Hiking Mount Tammany (Bucket List - check)

A Panoramic View from Mount Tammany

Mount Tammany

If you have traveled along Route 80 between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, you have seen Mount Tammany but may not have known it's name. It is the huge chunk of rock on the New Jersey side of the Delaware Water Gap; Mount Minsi is on the Pennsylvania side. The Delaware Water Gap is a true treasure and a place that I will never cease to be in awe of.

Joey Enjoying the View

In the past I have twice tried hiking to the summit of Mount Tammany only to be turned away. If memory serves me the first time was in 1985 - this was to be an overnight camping trip with a friend but shortly after we began our trek up the Red Dot Trail he became ill and we had to turn back. I returned a few years later (1988? 1989?) to attempt a solo camp-out only to injure my knee, again on the Red Dot Trail, and needing someone to help me back to the car. I vowed that, one day, I would make it to the top. I finally made it last Friday and this post is all about the adventure. There are a few routes to the top of the mountain but the most popular would be the Red Dot Trail up and the Blue Blaze Trail on the way down. The last half-mile follows Dunnfield Creek trail. This is the recommended route since the Red Dot Trail can be very difficult to navigate on the way down. I was accompanied by my son, Joey, on this trip and I don't think I would have been successful without him.

Looking Down the Red Dot Trail

The Trails

The Red Dot Trail

The Red Dot Trail is a very challenging trail with steep climbs and more than a few rock scrambles. It is about 1.5 miles to the summit of Mount Tammany along this route with a change in elevation of more than 1,200 feet. The trail is almost entirely rock once you get past the stairs at the beginning of the trail. Fortunately, it is solid rock and it doesn't move when you step on it.

The Blue Blaze Trail

The Blue Blaze Trail is 1.7 miles, again, with an elevation change of more than 1,200 feet. The trail isn't as challenging as the Red Dot but it has it's own challenges. The trail is not as rocky as the Red Dot but a lot of the rocks are loose and there is a good layer of leaves to go along with them. This makes the footing a bit tricky at times when a rock moves under foot or you step on some leaves onto the point of a rock. You also have to work hard to maintain control because gravity wants to get you to the bottom far faster than is safe.

Dunnfield Creek Trail

The Dunnfield Creek Trail connects the Blue Blaze Trail to the parking lot. I had hiked this trail once before, in November 2018, and wrote about it for my other blog. If you want to learn more about the trail, check out A Brief Hike Along the Appalachian Trail

Steep and not much room for error

The Hike

The Ascent - Red Dot Trail

When we arrived at the parking lot it was almost 3/4 full and it was only a bit past 11:00 in the morning. I was very surprised to find that many people on a Friday morning. I stopped along the way to pick up some granola bars and snack crackers to eat along the way so we stashed them in our packs, checked to be sure we had enough Propel¹ and were on the trail by 11:20 AM. Earlier I mentioned that I don't think I would have been successful were my son not with me and I meant it. To backtrack a little, I went hiking at Turkey Swamp Park the day before and my knees were a bit sore from that hike; I probably would have changed my destination to a less challenging one if I were going alone. We had planned this hike for a couple weeks and I wasn't going to back out now. The beginning of the trail is a steep series of steps created with, what appear to be, railroad ties. I had climbed about 50 or 60 yards (I'm guessing) when my legs got a bit tired. This was, in part, due to the soreness of my knees but also the weight of the pack and the fact that I am not as fit as I thought I was. It was about 10 minutes into the hike that I began to wonder how I was ever going to get back to the car but was determined not to quit this time - we were getting to the top!

The Delaware River

I took the lead, cautiously picking a path along the rocks while keeping an eye out for snakes🐍. Yes, there are snakes in the woods, and bears🐻, more about that later. The trail was steep but the ground solid so there was no fear of sliding. To my surprise, there was a good amount of traffic going down the trail; when someone approached I stepped to the side, letting them by while also taking a brief break. It wasn't too long before we can to a spot that I thought might be the clincher; a solid wall of rock, about five or six feet high and no way to hike around it. I looked at Joey and then back at the rock. We found some ridges in the rock that we could step on and carefully made our way to the top of it. The rest of the way to the top was just finding the easiest route thru the rocks. I had a few criteria for the route - minimal step up height was primary but I was also staying away from anything that looked like a good place for snakes.

This is the top. Right?

We finally saw a clearing and when we stepped out of the woods the view was breathtaking. This was, I thought, the peak; the hardest part of the journey is behind us. We took our packs off, had a drink and I took out my camera and tripod. This was also a good time to eat a bit. The image, Joey Enjoying the View, was captured at this spot. I also shot, The Delaware River, at this location. While I was looking for compositions, Joey chatted with a young couple sitting on a nearby rock. They said that, shortly before our arrival, a Cessna flew thru the valley at just about eye level - about 1,400 feet. We were there for about 15 or 20 minutes before I grabbed a quick picture of us with my phone and we got back on the trail for our descent, or so we thought.

We were wrong.... We had about another 20 minutes or so before reaching the summit and another spectacular view of the Gap.

The Descent - Blue Blaze Trail

We rested at the summit for a short time before reaching the Blue Blaze Trail and the way down. As I mentioned earlier, going down turned out to be almost as challenging as going up due to loose rocks, leaves and gravity. It was also due, in no small part, to my physical condition and the fact that my legs were turning into rubber.... There are no grand vistas to take in on the way down but you are surrounded by thickening forest and it's natural beauty. As Lord Byron once wrote, "There is pleasure in the pathless woods...." and while we were not in a "pathless woods" I can't think of many places more pleasureful and peaceful.

We stopped more often on the way down for a couple of reasons, not the least of which was to give my legs a bit of a rest. We got passed by many people and while I admired their tirelessness I also thought they were missing out on the experience. I know that many make this hike a part of their routine and have probably hiked it as many times as I have the woods in my backyard but there is always something new to be experienced if you are willing to open yourself to your surroundings. I hope a hike in the woods never gets to be "routine" or simply exercise; I want to experience every hike as though it was my first time.

I didn't take my camera out of the bag on our way down, woodland photography is an art all it's own and not one that I am particularly skilled at. I was also anxious to get to Dunnfield Creek and the waterfall. There were more than a few times when I saw a bend in the trail and thought we would see the footbridge over Dunnfield Creek when we got to it, only to learn that I was mistaken. We had come to a few of these bends before Joey stopped and said that he heard water. That's it!

Dunnfield Creek
smartphone from bench

Dunnfield Creek Trail

We finally made it to Dunnfield Creek and we settled down on a bench overlooking the falls and creek below. The water level was much lower than when I was there last (see A Brief Hike Along the Appalachian Trail) but it was truly a spectacular sight. It was at this point I grew frustrated with myself because I simply didn't have the energy to properly shoot the scene. I grabbed a couple images with my phone before we headed over the bridge and down the trail to the parking lot. It is a bit over a half-mile to the Dunnfield Creek trail head from here, relatively flat and easy going. There are some rocks and roots to contend with but the hike is one that just about anyone could handle without stress. It may also be the most beautiful section of the hike.

The creek is in view the entire way and there are countless small waterfalls and rapids but this is just part of the beauty. The area surrounding the creek is full of color from moss growing on rocks, the fallen leaves and other vegetation. The downside, from a photography standpoint, is that getting down to the water is no easy feat and, at times, not even a possibility. The last time I was there I found an outcropping of rocks that afforded a great view but we must have passed it before I thought to check it out again. We did find another area with a view, a somewhat more treacherous spot to get to but worthwhile. I made a note to stop there when I next hike the trail.

Dunnfield Creek
smartphone from footbridge

The End

After nearly four (4) hours of hiking (and time spent resting....) we reached the Dunnfield Creek trail head and parking lot. We made it! Well, we almost made it. When we got to the parking lot I realized that the smart hikers were parked in this lot but we still had a bit of hiking left because we parked in the Red Dot Trail lot. It isn't a great distance but it would have been wiser to park at Dunnfield. There is a sign signaling the Red Dot Trail trail head, accompanied by a sign to beware of the two (2) types of venomous snakes inhabiting the area. Immediately beyond the signs were lay the trail with a series of steps leading up - I was on level ground and didn't think another ascent, no matter how short, was going to go well so we opted for a slightly longer walk along the road.

We finally reached the parking lot but there was no sign of my car! I had been worrying about getting back to find the rear window broken out because I accidentally left a camera out - Joey was going to use my spare camera but I forgot to give it to him. I didn't realize this until we were to far along the trail to go back. While I was prepared to see a break-in, I wasn't prepared to find the car had been stolen! We both looked at each other, that was when I realized he thought the car was gone too. It turns out it was still there, a large pickup truck was parked next to us and completely blocked the car from our view. The camera was also right where I left it.

I was exhausted! Joey offered to drive but, having seen Disturbia more times than I can count, I told him I was okay to drive. (If you don't get the reference, I suggest watching the movie - a modern take on Rear Window.) We headed back along Rt 80 towards our reward - The After! I've written of The After before, a childhood favorite restaurant in Flanders that we introduced the kids to when my daughter started school in Pennsylvania. We don't get there as much since she graduated so it is regarded as a special treat. We had our dinner, I got my ice cream and then we headed for home. We arrived home some time around 7:00 PM, having left at a little past 9:00 AM, exhausted and filled with memories that will last a lifetime.

Bears 🐻 and Snakes 🐍

I mentioned bears and snakes earlier in the story and wanted to touch upon the subject before I finish. It is important to understand that this is bear country and the possibility of an encounter is ever-present. I wasn't too concerned on this trip due to the large number of people on the trail, the bears nature is to avoid human contact so it would have been very unusual for one to be anywhere in the area. The mountain is also home to New Jersey's only two (2) venomous snakes - the timber rattlesnake and copperhead. I have a friend who frequents Mount Tammany and just this year he has encountered rattlesnakes more than once. They love to get into crevices of rocks and so you should never put a hand or foot somewhere that you cannot see into. I would suggest reading about snakes and bears prior to visiting this area, know what to look for and what to do if you have an encounter - the life you safe may be your own.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about our adventure - I know I enjoyed reliving it while writing this and will relive the adventure, treasuring the memories, until my last breath.

---

Notes:
¹ Propel is a zero-calorie sports drink and comes in a variety of flavors. If you're curious, we had Mandarin Orange and Black Cherry on this trip. 😉

---

All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

---

The Jersey Devil

This isn’t about the New Jersey Devils, the hockey team. This is about THE Jersey Devil. Mrs. Leeds’ 13th child and the scourge of the Pine Barrens. If you have never heard of the Jersey Devil, let me give you a brief lesson.

There are many possible origins of the Jersey Devil legend. The earliest legends date back to Native American folklore. The Lenni Lenape tribes called the area around Pine Barrens “Popuessing”, meaning “place of the dragon”. Swedish explorers later named it “Drake Kill”, “drake” being a word for dragon, and “kill” meaning channel or arm of the sea (river, stream, etc.) in Dutch. The common accepted origin of the story, as far as New Jerseyans are concerned, started with Mother Leeds and is as follows:

“It was said that Mother Leeds had 12 children and, after finding she was pregnant for the 13th time, stated that this one would be the Devil. In 1735, Mother Leeds was in labor on a stormy night. Gathered around her were her friends. Mother Leeds was supposedly a witch and the child’s father was the Devil himself. The child was born normal, but then changed form. It changed from a normal baby to a creature with hooves, a goat’s head, bat wings and a forked tail. It growled and screamed, then killed the midwife before flying up the chimney. It circled the villages and headed toward the pines. In 1740 a clergy exorcised the demon for 100 years and it wasn’t seen again until 1890.” “Mother Leeds” has been identified by some as Deborah Leeds. This identification may have gained credence from the fact that Deborah Leeds’ husband, Japhet Leeds, named twelve children in the will he wrote in 1736, which is compatible with the legend of the Jersey Devil being the thirteenth child born by Mother Leeds. Deborah and Japhet Leeds also lived in the Leeds Point section of what is now Atlantic County, New Jersey, which is the area commonly said to be the location of the Jersey Devil story.

Pretty wild, huh? What do you think? Is the Jersey Devil fact or fiction?

Let me tell you a personal story and then I will ask you again…. When I was a Boy Scout back in the 70’s we used to take an annual trip to Buck Town, a hunting cabin deep in the Pine Barrens. It was a trip we looked forward to each year and one that we allowed the Webloes to attend. The cabin had two (2) triple bunk beds in each room, a kitchen and living room with fireplace. Saturday night the adults would cook a spaghetti dinner while we sat in the living room playing cards or telling stories. One of the highlights of the trip was the annual Snipe Hunt. If you have never been on a Snipe Hunt I can only say that you don’t know what you are missing. You should call a friend who has participated in a hunt and ask him to organize one for you. We also took hikes in the woods that we quite fun; with one exception. It was my second or third trip to Buck Town and we went on a hike after it got dark. We were all together walking along one of the service roads. We weren’t making much noise, just listening to the sounds of the woods and taking in the fresh air. All of a sudden the quiet was broken by a blood curdling scream coming from the woods! We all looked around and noticed that someone was missing; the scoutmaster’s son was gone and so was one of our leaders! They were bringing up the rear of the group and now they were gone without a trace! The screaming was followed by the sound of something running through the woods and more screaming but this time it sounded like two people. After what seemed like an eternity the sounds faded and then were gone. We hadn’t moved an inch since we first heard the screams. When we were finally able to do something the scoutmaster said we should all go back to the cabin and wait for his son and the assistant leader to return. It was maybe 15 minutes later that they did return; but they looked awful. Their clothes were torn and they were covered in dirt. They had wandered off the trail just a bit to look at something that caught their eye. It just so happens that it was the Jersey Devil and they had caught his eye, too! The devil took a swipe and ripped someone’s pants and then they took off for their lives with him in hot pursuit. We don’t know how they got away but I never forgot what happened and I doubt anyone else has either.

So, what do you think now? Is the Jersey Devil fact or fiction?

You can read more about the Jersey Devil by following these links:

• Weird NJ: The Jersey Devil
• Pinelands Preservation Alliance: Jersey Devil & Folklore

A Simpler Time

I have a few favorite locations that I go to and each has something different that draws me to them. This image was taken one morning on my way to the office at a small park in Freehold, New Jersey. They pack a lot into this park - there is an arboretum, a wildflower field and this small lake. I am drawn to the lake, as I am to most bodies of water.

I stopped at the park on this day because there was a low fog that I was hoping to capture hanging over the lake. As you can see, it was gone by the time this image was made. I knew there was an image to be had; the light was rather flat but the colors were beautiful and I am a sucker for a good reflection. I had my camera set up and shot composed but was waiting for the sun to peek thru the clouds to light up the trees at the far end of the lake. In the meantime I took this shot with my smartphone to post on social media.

When I looked at the image I decided to "play" with it a bit, opening it in Photoshop Express, muting the color and adding a bit of a vignette. In the end, this is what I decided was "the" image. It reminded me of an old photograph that you come across while looking for something else. A nice little surprise trip down "Memory Lane". Looking at it brings me back to a simpler time in my life and I get a bit nostalgic.

As a photographer, my biggest decision would have been film choice - slides or negatives? In life, the big decision was where to eat and what movie to see on the weekend. Now I am thinking about exposure blending, focus stacking, panorama, editing and color balance - just to name a few. In life there are car and mortgage payments, food, kids, work, etc....

Looking back, I can't imagine why we were all in such a hurry to grow up!

Oh, by the way - this image is the same location with some low hanging fog. It was shot some time prior to the autumn shot.

---

All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

---

The Two Most Important Days in Your Life

The Quote

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. - Mark Twain

I saw this quote while watching JEOPARDY! one night; I immediately looked it up and bookmarked it. What a powerful quote! It got me thinking about the "why" and whether I have found mine yet.

I filed it away but started really thinking about it a few days later. At first I decided it was wrong - there are far more than two important days in many of our lives; getting married, having children, choosing a career, etc... Then I realized he wasn't just talking about important days but the most important days - what a difference that one word makes. Even when I made the distinction between "important" and "most important" I had trouble; I guess the trouble is that I think there are more than two days.

We don't have any say in the first day - we don't ask to be born and don't pick the circumstances - but the second day is the truly special one. I don't think we have a say in the "second" day, either; I think it just happens and we may not even notice for a long time. Naturally, the days that my children were born would have to be the most important for that was when I became responsible for someone other than myself. That is a shared "most important" day as I share that responsibility with my wife. There are other monumental events that would fall into the same category; meeting my wife, getting married, choosing a profession, etc... but I think the quote points to something a bit more abstract.

I have given this a lot of thought and think I know the second day. It would have been some time around mid-October in 2007 - the day I first volunteered for the JDRF Walk for a Cure in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey. I didn't know it at the time but that would be the first of many times I have volunteered for a good cause. The first year I worked in the "Counting Room" going thru envelopes and counting money. It felt good to be helping but....

My "Why"

Team Photographer for JDRF - 2008 thru 2013

In 2008 I volunteered as a Team Photographer and continued in the job thru 2013. It was while volunteering as a photographer I learned the "why" but I don't think I realized it for a few years. You see, photography has always been something I loved and it was something I did primarily for me (you can read about my obsession here - Why Photography?). I would show my work to people but the underlying reason for shooting was to satisfy something deep inside of me. Volunteering as a photographer allowed me to use my skills to help others. Participants in the walk were so happy to have a group photo, it made me feel good that I could give them something in return for their supporting diabetes research. After the 2013 walk it was time for me to move on.

Event Photographer - 2014 thru ?

Immediately after deciding not to return to the JDRF walks I started looking for new opportunities. I had been wanting to volunteer with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) for a few years but always forgot until I saw someone post they had just walked.... I also wanted to get involved with the Lustgarten Foundation. Within days of my last JDRF walk, I found local Lustgarten Foundation and AFSP walks; they weren't until June and September, respectively, but I wrote right away. I got my answer from both rather quickly - YES! I wasn't going to be a Team Photographer - I was going to be an Event Photographer. I covered both events in 2014 and started looking for more - in 2018 I covered six (6) between May and November. I truly believe this is my "why", as well as why I was given the gift of photography.

Working as an event photographer is hard work but it may very well be the most rewarding work I have ever done. I get to meet some truly incredible people, while collecting memories of the day for them to re-live over and over again. Someone asked me if I got paid for my work, I replied, "Yes, with smiles, laughs, high-fives and 'thank-you's!" That is far more satisfying than money will ever be.

So, while I can't pinpoint an exact date, I do believe I know when I discovered my "why." Have you found yours? If so, what did you find? Let me know in the comment section below.

You can't always choose the path that you walk in life....

You can't always choose the path that you walk in life, but you can always choose the manner in which you walk it. - John O'Leary

Self-portrait
Monmouth Battlefield State Park

I forget where I saw this quote but I grabbed it as soon as I did. It is seldom I come across something that rings as true as this. Other, similar, sayings come to mind like "play the hand that is dealt you" and "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." They are not exactly the same but the sentiment is close. There are those who get the world handed to them and those who have to fight for everything they have. We have very little control over much of what goes on in our lives but there is one thing that we have total control over - how we behave and how we react to events in our lives, the good and the bad.

When your feeling down, it is easy to think that life dealt you a lousy hand. You feel that no matter what you try to do, you can't seem to get ahead so - why bother? You think, "I'm not giving up, I'm facing reality. It doesn't matter what I do." We've all had these feelings at some point in our lives; at least I know that I have. It may have been a teacher who decided you were a "C student" and no matter what you did, you were getting a C. The boss who rides you like a rented mule for no apparent reason or, maybe, no matter how hard you try you just don't seem to get the recognition that you feel you deserve. When faced with these situations you are presented with a choice - accept it and give up or you can resign yourself to the fact that you can't please everyone and continue being the best version of you possible.

It's not easy but, in my humble opinion, the only person you need to satisfy is the one looking back at you in the mirror. In life there are no guarantees but I believe there is always promise. The promise that, if you work hard, you can succeed. There will, invariably, be setbacks (or speed bumps as I have heard said) along the way but if taken in stride you will eventually reach your destination. Don't give up and don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something or that you aren't good enough.

There will be obstacles that you cannot overcome; don't let them define you. Use your setbacks as learning experiences and you will find fewer obstacles as you go forward.

Ice Cream, Oh How I Love You!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

I can't remember if I first heard that rhyme from my grandmother or her sister, Inez. Now, I don't know about you but I love ice cream and so did Inez! If it were up to me ice cream would be it's own food group and we would be required to eat at least one serving with each meal.

Last week's stroll down Memory Lane was all about my grandmother and popcorn (Popcorn and Sleeping at Grandma's house), this week is all about ice cream! Ice cream, for me, is more than a delicious cold treat, it is a big part of my life with scores of memories in each scoop. When I was growing up I spent two (2) weeks each summer visiting Inez along with my brother and sister. This was the highlight of my summer and it usually started right around July 4th. My grandmother's other sister, Viola, would host a big family reunion and then we would go from there to Inez's. She lived in a big farmhouse that belonged to my great-grandparents and it had a small, enclosed porch in the back. This porch housed the most important appliance in the house - a large chest freezer! The freezer had three or four compartments and I remember the furthest one from the door was filled with ice cream. All kinds of ice cream! Every night we would get a big bowl of ice cream to eat while watching television - shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Chiller Theatre, Creature Feature and The Twilight Zone - just to name my favorites. I often had butterscotch and maybe chopped nuts on mine. If we had gone out to eat for dinner it is quite possible we had ice cream for dessert but that wouldn't stop us from having it while watching television, too.

It has been more than 40 years since I spent a summer there - my siblings and I replaced by cousins - and the house, unfortunately, is no longer in the family but I still love having ice cream while watching television at night. I don't have a chest freezer (yet) and don't have ice cream every night but when I do I am instantly transported back to Flanders and the green vinyl easy chair that I sat in. When I was little we both sat in the chair together but as I got older the chair became "my spot" when I was there.

Not all of my ice cream memories come from my summers in Flanders and not all involve watching television. I can't eat a Good Humor bar - especially the Strawberry Shortcake - without thinking of church, Dilger's Market and my aunts, Chris and Cindy. I will explain. Most Sunday mornings I would go to Sunday School and then go back to my grandmother's house. There would be me, my brother and sister, and my aunts, who are only 10 and 11 years older than I. On the way home from church we would stop at Dilger's Market where my grandmother would get her newspapers and we would each get a Good Humor bar - I typically got the Strawberry Shortcake. I don't know when the market closed but it has been a very long time and I don't believe any store took it's place; the building is still there, boarded up and long since abandoned but I got a craving for a Strawberry Shortcake Good Humor bar....

Then there is Dairy Queen. My Little League team, the Lions, was coached by Mr. Marks. The Marks' lived a couple houses away from me and Johnny was one of my first friends when we moved there shortly after my 5th birthday. Mr. Marks coached Little League since before we even started playing and everyone in the neighborhood who played baseball played for the Lions. There were no exceptions that I know of. We always had a really good team and won most of the time. When we won we would all pile into a few cars - back then it was okay - and go to Dairy Queen for a celebratory ice cream cone. The big treat was the addition of the hard shell coating that we got on the cones. Years later I worked for a company just a few miles from the same Dairy Queen and would go there for lunch some days. Guess what I had for dessert when I did.... Every time I see a Dairy Queen I think of baseball, Little League and the friends I played with.

My parents used to take us to Carvel for an occasional treat. I remember that my "usual" was a sundae with vanilla soft serve and wet walnut topping. I still love that sundae but there aren't a lot of Carvel's around anymore. The one that we used to frequent is still an ice cream place but it is a privately owned store.

I think this is a good place to stop - I could go on for a while and have more stories but I heard you are supposed to "leave them wanting more" and so I stop. What are your ice cream inspired memories? What is your favorite flavor? I'd love to hear from you.

Popcorn and Sleeping at Grandma's house

My wife and I visited with my aunt yesterday and she was telling us about a conversation she had with one of her grandchildren. He wanted to tell her that they ran out of "Grandma Cookies" and needed more. She is known for her cookies and her grandchildren look forward to the care packages. She turned to me and asked if there was something that my grandmother did and then she answered herself with "Pepperidge Farm Coconut Cake". That has been one of my favorite cakes for as long as I can remember, I also loved my grandmother's lemon bundt cake with lemon glaze. These are very strong cherished memories but the #1 thing is popcorn! I don't know if my grandmother made popcorn for me because I loved it or if I loved it because my grandmother made it for me. I do know that whenever I sit down with a bowl of popcorn, I am a kid again, sitting on my grandmother's couch watching television.

I have read that popcorn is a healthy, low-fat, low-calorie snack - yeah, maybe, but not the good popcorn. I want my popcorn popped in oil and covered in melted butter and salt. The "good for you" stuff is popped with hot air with little to no butter - you can salt that stuff for days and nothing will stick to it. You may as well be eating a rice cake....

When I was growing up the big treat was spending the night at my grandmother's house. I remember begging to go over on a Saturday night. I would sleep on the couch in the living room where I would lie and watch television - often it was the "NBC Saturday Night at the Movies". If memory serves me correctly the first time I ever saw "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" was when it ran on Saturday Night at the Movies. It was always a treat staying at my grandmother's house but what stands out most is having popcorn. She would pop it on the stove in a big pot and then put it in individual bowls with lots of salt and butter. There was also a glass of milk to go with it - I don't think I ever drank a soda in her house. For me, the popcorn was a great treat but the real treat were the pieces that stuck to the bottom of the pot and got a bit burned. You know the ones I mean - they are perfectly white but they have that one, flat, side that is black. I loved those! That is not something you can get any way other than cooking in a pot with oil - well, Jiffy Pop was good for the burnt kernels, too!

When I got older and lived on my own I would use a pot and make popcorn like my grandmother used to make. I then read somewhere that a wok was the best vessel for popping so I tried it. It was great! There were a number of advantages - it was easier to shake, it held more popcorn and it actually used less oil. There came a time when the wok was used only for popcorn and we bought a new one for everything else. One reason for this is because after a while there were spots where the burnt popcorn left remnants. That wok is long gone and replaced by a popper with a rotating handle. This is a great popper but by keeping the kernels moving they don't get a chance to burn.... I am tempted to let it sit for a minute when the popping is done but the rest of the family doesn't like the smell and I am afraid to leave it too long and end up with that big black mass of cinder you get when you really over do it.

So, are you a popcorn lover? How do you pop yours? Do you eat it "straight" - butter and salt - or do you like it flavored? Cheese? Caramel? Spicy? What about microwave popcorn? I didn't even get into that. I like microwave popcorn for the convenience but prefer the old-fashioned way. Now for the most important question - where do you stand on the burnt kernels? Let me know in the comments below.

---

Image attribution

popcorn-782310
Image by delgraphica from Pixabay

popcorn-1554170
Image by 41330 from Pixabay

The Ups and Downs of Roller Coasters and Kids

Roller Coasters

I fell in love with riding roller coasters when I was 15 years old. My first "real" roller coaster was Space Mountain at Walt Disney World in Florida. It was our family vacation in February 1975 and the ride opened only the month before. If you aren't familiar with the ride, it is an indoor roller coaster designed to simulate space flight - including re-entry. You are in the dark with the only light coming from the illuminated sides of the cars. I first rode with my father and, I will admit, I was rather frightened. In the end, I enjoyed it so much I couldn't wait to go back on! I did go back, alone, one more time before we left and I was officially hooked on coasters. I got back to Disney only one more time - my parents took my family on a trip in January 2000 - and I rode Space Mountain again. This trip I discovered the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith. This, too, is an indoor coaster and I rode it twice (three times?) - one after the other.

My experience with roller coasters was mostly a lonely one but for the few times we were with friends who enjoy the thrill. I was hoping to get my children as coaster companions and I did, to a degree.

Kiddie Coasters

I mentioned being in Disney with the kids - they were 6 1/2 and 5 and too young for roller coasters. Well, not quite. There was a "kiddie coaster" that they wanted to ride - it may have been Goofy's Barnstormer - and they wanted me to ride with them. I'm not sure how many times we rode it but it was more than once and it was a tight fit each time. I believe this was their only roller coaster encounter until we went to Dorney Park for the first time a few years later.

The Woodstock Express is a kiddie coaster at Dorney Park - it doubles as a torture device for their parents. This was a ride they wanted to go on a lot! I'm guessing we went at least three or four times and they loved it; I think I had bruises on my legs for days afterward due to small cars and bracing myself so as to not bang into the kids. The sacrifices we make.... It was during that trip that I first discovered Steel Force. The first drop is 205' and during the ascent you cannot see anything but the trees and then the park laid out in front of you. Unlike every other roller coaster I have been on, you cannot see the track or walkway on the ascent - you feel like you are suspended in air! It didn't take long before I started to get uneasy (I absolutely hate the ascent) and decided to focus on the head of the person in front of me; when his head was gone I knew I was about to go over the top. What a wild ride! There was also a green, looping coaster called "Laser" and the wooden coaster, "Thunderhawk". I rode them all - alone.

We went back to Dorney Park in 2008 and this time I was able to avoid Woodstock and I got both kids on a coaster that I cannot remember the name of but it is similar to "Trailblazer" at Hershey Park. That is a reasonably mild coaster and from there I was able to convince them to try "Thunderhawk". That was a big step for them but they survived and enjoyed themselves. I thought I would press my luck and get them on Steel Force but they wouldn't go. I knew my daughter wasn't going to like it but worked on my son (13 at the time) and finally convinced him to ride with me. This was, without a doubt, the most fun I have ever had on a roller coaster!

YAY! We survived Steel Force!

Steel Force

This was quite a big leap for someone who had just ridden his first "real" roller coaster earlier in the day. He was doing great until we started to climb. That is the first time I heard him say, "I hate you!" but, believe me, it was not the last! It became his mantra throughout the ride, interrupted only by an occasional, "I can't breathe!" Now, before you think I am heartless or that he was in distress - he was able to breathe. He repeated "I hate you!" and "I can't breathe!" right up to when we slowed down before entering the station. By this time my side hurt and I had tears rolling down my face from laughing. He looked at me and let me know that he enjoyed the ride. I asked if he wanted to go on again, "NO!" That was good, I can only take the ride once per outing.

Laser

Laser was a green, looping roller coaster at Dorney Park. I had ridden it a few times in previous trips and now I was hoping to take my son for a ride. I figured, after Steel Force, it would be an easy sale. "NO! I am not going on a looping roller coaster!" Well, maybe I was wrong. I worked on him a little bit, told him after Steel Force this was like riding Woodstock Express; after a few minutes he relented. However, he was only going to go on it once! There was no hate on this ride and everyone was able to breathe just fine. When the ride was over he looked at me and asked, "Can we go again?" Sure! Why not?

Trailblazer

It has been quite some time since we've all gone to an amusement park together. Last month we took a family vacation to Hershey Park, along with my daughter's boyfriend. The first ride we hit was Trailblazer and all four of us went - my wife doesn't "do" coasters of any kind. It was fun to be back on a coaster with the kids and we ended up on Trailblazer twice but with time in-between. Trailblazer doesn't go very high or very fast but there are some nice, tight turns and the ride is quite smooth. I heard some chatter from my daughter and boyfriend behind me but can't remember anything more than the normal roller coaster screams. That was the only coaster we all went on that day - in fact, it was the only coaster I went on with my children. I knew my daughter wasn't going to ride others but was a bit disappointed that my son wasn't quite feeling up to it. I did ride the wooden coasters with my daughter's boyfriend and watched with the others while he braved some of the other steel coasters.

What's Next?

I'm afraid my coaster days are winding down and fear this trip may have been the last opportunity to ride with them. I have developed a horrible fear of heights and I get very anxious during the ascent. I experienced this anxiety on each of the wooden coasters I rode at Hershey and was afraid to ride the bigger coasters. This is a new phenomena for me and a very disturbing one. I also found the violent movements of the wooden coasters to be a bit much and was actually sore the next day. I guess it may be back to the "kiddie coasters" for me when it comes time to take grandchildren to the parks.

We Don't Want to Take a Nap!

It's Nap Time!

Ah... naptime! It quickly becomes one of the favorite times of day for any parent. It doesn't even matter who is taking the nap - it could be the kids or you! This story is all about naptime and a little secret weapon you may want to add to your arsenal.

Saturdays

When the kids were small, and still taking naps, my wife worked on Saturdays leaving me with the children. We had a lot of fun on those days - we might go out to lunch, go to the park, play in the yard or, if the weather wasn't great, we would play with big cardboard bricks or the "Lego"-like wipes boxes (empty, of course.) I don't know who had more fun, me or the kids, but the fun was real and we still laugh about some of the stuff to this day.

As much fun as we had there was still the matter of the afternoon nap - necessary to ensure an absence of crankiness as the day wore on; mine and theirs. It started to get progressively more difficult to get them down for a nap but one day the heavens opened and an angel delivered unto me the perfect weapon - deceit! 😇

My wife and I had a wooden, queen-sized bed at the time and the kids started wanting to sleep in it. They were big enough so that I didn't have to worry about them falling out but I tucked them in pretty good anyway. This particular afternoon they were adamantly against going to sleep but I had a plan. Once I got them to lie down in the bed I told them about the "contest".

The Contest

The winner of the contest did not have to take a nap; this got their attention. The rules were simple - they had to lie still, eyes closed and no talking. The kid that stayed awake the longest was the winner and didn't have to take a nap! I started the contest and told them I would be back in a few minutes to see who won. Can you guess who won? Yes, it was me because both kids were asleep almost before I got to the end of the hallway. I have to be honest, I certainly did not expect this to work but it did. When my wife got home we all told her about the contest.

Now, as surprised as I was that the "contest" worked, I was twice as surprised when it worked a second time! Yes, that right! The following Saturday we played the same game at naptime and they fell asleep without a fight. Sadly, this was the last time it worked - despite my best efforts. I even try it now, more than twenty years later, but they just look at me and walk away shaking their heads. Now it seems my wife and I are the only ones who take naps and I am okay with that.

---

Both images were obtained from Pixabay and require no attribution.

---

MOMMY! DADDY! There's A Monster Under the Bed!

The Roommate

Monsters!

Last month I wrote "Do You Believe In Magic?", a story about my children and some magic sand I bought. The response was better than I expected and I was encouraged to write more stories like that one. This is another story about the kids.

HELP!

My children are eighteen months apart in age and, until my daughter was about five or six, they shared a room. This story takes place during the time they shared the room with an uninvited roommate. It all started one night after my wife and I put the kids to bed. We had settled in to watch some television and enjoy some "quiet time" when we heard someone cry out. We went down the hall to their room to find both of them awake and scared. Apparently there was a monster, maybe even more than one, under their beds.

Tucked Away

My wife and I each looked under a bed only to discover that the monster had gone away. We looked all over - the closet, behind the dresser, behind the curtains, you name it and we looked. When everyone was satisfied that the monster was gone I gave a stern warning to any monsters thinking about visiting the kids. We said goodnight and left them, once again, for the Sandman.

The next night, shortly after saying goodnight we were informed that the monster had returned! It would seem that the monster did not take my warning seriously and decided to test me. Once again, we searched the entire room warning the monster the entire time. The cowardly monster had fled before we could catch him. The warning was repeated, everyone got tucked into bed and the Sandman cometh.

Do I have to tell you what happened the next night? The night after that and the night after that? This damned monster was really starting to become a nuisance! I had visions of this going on for a long time and had to find a way to put an end to it, but how? Have you ever found yourself in a predicament when suddenly the answer comes to you out of nowhere? Yea, it does not happen to me very often either but it happened that night.

The Boots

The Secret Weapon

I winked at my wife, told the kids I would be right back and went to my bedroom. I grabbed a pair of old work boots that I had, returned to the kids’ room and put the boots in the middle of their bedroom floor. I raised my voice and announced to the monster that I was tired of him bothering my children and I was going to stay in their room until he showed his ugly face. I whispered to the kids that the monster can see the shoes but doesn’t know they are empty so he will stay away.

We tucked them in, said goodnight and walked away praying the boots would somehow keep the monster at bay. They slept well that night but the real test was going to come tomorrow.

Sleeping

The next night we put them to bed but before turning out the lights, I announced that I was going to be waiting for the monster and put the boots in the middle of the floor. We went to the living room expecting to hear a scream but it never came. We gave it some time and after about an hour we checked on them – sound asleep. It worked!

I’m not sure how many nights the boots were in their room but I do know we didn’t have to worry about monsters under the beds anymore. The monsters IN the beds – well, that’s another story for another time, but they have turned into some pretty amazing adults so…. 😛

---

"The Roommate" - Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

"Tucked Away" - Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

"The Boots" - Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

"Sleeping" - Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

---

Do you believe in magic?

So, do you believe in magic? I don't mean the magic in a young girl's heart, I mean real magic. Like stuff mysteriously appearing out of thin air? If you answered, no, then let me take this opportunity to change your mind.

The Magic Sand

This particular feat of magic took place in the late 20^th century in my own backyard. It was the beginning of summer and the kids wanted a sandbox to play in. I was able to find a nice, turtle-shaped sandbox but none of the stores had sand. I spent days trying to find a store with sand, traveling 100's of miles, but there wasn't a grain to be had. I was about to give up when I saw store with a sign in the window reading, "Magic Sand Sold Here." I didn't believe in "magic sand" but I was desperate so I went in.

When I opened the door I immediately saw an old woman sitting behind the counter - she looked to be 100 years old and she turned her head in my direction as I walked in. I told her my tale and that I was desperate for about 200 pounds of sand for my children's sandbox. She held a crooked finger in the air and, with her other hand reached under the counter. When her hand reappeared she was holding a small plastic bag with about a half-cup of sand. I took the bag and laughed! How was I going to fill a sandbox with a half-cup of sand? She told me it was "magic sand", I was to put it in the sandbox, say the magic words, cover the sandbox and the next morning it will be full.

Well... I knew someone was full of something but I was desperate. I paid $10 for the bag of sand and went home to my wife and children. My wife gave me a "look" when I told everyone about the sand and asked if I had any "magic beans", too. It was getting late so we dumped the sand into the sandbox, said the magic words and put the cover on. I'm not sure who was more curious the next morning, me or the kids. We had our breakfast and went outside to check the sandbox. I had already come up with a story about why the sandbox was still empty but, lo and behold!, when we removed the cover the sandbox was full! I know what you are thinking but it's true! You can ask my wife and kids - some time between when the kids went to bed and we finished eating breakfast the sandbox filled up with sand. It truly was magic.

Do you believe now?

Well? Do you?

Let me ask you another question. Have you ever noticed that in the middle of the word "believe" is the word "lie"? I didn't either until earlier this week. Believe me when I tell you that the "magic sand" was a hoax. Yes, that's right! As far as I know, there is no magic sand. I decided to have some fun with the kids. We had already gotten the sandbox and I told them I was going out for sand. I went to Home Depot and bought the 200 pounds I needed and then went to the beach before heading for home. I brought a sandwich bag with me, scooped up some sand and put the bag on the front seat of the car. When I got home I made up the story of the magic sand; we put the sand in the box, said some magic words and covered the box. When they went to bed that night I went outside and filled the sandbox.

The looks on the children's faces when I took off the lid of the sandbox was priceless, unfortunately there are no photos. They truly believed that the sand was magic and couldn't wait to start playing. They spent a lot of time in that sandbox that summer and it always brings a smile to my face when I think about it. It was such a simple thing but the memories will last a lifetime.

Now that I think about it, when I said that the "magic sand" was a hoax I may have been lying just a bit. While the sand didn't magically multiply overnight it did make two young children believe in magic and it gave a family one more wonderful memory. If that isn't magical, I don't know what is.

In Closing

The moral of the story is simple - you don't have to spend a lot of money or go to exotic lands for vacation, a little bit of imagination and spending time together is really what life is all about. My daughter recently posted a meme on her Facebook page that read: "A child is going to remember who was there, not what you spent on them. Kids outgrow a toy & outfits, but they never outgrow time and love." I believe that to be true but would change it a bit. They may remember the expensive gifts or big vacations but they won't cherish them as much as they will time spent together. While the kids outgrew the sandbox (we still have it but it isn't being used) they never outgrew the memory. Children have a way of making us understand what is important in life, if we will only listen.

I hope you enjoyed this trip down Memory Lane and would love to hear from you. Have you done anything similar for your children or your parents do something like this for you? Do you have a favorite family memory that you would like to share? Leave comments below - I love hearing from my readers.

Until next time - enjoy your summer and make sure you are making memories, not just plans!

---

Sandbox image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

"Yellow shovel" image is copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved and may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use the image you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

---

What Is Your Summer Music Playlist?

Summer is here!

It's official! Summer is here. I have to admit, summer is my least favorite season but “summer music” is a different story. There are some songs that just scream “SUMMER!”; like just about anything by The Beach Boys. I enjoy listening to “Surfin’ Safari” in December but might crank it up in July. I have written about music before and how it can elicit memories and long since forgotten or help us get through difficult times in our lives. This post is a little different because I think there are some songs that everyone associates with summer and brighten up your mood – I have links to those posts below. At least, that is how it is for me. There are also certain songs that are not necessarily “summer” songs but remind me of summer, if that makes any sense. When I hear the song it brings me back to significant events or memories of summers long past.

I received a portable reel-to-reel tape recorder back in 1973 or 1974 and used to carry it with me, along with a transistor radio. If a song I liked was played, I will record it. Of course, the sound quality was somewhat less than optimal but a kid had to do what a kid had to do. I remember having the tape deck when I was at my great-aunt’s house one summer, sitting in the backyard listening to the radio. It was then that I recorded the Allman Brothers singing “Ramblin’ Man”. It doesn’t matter what I am doing – when that song is played I am a kid sitting in that backyard under the warm sun.

The strongest summer memories, other than “Ramblin’ Man”, are triggered by “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty and “Hot Child in the City” by Nick Gilder. I am automatically transported back to the Summer of ’78, the year I graduated from high school. I have such fond memories of that summer and the songs were still getting a lot of airplay that fall so I also associate them with my first semester at college. It was also that summer that I saw The Beach Boys in concert at Giants Stadium. It was the very first concert held at the stadium and we were on the field. There were three other bands that day but the only other one I remember is the Steve Miller Band. If you look at the album sleeve for “Steve Miller Band Greatest Hits 1974-78” you will see an aerial view of that show!

So, those are songs that remind me of summer by this is about my “Summer Song Playlist” and here are some of the “must haves”, in no particular order.

• Surfin’ Safari – The Beach Boys
• Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
• California Girls – The Beach Boys
• Surf City – Jan & Dean
• Wipeout – The Surfaris
• Misirlou – Dick Dale and His Del-Tones
• Peter Gunn – Dick Dale and His Del-Tones
• In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry
• Summer in the City – The Lovin’ Spoonful
• Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran (also The Who)
• Live & Let Die – Paul McCartney & Wings
• Rock Lobster – The B-52’s

I’m sure I am forgetting more than a few and will remember a half dozen as soon as I publish this but I am going to leave the list at an even dozen. I would add that almost any song by The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean or Dick Dale could find a home on this list and I didn’t even go back to the 50’s where I could add at least a few more.

So, I ask you – What are your favorite summer songs? Which ones did I get right? Which ones make you question my sanity and which did I leave off? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have a great summer!

Here are the previous posts that I mentioned earliers:
The Power of Music - http://ramblewithjoe.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-power-of-music.html
Remember When the Music - http://ramblewithjoe.blogspot.com/2017/04/remember-when-music.html

---

---

All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

---

---

There Once Was a Man from Nantucket

I have never written a limerick before - I've read quite a few, some polite and others (most) not-so-polite. There are various limericks about a gentleman from Massachusetts, some concerning his family and one that most of you have probably heard (or heard about) concerning certain parts of his body.

I was in the office one day trying to figure out the best way to get a job done when the first line of the limerick popped into my head. Why? I don't know, I will leave that to the psychoanalysts out there. There are times when I am stuck on something and I can get easily distracted; this was one of those times. I was repeating the first line over and over again, There once was a man from Nantucket, but I just couldn't come up with the rest. My mind kept drifting to the infamous one.

Finally it hit me and I wrote it down.

There once was a man from Nantucket
Who carried around beer in a bucket
When thirsty was he
He'd open up three
When the bucket was empty he'd chuck it

So, what do you think? How does it compare to what you know about the man from Nantucket? Can anyone else come up with a limerick using that first line? If you can, and can keep it clean, post it in the comment section below. I know there are a lot of creative writers and poets out there - let's hear from you!

---

Image sources
• https://pixabay.com/en/fish-white-marine-life-water-ocean-38064/
• https://pixabay.com/en/character-comic-fighter-humor-1297508/
• https://pixabay.com/en/sailor-sailing-ship-maritime-145525/
• https://pixabay.com/en/massachusetts-state-map-geography-43766/

Do You Haiku?

I never thought this would ever be a topic for my writing but here it is....

I received an invitation the other day to join a Facebook group, the invitation came from an old high school friend, Diane. She enjoys writing haiku and started the group - in part because she found other, similar, groups starting to get mean and politically oriented. Welcome to social media! This group is for fun and I thought it would be fun to join. It's been a very long time (45 years or more?) since I've written a haiku (and it was probably just one!) and actually had to look up the definition. I thought it would be a nice diversion from my work life and a nice creative outlet - something new to explore.

What is a haiku?

So, what is a haiku? The following definition was taken from Webster's Dictionary¹:

an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively

This definition is from Grammar.YourDictionary.com²:

Traditional Haiku Structure. Traditional haiku are always the same, including the following features: There are only three lines, totaling 17 syllables. The first line is 5 syllables. ... A haiku does not have to rhyme, in fact usually it does not rhyme at all.

Lastly, from Wonderopolis.org³:

It's a special kind of poem called a haiku. ... Traditional Japanese haiku typically describe nature, while English haiku include many different subjects. A haiku contains 17 syllables in three lines of poetry. A syllable is a unit of language that consists of an unbroken sound used to make up words.

Many definitions also include a reference to the natural world and/or seasons.

Some Originals

As I mentioned earlier, I joined the group because I thought it would be fun but never thought I would really "get into it." I was wrong! I wrote my first haiku just a couple hours after joining the group:

I'm hiking each day
Thru a field where war was fought
Nature lives there now
- by Joe Valencia

I was out for one of my lunchtime hikes and wrote it on my way back to the office. I had just finished hiking along one of the trails at Monmouth Battlefield State Park - site of the Battle of Monmouth during the Revolutionary War. It's not going to win me a Nobel Prize but I thought it was reasonably good for a beginner.

I was really getting into it and have written 20 in the past 10 days, including the two (2) appearing below. The one about the city lights came to me the day after I shot the accompanying New York City skyline, while the one with the pastel sky was written long after the image was shot.

City lights glowing
Tranquility deceives all
City never sleeps
- by Joe Valencia

Pastel sunset sky
Silhouette tree stands alone
Goodbye to the day
- by Joe Valencia

I am having fun, as you may have noticed, and will continue to write haiku from time-to-time. It is a nice diversion because it isn't something that is expected of me and if they aren't very good - who cares? That's not to say I will just write stuff I know isn't very good but I'm not going to agonize either. There is also no pressure to produce which is a blessing.

In Closing

I hope you enjoyed this little poetic stroll thru my mind (I hope you didn't step in anything 😉 🤣). If you are interested in joining the Facebook group - you can check it out here. If you do join, please remember that it is a fun group and anything political or mean-spirited will get you removed from the group.

If you have written any haiku - I would love to read some! Leave one (two, three, etc....) in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by!

---

1. Merriam-Webster Definition of haiku
2. Rules for Writing Haiku - English Grammar Rules & Usage
3. What Is a Haiku?

---

---

All haiku and photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the author. If you wish to use any of the photos you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

---

I Think I Have Seen Everything Now

I Love to Hike

If you have been following along on this blog and my photography blog, Exploring Photography with Joe Valencia, you will know that I enjoy hiking. I try to get out at lunchtime every day and this year I have set a goal for 365 miles. I have been tracking my hikes since October 2011 and the most miles I have had in a year is 144 in 2014. Last year I hiked at least once every month for a total of 115 miles - I don't get a lot of miles in during the summer because it just gets too hot and humid. I set my goal at an average of 1 mile/day; the plan is to do a lot more than that but it seemed like a reasonable goal.

As-of today I have nearly 70 miles and averaging more than 1.2 miles/day. This is mainly because I am averaging more than 1.8 miles per hike, many hikes are between 2 and 2 1/2 miles during my lunch hour. Usually the hikes are uneventful, I almost always have a camera and sometimes I get some "keepers" but the hikes are usually about the hike and getting outdoors. I say the hikes are usually uneventful because there have been a few times when things got a bit interesting. The worse that ever happened was a few years ago when I passed out after a hike and spent the night in the hospital - dehydration/heat exhaustion - but that is for another time. This year has been rather strange with this week taking the cake.

Strange Encounters

Earlier this year I stopped at Durand Park, a local park I occasionally go to, at lunch to take a hike. It is a small park with a cinder walkway leading to a gazebo and then a large field planted with wildflowers to attract butterflies. As I approached the gazebo I noticed something scratched into the walkway so I walked up on the grass. In capital letters I found "RUN HELP US HE'S HERE" and accompanying the words was a pictogram that included a pentagram. Inside the gazebo were other pictures and writing - most of which I couldn't make out except for "HAIL SATAN". Needless to say, I took some pictures and then reported it to the local police. I stayed away from the park for a couple weeks; I never saw anything written about it and never heard from the police so I don't know if it was something real or just some kids being jerks. What really made it odd was that I was there at 7:00 AM for a quick walk before work and when I went back at noon all of this was there. This was also a school day....

The very next afternoon I headed out for a walk at Monmouth Battlefield about 5 miles west of Durand Park. I was hiking about the Farms Trail which lies between the field and the woods. I saw that a large branch had blown down and was blocking the trail and I noticed something white in the middle of it. As I got closer, I noticed it was a skull that someone had wedged in between branches - attached to the skull was about 18 inches of the spine! I looked at the edge of the trail and found the remainder of the deer. I don't know how long it had been there but long enough so that it was almost completely clean. I have found skeletal remains a couple other times but never had I come across anything like this. Who would do such a thing and why? I conjunction with the previous day's findings I turned around and headed back to the office - I didn't want to stick around.... I walked by that spot yesterday and the skull was gone, the branches removed but the rest of the skeleton is still there.

Then There is Today

I decided to go back to Monmouth Battlefield today and was having a pretty good outing until I was on my way back to the office. I had hiked up to the house and was headed back towards the woods which will bring me back to the road and my office. I looked up and saw a rather large person walking along the trail headed towards me. I will sometimes come across people walking their dogs but this guy was alone and coming from the woods - something felt hinky. I decided to walk about 30 or 40 yards to my right to get away from him before heading to the woods; the whole time keeping an eye out for him to re-appear. There was a time when a building blocked my view but if he was still walking he would have reappeared - he never did. This had me concerned because now it seemed like it wasn't going to be a pleasant encounter. I looked towards the woods and saw someone - a different person! - dressed in black pants and black hoodie with the hood up. He was standing next to a tree, not moving. As soon as he saw me, he slowly took a step to his left and disappeared behind the tree. Alarms went off and I got the hell out of there. I didn't run but walked a bit faster than I would normally. I noticed a few State Park Police vehicles in the parking lot and headed for them, if someone was there I was going to let them know what I saw, if not I was going to walk to Rt 9 and the long way back to the office.

As luck would have it, as I got to the parking lot there was a State Park Police Officer with a bloodhound! The alarms got louder!! I waved at him and got his attention, walked over to him and explained what had just happened. He laughed and told me that the two (2) guys in the woods were fellow officers and they were conducting training for the dog. To say that I was relieved would be a gross understatement, so would saying that I felt a bit foolish, too! I thanked the officer and headed towards the woods where I encountered the first officer I had seen. I stopped to talk to him - I guess the other guy had radioed because he was laughing as I approached. I talked to him for a minute or so - waved to the "hoodie guy" and headed back to the office. I'm sure they are going to have a good laugh about it for quite some time to come.

I guess if you are going to come across some "shady" characters while out hiking alone, it's good to find out they are "the good guys" and not looking to make you their next statistic. 😂

I hope you enjoyed this post and would love to hear about any strange encounters you may have had while hiking or just out on the town. Has anything bizarre ever happened to you? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by....