the Pound and Dater Mountain loops around the old Augusta and Dater Mine Works in Tuxedo, N.Y. Similarly, there are a dozen such junked cars over on the southeastern side of Harriman State Park along the gas pipeline on Catamount Mountain, just west of Route 202 in Pomona, N.Y. Today was overcast but at least it was the first Saturday in a month that did not threaten with any rain, even though it did snow for about a minute or two. We brought my cousin B & his wife D along with us on this easy stroll, about 4.5 hours for a 4.75-mile loop. H & I have done this loop twice before but figured it was a great place to bring our guests and show off the views from Dater and Pound mountains and the landmarks Elbow Brush and Claudius Smith's Den. We followed the Ramapo-Dunderberg, Tuxedo Mt.-Ivy, and Kakiat trails. The leaves were just starting to turn in this part of the park, and the sun eventually came out, as we neared the end of the hike. After we wrapped up the hiking, we ran over to Rhodes North Tavern, where the beer is always good even though our baked potatoes were mashed and the New York strip steak I ordered when served turned into a T-bone. D's Ceasar salad had tomaotes in it and M & B's salads stayed in the kitchen, never making it to the table. H had trouble eating any of the "German-Quesadilla" but all in all we had a great time just chatting away with the cousins. Special thanks to B for picking up that tab! We'll be sure to take you up to Mt. Fuji on the next trip!

Pine Swamp Mountain

2005-10-23T14:00:00.000-04:00

Despite yesterday's constant rain, we took a quick trip out to Harriman's Pine Swamp Mountain today. Seems we're not the only restless hikers who are tired of the three-peat constant rainy October 2005 weekends: along the way on this 5-mile, 3-hour trip we ran into more people than ever before on any trails in this park. Among the many hikers we saw on route were a band of backpackers who'd spent the night out in the rain, a bunch of just-off-the-bus lost looking folks near the trailhead, and two--two!--dads carrying kids in kid-pouches. Trip began at the Lake Askoti trailhead, and we went up Pine Swamp Mountain until we reached an intersection of multiple trails that's aptly named "Times Square." There we stopped to peek at the map and met some older hikers who wanted to help us find our way on the NYNJTC map, telling us that one man in their group had made that map. Since we have logged many a mile out there, we weren't in need of any such help. We were going to head over to Ship Rock but once we made it to the Harriman plains up on Surebridge Mountain, we snapped a couple of photos and returned to the car via New York's Long Path, passing the glacial erractic landmark named Cape Horn.

Autumn Moon

2005-10-16T03:30:00.000-04:00

The recent celestial recurrance of Ansel Adams' famous "Autumn Moon" photograph is what inspired us to head out to the Kittitiny Ridge early this morning. The past eight days of rain kept us out of the woods on consecutive Saturdays, and we could stay inside no longer. As we sat looking out the window early in the evening at the near full moon and the clear skies, we decided to venture out on our first night hike. After packing the bags with glowsticks, lantern, and flashlights and setting the alarm for 3 a.m., we headed out to the Mashipacong trail head in High Point State Park. Most of the way out there the moon was shining bright with a cloud or two enhancing its essence. Unfortunately as we neared our destination a thick overcast drapery had settled over the region and made lacing up the boots pointless. We carried on heading north and east hoping to find a ridgeline with a viewpoint of the coming sunrise and a trail illuminated by moon, which was creeping closer to the western horizon and losing its brightness by the minute. Needless to say our fall hiking season was thwarted for another weekend. If this doesn't change soon I may have to be commited! If we don't get the chance to walk in a crisp cool breeze under blue skies and a blazing canopy of red, gold and orange.... Well, I'll just go crazy!

Gumbo Du Monde

2005-10-09T14:57:00.000-04:00

Jumbo Gumbo! Since we're bound indoors due to the rain I took on a big project and whipped up a couple of gallons of Gumbo. The only thing this one hasn't got is a Bourbon St. address and enough people to finish it off before it hits the freezer. I got the recipe from Chuck Taggart and his website "The Gumbo Pages." There is a lot of great recipes on the site other than multiple variations of Gumbo. I love Cajun/Creole food and you can't find much of it around here so this was a real treat worth sharing. That's my sous chef the "Swede" at the table overlooking the Mis en Place. From the top left and on you have before you...

5 qt Chicken & Shrimp Stock - Homemade completely from scracth.
Cup Carolina Rice
Ground Black Pepper to taste
2 Chopped Green Bell Peppers
2 Chopped Yellow Onions
8 Cloves Garlic Minced
3lbs Sliced Okra
5 Ribs Chopped Celery
2 Fresh Homemade Jordon Pond Popovers**
Kosher Salt to taste
Creole Seasoning to taste
Tabasco to taste
1.5 Lbs Fresh Andouille Sausage
2Lbs Cubed Chicken Breast
1 Lb Lump Crabmeat
4 Lbs Shrimp guillotined, peeled and deveined
1 Bunch Chopped Parsley
1 Bunch Chopped Scallions
Bowl of Roux also known as "Cajun Napalm"

** H made the awesome popovers for breakfast. The batter mix came from our trip to Jordon's Pond House in Maine's Acadia National Park back in May 04' and we finally had the right oven to bake them. I figured they would go nice dipped into the gumbo - Yum.

Fall Fake Out!

2005-10-08T09:16:00.000-04:00

We had a two day backpacking trip on the A.T. planned for this weekend going from Rout 17A in Warwick, NY to RT 94 in Vernon, NJ. Would've been an easy 15.5 miles, but ahem - CANCELLED! We plan to try another route for next weekend but the extended forcasts say that rain will last forever. We are losing precious autumn Saturdays. The very best time of the year.