How far does Rt. 519 go?

I've always wondered how far CR 519 (pretty much a main route here in Warren County, NJ) will take you. I've looked at it on maps, in disbelief... can you really drive this road all the way to Sussex County? The Rt. 519 that you see up by Space Farms, which seems so far away: is that really OUR 519??

The answer is yes. Yes, you can drive from Warren to Hunterdon, and from Warren to Sussex, via county road 519. It's a lovely ride. The trail becomes decidedly more rocky and mountainous once you get into Sussex County. And the fall colors, and the winding turns, and the cornfields, and stone buildings, and fields of cows and horses, and pumpkin farms, are pretty all the way.

The other day I was trying to get my kid to nap in the car, so I hopped on 519 in Warren County. I went through Hope, Johnsonburg, Frelinghuysen, and possibly some other name of a town that I've never heard of in my life. Wouldn't you know it, after many miles of winding road, I hit Rt. 94 in Newton. And at that point, I didn't know where I'd end up... so I turned around and drove back home.

This probably seems pretty silly to all you GPS people out there. Well, I'm old-school. I refuse to plug in and use our GPS. Me, I prefer a good old-fashioned map to guide my way. When I got home, I consulted with a trusty online map, and realized you can in fact take Rt. 519 all the way to New York. Imagine that! Then it turns into a NY route, maybe 33 or 35 (I'm forgetting the number, but you can Google-map it if you're curious).

How long would it take to take the 519 scenic route to Newton? Uh, maybe 45 minutes. I'm sorry to say that I lost track of time eventually. My son woke up, we stopped at a farm stand... you know how it goes.

For some reason, I am a map weirdo who enjoys finding out where roads go. Honk if you are, too!

"Nothing to Do" in Warren County, NJ?

I have heard from people who grew up here that there is "nothing to do" in Warren County, NJ and I beg to differ!

In fact, as someone who is repulsed by commercialism, I find this small-town, down-home brand of country fun to be just my cup of tea.

The activities available here hearken back to simpler, more peaceful times. For starters, you can immerse yourself in the great outdoors, with a bevvy of choices for nature lovers and homesteaders-at-heart. Hike the Delaware Water Gap; camp along the Appalachian Trail; visit our many local and self sustainable farms. Tour nearby wineries; buy fresh produce, grass-fed meat and free-range chicken eggs... oh, the list goes on!

You can also take in a bit of history at the Oxford Museum; ride the Phillipsburg Steam Train; tour the inside of old homes during Belvidere Victorian Days; partake in the balloon launch at Warren County Farmer's Fair in summertime... oh, yes, there are lots of things to do if you simply step outside of your house and get to know the colorful people and places of this precious, hidden corner of NJ.

You can get excited for Town Wide Yard Sales in the spring and fall. Join the community pool in June. Splash in Oxford Lake. Trek the trails at Merrill Creek. Hike up Jenny Jump Mountain. Go antiquing up and down Rt. 31 and Rt. 46!

Get a summer season pass to the Land of Make Believe in Hope, NJ. Shop quaint little mom and pop shops in Finesville, NJ and Riegelsville, PA.

You can get involved in your local town events. Sign your kids up for sports and after-school activities. Volunteer at St. Luke's and Hackettstown Hospital. Donate to the NORWESCAP food bank. Attend wonderful community day events in July. Watch fireworks on the free bridge between Phillipsburg and Easton, PA.

Speaking of Easton... catch a great band, eat at a nice restaurant, attend a festival in Easton, PA!

And speaking of fireworks... Warren County is a fireworks kind of place! You'll always find fireworks going off around here... pretty awesome!

As you can probably tell from this blog... there is lots to do and see and taste and experience here in beautiful Warren County, NJ.

They changed the music at Greenwich Shoprite

Okay, I know no one probably reads this blog, but it would be really cool if Mr. Collalillo or some high ranking honcho in charge of Greenwich Shoprite would take note of what I am about to say.

Shoprite, you changed your music to some kind of urban ghetto blasting modern club music, and I just want to say that it SUUUCKS.

I mean, come on, look at the majority of shoppers who buy their groceries at this store. Sorry to have to point out the obvious, but we're rural white people. And if I had to do some quick stats of the average age of those shopping at this store... well, I would say that it's somewhere in the mid 50s - baby boomers.

At this particular Shoprite, of which I have purchased groceries, household cleaners and various other sundry items at a minimum of 2 times per week, I have heard 50s doo-wop, 60s motown and 70s hippie tunes. All of this has been GREAT! Nothing like the Big Bopper, Beatles, Earth Wind and Fire, Rolling Stones, and even a little Donna Summer every now and again to get me revved up to wait my turn at the deli counter, paw through cans of dog food, so on and so forth.

But this music you're playing now... oh, God, it's worse than Kidz Bop which I have to listen to every time I show up at one of these modern play gym things, skating rink etc. This terrible, terrible ghetto blasting noise they call music is literally driving me out of the store!

Shoprite, if you don't go back to your former, and obviously grocery-shopping experience enhancing oldies music, I'm going to leave you for Stop 'n Shop.

I mean it. Don't think I won't do it. Music can literally make or break my day, and I'm sure that's the case for a lot of other people or you wouldn't bother experimenting with so many different musical selections.

Sincerely,
Your Number One Fan

Town-Wide Yard Sale Weekends in Warren and Hunterdon Counties

One of the many awesome things about living in the western part of NJ is the town-wide garage sales hosted here. I don't remember anything like this happening in my part of the state growing up, although it doesn't mean they haven't since established the tradition some 30 years later.

All I know is, I make sure to clear my schedule for a few weekends in the spring and a few more in the fall so I can hit the garage sale melee that turns towns like Belvidere, Harmony, Lopatcong, Pohatcong, Stewartsville, Clinton, Lebanon, Whitehouse Station, and probably other towns that I'm as yet unaware of, into an antiquer/bargain-hunter's dream come true.

Over the years, I've scored all kinds of sweet deals on everything from a wet/dry shop vac to antique silver serving platters to an entire set of wrought iron patio furniture to antique wooden dressers and bookshelves. Garage sale finds have clothed my kid, enhanced my home decor, dressed up our holiday table, adorned my party feet, and without a doubt saved us thousands and thousands of dollars.

And if you end up not liking/not using what you buy at the Warren and Hunterdon County garage sales? No worries... you can always put it out at your own yard sale next year, or heck you can even curb it because hey, you only spent a dollar or five anyway!

Just recently, Belvidere hosted their town-wide sale on October 4 and 5. They were somewhat thwarted with a morning of heavy rain on Saturday, but that didn't stop them from coming back stronger and ever, with wall to wall crap, err, precious commodities, lining the sidewalks and driveways of nearly every street in town.

In fact – the sale was so all-encompassing that it proved too much for me to handle in a day. Next time, I may devise some sort of strategic approach for hitting the best spots earliest and whatever else might yield the greatest garage-sale takes.

More garage sales are sure to pop up – keep an eye out in the Treasure Hunt, on local NJ websites, on Facebook, and wherever else you get your "local updates."

Happy Garage Sale Season!

McDonald's Playland at Mackey's Farm

Not sure how many people know this, but Mackey's Farm has an old-school McDonald's playground/pirate ship climber and other fun, outdoor toys in the back behind the barn where they sell seasonal produce.

At first I didn't realize it was from McDonald's; I just thought it was awesome. Then I noticed that, in addition to the triple-wide, old-fashioned metal slide that would scorch the backs of tender young knees on a hot summer day; the signature Mickey D's yellow see-saws that you wouldn't remember until you saw them and all your fondest childhood memories came rushing back; the glorious, wooden pirate ship with upper deck and galley down below featuring their famous, octagonal peep window... they also have genuine, McDonald's signage circa 1980s (?) complete with full regulations for use. If this isn't enough to blow your mind, there is even a McDonald's garbage can which, I guess was included as part of the deal.

Everything is sturdy, made of wood or metal, built to last, and also it entices kids to have a good time at their own risk, on the rickety pirate plank with just a couple of flimsy ropes to hold onto as you climb up, "cannonball" tunnel slide and other delightfully old and well-loved pieces of playground equipment. I asked where they obtained this nostalgic set, and was told they acquired it via auction from a McDonald's in PA that was going out of business.

Anyway, the point is that this is paradise for kids, and you should totally buy some fresh-picked apples, autumn gourdage, and other Halloween and fall-type goodies, before settling down on the parent-bench while the kids have a great old time in the back play area of Mackey's Farm.

We make it a point to go back there every time we stop in, and we always meet new friends.

The Traffic Lights Down By Shoprite and Walmart

Is it me, or have they now added a rather confusing traffic light at the intersection of 22 and St. James Ave? The lights face at an angle, so that you can see them no matter what side of the intersection you're on.

To me, this is absurd, and in fact may cause more accidents. I am not supposed to see the light as it changes for the other guys; I am only supposed to see the light on MY side. The first time I noticed it I did a double-take... "that light is green. Wait a minute, is that MY light, or is that theirs?"

Pretty goddamned stupid and dangerous, if you ask me. If they want to prevent accidents down at that intersection, then they should make more of a delay between the green, red and yellow at the 2 lights that change too quickly as people are driving through.