The Art of Walking

The simple task of walking has become an art. We forgot how to walk, yet we walk everyday. I work with disabled individuals and they understand the art of walking. Nothing should be taking for granted. Appreciation for the world outside our four walls is a fading thought. If you try to save the earth your a tree hugger, we have forgotten balance. Hence walking has become an art. It is much more convenient to get in your car and drive to your destination, and then you need to get the closest spot to park. We then look at a time to venture out and we need to calculate the distance and time to say I did this many miles in this amount of time. It takes a lot nowadays to just slow down and small the coffee (as the expression goes).
Let us break down the art of walking. We shall go in steps(nice pun).
1. Pick a spot. The hardest part of all, but for short we'll say the park.(2 blocks away)
2. Put on your shoes, sneaks, boots, you know what I'm talking about.
3.Open the door and close it behind you.
4.Walk!!!!!!!
5.Eliminate all thoughts, empty your mind. See the trees, flowers, animals and kids(that are not yours)having fun. Breath in the air, not recycled through the A/C or some other purifying device. Hear the birds and nature as you walk. Find the serenity of nature and respect it. Remember the joys of your youth in the great outdoors(even if it was in the woods drinking Boones Farm).
6.Go home a feel less stressed.
We dont need to go overboard with walking just need to remember to do it while we can.

Pyramid Mountain

Some steep climbs and as always follow the maps

Notice my feats of strength!!

What I thought would be a short easy 2-3 mile hike turned out be a good six mile hike. I had read other comments on Pyramid Mountain, thought it to be simple. Ha, I was wrong. It was a lovely day temps comfortable, I believed we overdressed and their were a lot of hikers out there. That makes the SPES a happy group. Anyway back to the hike, good inclines some steep, and rocky plus a great view from the top. You can also see the Tripod rock formed from the glaciers. (As a sceptic I believe somebody got a crane up there).

We followed the blue trail to the yellow up to tripod rock then the red/white to blue back to red over to white and made it back. We found a lost family out there worrying about it getting dark, not knowing the markings but Keith bravely lead them home. They thanked us and we shook hands and returned to home base. I in the mean time had text ed my wife, because I believed we were lost also, imagine that the SPES lost. However due to our wonderful SPES sweatshirts we looked professional and they believed us. It was my fault my GPS batteries had died time to return to the old fashion compass and map. Orienteering classes next. Good thing Keith had a clue, in the woods okay we just got lost following road directions. Ah I love these Sunday expeditions. Remember compass and maps are your best friends out there. Next week another adventure maybe during the week some rants about unemployment.Now get out there and hike!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all. It doesn't seem like much to be thankful for yet we strive to keep our heads up and remember what are forefathers came here for. Same thing we complain about Today. I am thankful to all those in the service keeping us safe, a hearty Thank you and keep safe. Remember after that big meal to take a nice hike and enjoy the outdoors, a nice Nor-Easter tomorrow and black Friday may prevent some from enjoying a truly wonderful outdoor experience. I naturally will be at the beach. Happy Thanksgiving once again.

Chester is not enjoying the Holidays, no turkey for him!!!

Bass River and the economy

The time has come to finally let it all out. This economy SUCKS!!!!! Big Time. Not only do we have to fight the depression, anxiety and wonders plus doubts of job security and financial stability, now it effects our expeditions. that's just wrong. we are to go out and see this great country of ours and let them know what the beauty of it all. I now get to deal with the pressures of a weak economy instead of trips.

However, I finally got to take a hike with the SPES to non-other than Bass River park. A 2 hour drive and a six mile hike will make you feel a little better. Also found something you don't see to much of any more a phone booth. Anyway we had a tough choice to make on this trip and Bass River won the draw of the cards. Nice lake , campsites and Even lean-to's. Hopefully next time we can camp out for the night. We were hoping to find the Batano trail 49.5 miles a nice trek one weekend. I hope that things turn around so that the US doesn't have to lose it's self worth and have a nation depressed from all. My suggestion is to go out and seek the great outdoors.

Princeton Canal Paddle

After some bad weather with rain and wind, a beautiful autumn day like today lead to a paddling expedition. We were joined by some friends and we packed up the mini van to the canal at Princeton. The sun was shining there was a slight breeze to keep you cool as we paddled our way down the Raritan canal. Had time to stop for a small snack on the banks and return back to go pumpkin picking.

On days like this you truly get to appreciate the fall season. We seem to take it for granted, thinking more of the leaves to rake up then the beauty that it brings. To me summer is to hot but the fall has some wonderful days.

We also made a quick stop at the Terhune farms with pumpkin picking live music and hay rides.

Not bad for a Sunday drive or paddle. Once again good friends and family with some outdoor activity, this is truly priceless.

Nor-easter

It seems that when their is something going on outside it makes a better expedition. Rain, snow, a little gusty wind just adds a tad bit of adventure challenge to it. I do not profess in storm chasing, personally I would chase maybe one, but smart judgement is essential.

The society got together a few votes for the Mt Schooley and then the choice of Pt. Pleasant was set. Checked out the beach web cam 20 mph winds, pounding surf and the Tiki Bar.

Took a walk along the beach to the jetty climbed up and enjoyed the power of mother nature.

The good part about an expedition here is you don't need to pack so much. We did think of stopping at Allaire State Park and checking it out, we haven't been there since we were kids.

Time once again is a factor in all we do. Between the work schedule and maintaining the homes we try to get in as much as we can during these autumn months.

It was a good choice for the shore and hopefully the next choice will be as good.

The Essentials; Stoves

As the fall and winter approach its time for the essentials list.
1. Warm comfortable clothing
2.Good waterproof boots
3.A hat and gloves
4.A stove
Nothing like a good cup of noodles or soup on the trail. A great website that helped me develop my stove www.Zenstoves.net. Anybody can build one and if like Heineken their keg cans work the best. Check out the site lots of good info and tech advice on tweaking your stove or building your own.
Wont work if your climbing Mt.Everest, but does the job for Jenny Jump.
Happy cooking on the trails.
Maybe next some good old fashion recipes, if you got some send em over.

It seems the weekends go quick. We didn't get a chance to plan a big hike but we got a quickie in, Cheesequake State Park. Once again in our own backyard we forget about the abundance and convenience of what is available to us. The trails are red, blue and green a quick 20 minutes to 90 minutes. They have a center that contains some good history about the Indians in the area with some artifacts. The turtle tank and fish where fun to look and play with, also, they Even run some programs and clinics. One coming up in January is about children surviving a hike when lost from a group. Not to many people are aware of what to do. I know my Grandpa was the one that showed me what to do to survive the outdoors and respect for nature, he truly was one with the natural elements.

God Bless gramps and thanks for teaching me what you did.

And for our environmental scientist I included the Turtle pics.

Coming soon 50 hikes in 50 states.

Avallino's in Dunellen

Friday night's at Avallino's a friend of mine does his one man band show. Ricky has been around in the Labor day paradre in town as well as all over the city in his Jonny On suit. His quite the creative individual a very creative mind,\. I find it amazing that he built the electronic drum kit that he plays with his feet by himself and just straps the harmonica to his guitar. I would have just brought the drum kit and be done with it. I only got to stay for one set(we old farts need adequite sleep) but it was great to Ricky out and getting paid for his talents. Every first Friday at Avallino's stop by and see Rick support our local talent.
Great show Rick good tune selection.Wish you the best.


Now its back to the grind, more artwork to do and figuring out to do 50 hikes in 50 states.

The greatest expedition we face is life. It seems everyday new challenges arise to test us and see if we can continue to go on. I am trying to mention any political rants or gripe about the economy as everyone else, however the recession has changed allot on travel and leisure. where as before a quick flight to some other area was easily accessible the new travel plans are local. i have learned an exploration within a few miles has opened my eyes to what is available in our local area. Spring lake park in the autumn AM with the mist rising off the pond and a lonely heron basking in the shallow pools makes appreciate the local flair. More importantly instead of letting the troubled times bear you down go out and find those local expeditions and put the political buffoons and recession blues behind you.
Sounds like a new song to write the Recession Blues.
Go seek out and explore forget the other stuff the outdoors revitalizes mind and body and spirit.

Long Island Wine Trail

What a better expedition then the L.I. Wine Trail. Who ever came up with the wine trail concept hats off to em. Got to sample some good wines but mostly got to spend time with family and friends.

Found our way off to Orient Point, the furthest point on Long Islands northern fork.We where out in the rain, but still found time to hike along. Then still within the day as the weather lightened up we hit a couple of wineries. Good food, good friends and some time to enjoy the sun on Sunday AM.

For a 2-3 hr drive it is quite enjoyable and a great place for an expedition.

Black River Expedition in the Rain

A rainy day, a good day for an expedition to the forest so off we went to the Black River in Hacklebarney State Park. Let me tell you we were the only ones there. I did see a lot of signs saying you are in bear country, however due to the rain they stayed indoors. The bears are smarter then the SPES. It wasnt exactly a very large expedition for it is early in the season and this seemed like a good way to break in the hiking boots. Not to much to view in wildlife but the scenery was actually very good. Wood, rocks and water. Trees all around, water falling from the sky and running in the river and rocks everywhere, some as large as houses. A good portion of the trail requires a fair bit of hiking over the rocks which makes for a good adventure but makes for tough going if a bear is after our lunch. Irina had the lunch in her pack so all we had to do, should it come to that, was outrun her.

A couple of rough days at work, and now is the time to start planning the next expedition. There is so much to chose from festivals, kayaking a hike with a waterfall view. I sometimes think the best part is planning out and preparing for the expedition, but then the views just make you change your mind. Going to see a friend of mine play in Dunellen Friday night and then getting set for a small hike (Buttermilk Falls Loop) hopefully. Check in with the rest of the society and off we go.

Work beats you down and a hike picks you up.

Sometimes we need to remember to carefully plan things out. When we have a lot of choices and confusion sets in, we tend to forget plan it out ahead of time. Today I couldn't decide weather to ride down the shore or in the mountains. In the end I only made it to a local park.
The good part about it, I had found that this local park has a lot of amenities the society can use. Good bike course, boat ramp, and food cooking facilities. I guess the best plans are the ones that just made up as you go along. I hope my fellow comrades are having success with their fungus finds. Kayaking tomorrow and then back to work.

It seems that the best point of view is the one in the great outdoors. I only got in one paddle during the spring and this photo was the best point of view. Two thirds of the society will be off to Monticello for mushroom picking, I wish them success and hope they can get some point of view photos to post. Let the Expeditions begin and may it all be fun.

The South Plainfield Expeditionary Society (spes for short) is a group of friends who enjoy the outdoors. Hiking,Kayaking,biking along with music,food, wine, coffee and the many other joys of life. This is a spot for us to post or photos,expeditions and the many other adventures that life throws at us. Hopefully others will join and follow the spiritual journeys and joys that the great outdoors and life can bring. Anything can be an expedition weather it is a vacation or a walk around the block. I hope everybody finds their expedition enjoyable.