Wednesday, October 30
The abandoned tracks behind the Clinton Inn...
There were originally only two things on tap today. But, life has a way of tossing you a few curve balls from time to time. Today had a bit of everything, weather, a very timely encounter and a new friend.
When I started planning this trip through Jersey, I wanted to hit mostly places I’d never been. What can I say, I do love this state. First up on the day’s itinerary was Paterson Falls National Historic Site. Some of you might recognize it from a certain episode of
The Sopranos.
Getting to the falls was pretty easy once I convinced the GPS that no, I didn’t want to get back on the interstate. When I arrived at the visitors center, the sky was still leaden, but the morning rain had tapered off to a very fine mist. It did make for some interesting photographic conditions.
By the time I had walked up to the Dunkin Donuts(seriously, I rarely do more than one cup a day at home) the rain had all but stopped. I decided to roll the bones, and take a chance committing to a hiking trail. That’s where the day got really interesting.
Less than a half hour from the Paterson Falls is the town of Boonton, named after the colonial governor, Thomas Boon. I only knew the name from NJ Transit commuter rail line that ends in the town. But, just north of downtown you’ll find Pyramid Mountain, a Morris County Historic Area. My hiking guidebooks had a five mile loop trail that would eventually bring me to a rare, natural phenomenon.
The parking area holds about thirty cars. On a gray Wednesday, there was plenty of parking. The loop trail seemed pretty easy enough. I had no idea what lay ahead of me.
The Blue trail takes you directly to the geological oddity. The guidebook suggested a five mile loop. It wasn’t actually raining, so, I took a chance on the longer looping trail.
I took the Red trail for the larger loop. One of my pet peeves on trails is a lack of blazes. IMO, if you’re standing by a red marker, you should be able to see the next one. I had to guess a few times and back track a few more. That's where I met a couple coming the other way around. I was the first person they had seen all day and agreed about the red blazes.
Eventually, the trail intersected with the White trail. This one was wider and more clearly marked. I met a guy and his dog at the next trail juncture. His dog seemed more interested in the water in the muddy stream than me. This is also where I encountered Bear Rock. I have no idea where the name came from since it in no way resembles a bear.
Further up the trail, I ran into this sign...
It was a good thing, since I had just walked past the junction of the red/white trail, marked by red blazes, outlined in white. It was a shortcut to another section of the white trail.
It’s also where I encountered this Marbled Orb Weaver spider. I don't remember seeing an orange spider before.
The Red/White trail took me back over rocky terrain where I suddenly realized I no longer saw any blazes on the trees. I tried back tracking, but didn’t see anything familiar. Before long I realized I had absolutely no idea where I was.
So, I did what any 21st century hiker would do, I whipped out my phone. A google search for Pyramid Mountain and the map function showed me where I was in relation to the visitor center . I knew if I kept going south-east, I would eventually run into a trail. So, that’s what I did.
After twenty minutes of just heading south-east, I found myself back on the White trail, but where was I exactly. That’s when I heard voices. Three hikers and their golden retriever were coming up the trail. Considering they were the third group I had met all day, and arrived just at the right moment, was it a coincidence?
They showed me right where I was on my park map. And that natural, geological oddity, right around the next curve in the trail. I give you, Tripod Rock.
From here, the Blue trail did eventually lead back to the parking area, and it was easy to follow.
Along the way, I did suddenly realized that I not only had lost my lens cap, but also my polarizing filter. I wasn’t about to backtrack to look for them. Fortunately, a quick search resulted in Boonton Photo, in the heart of downtown.
After ditching the car, I walked into the
Darress Theater. That's where I met Tom. He's owned the place since 1980, but planning to retire as soon as he finds someone who wants to buy his theater. Built in 1919, it can seat six hundred. He shows movies and rents it out for plays and concerts. An Eric Clapton tribute band was scheduled to play a few days later.
The room just off the lobby used to house three film developing machines. It's now all but empty. As for the filter and lens cap, all he has left were a couple of cartons. He couldn't help me. A few phone calls later and I was off to Livingston Camera. They'd have it waiting for me.
Tom also suggested I make a stop in Grace Lord Park on my way out of town. I did find the park and took these holding the camera over the chain link fence.
When I turned around, there was a guy standing right behind me, creepy close. He asked if I had been down to the real falls. I said no, but the guy in the camera shop had mentioned them as well.
Next stop, Livingston Camera. They had just what I needed and at a reasonable price.
This is where my love/hate relationship with GPS comes into play. I put in the address of the motel. The closest it showed me was out of state. I tried again and followed it to a busy downtown area of Wayne. After pulling off and cross checking Google maps I wasn’t even close. Eventually I did manage to find the Baymont Inn.
After checking in, I worked my way through this trippy corridor...
To the hotel lounge/restaurant. That’s where I met Lisa, the bartender. It was only 5P, and the place was dead quiet. So, we got to talking. Before long, Willie showed up. He’s originally from Paterson. He was followed by three guys from Wyoming. They work for a construction company and have been staying in the motel for the last three months. They were brought out to take over a construction job from a contractor who was in way over their head. This was their last night before heading home.
As for me, I called it a day, and came back to the room to write up some notes from the day. Tomorrow’s plans...that depends on the weather.
Coming Up,
A Wash Out
