Highlight Hiker Blog
June & July 2021
Short Hikes Around New Jersey
Welp, this time last year, summer had arrived! It was hot. I mean, it was a really hot summer. And the kids were out of school. And summer vacations and camps and all kind of other things were happening, so hiking had to cool it for a few weeks. When I was able to get out, it was usually while the kids were busy and I could get an hour or two by myself without feeling guilty.
On June 27, 2021 I dropped the kids off at Six Flags Great Adventure and headed over to explore more of Allaire State Park. But OH MY GOD IT WAS HOT. Hot and humid. I was covered in sweat before I even it the trail. I wanted to hike the 2.2 mile Upper Squankum Trail but within a half mile I had picked off half a dozen ticks and was beyond hot under the canopy of the trees so I hightailed it out of there with another half dozen ticks and found cooler ground walking up and down the Spring Lake Boardwalk instead! What a great choice. No ticks. Cool breeze coming off the Atlantic. ICE CREAM. What else could a hiker want on a hot day?
On July 8, 2021 I made a quick trip up to Bear Swamp Lake in Ramapo Res’ specifically to photograph the lily pads, really. I’m not going to overdo in the gallery… just a few of the entire collection are really all that’s needed.
I also visited Lake Henry a handful of times with The Olden Golden (it started pouring before we’d even gone 1/2 way round), and took pictures along the Appalachian Trail in Waywayanda State Park when I went up to buy my state park pass. I even climbed up the State Line trail in Abram S. Hewitt again, shaving off a lot of time by stopping to take fewer photos.
All of that is clustered in this gallery… aren’t you lucky!!!
Since most of these are repeat visits, I’m including links to the original pages for you, just in case you want to get caught up!
