Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY THREE

As we wrap up our weekend excursion in upstate New York, we'll be making the most of our final day by spending it primarily in the great outdoor expanse of the Adirondacks. If you followed along with the suggestions for the first two days of the trip, you'll be waking up to a serene scene of birds chirping and bugs buzzing at your lakeside campsite this morning, where you'll be preparing yourself for a fantastic final day.

Day Three:

1. Get ready for a full day of hiking with a campsite breakfast using the food you stocked up on in Lake Placid. One of my favorite easy recipes for the campsite is this breakfast skillet with potatoes, as its easy to cook over the campfire in a single pan, feeds quite a few people and will fill you up for the day ahead. You can add different cheese, peppers and onions or hot sauce to your liking. 
2. The pinnacle of your final day relies on a long hike from your campsite to one of the hundreds of scenic vistas and viewpoints located on one of the many high points and peaks in the area. While it is hard to make a specific suggestion since the location of your campsite will vary, there are a few different ways to go about finding the perfect hike from where you are. The best way to find a good hike is to ask your pilot or guide when the float plane drops you at your campsite as they will know what is in the immediate area they are dropping you in. Alternatively, you may download a brochure from VisitAdirondacks that is full of suggestions for hiking both the legendary 46 high peaks and more "gentle" shorter options. 
3. Arrive back at your campsite to be picked up at your scheduled time by Helms Aero, and head back to your rental car in Long Lake. Get started on your long, five hour ride back and head back south towards Albany. Your final stop is just north of Albany, in Saratoga Springs. While you have officially left the Adirondacks, Saratoga is a great place to pit stop for lunch/ dinner on your way back and recap what will have been quite an eventful trip. One of Saratoga's most historic and well known establishments is the Olde Bryan Inn, where I suggest making the final stop on your journey for a well deserved hot meal, back in the comforts of civilization after your night in the wild of the Adirondacks. 

As you drive back down I-87S towards New York City, reflect on not only the valuable time spent outside in nature, but the time spent outside of New York City. Over the Summer the confines of the five boroughs can feel hot and cramped, and my favorite way to escape the city is always driving out into nature. Whether it is for a few hours or a few days, a brief respite from city life can re-energize anyone looking to escape for a few days. With the Adirondacks so close, theres no excuses when it comes to planning a great trip upstate!

A Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY ONE

Working or living in New York City over the Summer can feel like you're trapped in a hot stew of cars, bodies and noise. Thankfully, upstate New York is home to some of the coolest spots for a laid back, private and secluded weekend away from the city. New York's Adirondack Park, situated within the greater Adirondack Mountains, is home to 6.1 million acres of space as well as more than 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams and a wide variety of habitats, making it bigger than some of the largest national parks and the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

My next three posts on Road Trip NY will highlight the ideal long weekend road trip (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and getaway to the Adirondacks with a special emphasis on some of the must see hikes and activities. 

Day One:

1. After getting up bright an early for the five hour drive, use Waze to escape from New York City via I-87N, heading to The Wild Center and Wild Walk in Tupper Lake, NY as your first stop. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and tunes packed along for the ride. The 115-acre Wild Center is an all-day indoor and outdoor experience, from playing with live river otters to walking an elevated trail over the treetops, The Wild Center allows visitors of all ages to get closer to nature. There are trails, guided canoe trips on the river that runs by the Center and a staff ready to show you around and talk about the wild world of the Adirondacks, making it the ideal first stop to ask questions and familiarize yourself with the area. 
2. After exploring The Wild Center, continue on to Whiteface Mountain's Cloudsplitter Gondola for a more laid back adventure, as you ride the gondola fifteen minutes to the top of Whiteface Mountain, from Main Base Lodge to the top of Little Whiteface. During the ride, you’ll get an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the mountains, ski trails, streams, rock faces, and forests, that you will spend the weekend exploring. As well as a spectacular view of Lake Placid itself and your next stop: the village that bears its name. 

3. To finish up your first day, head into Lake Placid for food and somewhere to stay. If you're drinking age, I suggest the Great Adirondack Brewing Company to finish your day with a flight of craft beer and snacks. If alcohol isn't your preference or if you're looking for a larger meal, head over to Smoke Signals for live music and BBQ. As for places to stay, there are a wide variety of choices from hotels to bed and breakfasts to various types of AirBnb. As the next two days of the trip are focused around camping in the seclusion of the Adirondack wilderness, you may prefer a warm shower and bed for your first night, so check TripAdvisor or AirBnb for a place to spend the night that meets your budget and criteria. 

Check back tomorrow for the next day of our weekend getaway! Make sure to bring your sunscreen, bug spray and swim suit as we'll be venturing even further into the expansive outdoor offerings of the Adirondacks!

Wikipedia Follow-Up: Van Campens Glen Falls

A few weeks ago I made a blog post with some information on Wikipedia regarding Van Campens Glen Falls in the Delaware River National Recreation Area. On the Wikipedia page dedicated to the waterfalls of the Delaware Water Gap, there was no space dedicated to the well traveled and well known Van Campens Glen Falls, so I took it upon myself to add in the first Wikipedia entry regarding the popular waterfall and hiking spot.

I am happy to report that my addition to the page is still intact, and that my information regarding Van Campens Glen Falls has been given its own individual spot on the list of waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap! My post reads: 

Van Campens Glen Falls is the terminus of the Lower Van Campens Glen trail hike near Walpack, NJ. The top of the falls features a deep, large pool that cascades down a slanted rock face. The areas surrounding the upper pool require extreme caution as this area has been responsible for numerous accidents and deaths in years past. ^[14]

Apparently, the lack of information regarding the spot has been acknowledged since my post has not been removed and the source of my information was confirmed. Today I decided not only to check on the status of my edits, but to expand on them further. I expanded on my original post, adding additional current info from my last trip as well as referencing the National Park Service website as my source. The updated post is as follows:

Van Campens Glen Falls is the terminus of the Lower Van Campens Glen trail hike near Walpack, NJ. The top of the falls features a deep, large pool that cascades down a slanted rock face. The areas surrounding the upper pool require extreme caution as this area has been responsible for numerous accidents and deaths in years past. ^[14] The trail itself features a densely covered hemlock ravine that hosts various delicate plants and species of wildlife. The root systems at the base of many of the hemlocks have been damaged due to high foot traffic in the area. This, in addition to storm damage and a lack of funding, has led the National Park Service and Department of the Interior to close the Lower Van Campens Glen trail indefinitely, due to public hazard, as of Spring 2019. ^[15]

I'll be keeping an eye out to see how my changes and updates hold up in the coming days. I certainly found it surprising how little information was available on Wikipedia regarding Van Campens Glen Falls, but I am glad to see that my contribution to the list of waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap has held up so nicely!

Follow Up: Panoramic Views in the Palisades

Earlier in the Summer, I hinted at an upcoming trip to The Palisades in a post about planning the perfect day trip. A short hop from both Manhattan and Fordham's campus in the Bronx, The Palisades are a collection of steep cliffs that run parallel to the Hudson River on the New Jersey side. There the average explorer will find their fair share of hikes, trails and scenic overlooks, providing not only a great workout but some of the coolest views of New York City, from one of the closest natural landmarks in the area. Once you finish your hike, there are plenty of nearby choices for a good meal.

The Palisades are directly on the opposite side of the George Washington Bridge from New York City and continue north for miles. The ready road traveler can head over the bridge and follow signs for Palisades Interstate Parkway, where there are plenty of scenic overlooks and trailheads. While there are over thirty miles of trails in The Palisades, the level of difficulty varies greatly. You can learn more about the different trails and figure out which level best suits your activity and interest level, here. 

                                               

After you soak up some views and some sun on your hike, hop back in the car and head for some food. For this trip, I suggest driving down to Rutt's Hut in Clifton, NJ, known for their iconic deep fried hot dogs called "rippers." Their menu and setup is super easy, with classics like chili, cheese fries and laid back counter-top eating. Make sure you lather your dogs in their special relish, and don't forget cash as they don't accept cards. You can find out more about the delicious and historic Rutt's Hut here. 

My favorite part about this particular trip is it's accessibility from the New York City area. With a natural landmark such as The Palisades so close, it couldn't be easier to plan your day around hiking and hot dogs. 

Van Campens Glen Falls: Missing from Wikipedia!?

Earlier this week my dog and I ventured out to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for a hike at one of our favorite spots, Van Campens Glen Falls. While I found plenty of information online regarding the falls before our trip, I did not realize until later that info on the area was entirely missing from Wikipedia!

While this may seem somewhat unimportant to the average Wiki user, I found it particularly odd since Wikipedia has a page dedicated entirely to the waterfalls of the Delaware Water Gap and Van Campens Glen Falls wasn't on it! So I decided to take matters into my own hands. 

"Van Campens Glen Falls is the terminus of the Lower Van Campens Glen trail hike near Walpack, NJ. The top of the falls features a deep, large pool that cascades down a slanted rock face. The areas surrounding the upper pool require extreme caution as this area has been responsible for numerous accidents and deaths in years past."

Above is a look at the Wikipedia page before our addition...

and now a look after! 

Thankfully, we made our addition and are keeping a close watch to see if it is deemed worthwhile and remains in the coming days!

A Day Trip in Warren County: Waterfalls at the Delaware Water Gap

Today my dog and I ventured down interstate 80 for a trip to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to enjoy a day in the outdoors. Below is a recap of our trip as well as some suggestions for your own trip to the Delaware Water Gap!

One of my favorite parts of this trip is the drive, so I am going to share my preferred route to the trailhead, where you get off of route 80 and take back roads for the final thirty minutes of the drive. After flying down route 80 to exit 19 in Allamuchy Township, take a right off the exit and follow county road 612 to Johnsonburg, where you will be making a right on Johnsonburg Bypass Road. After you turn, continue on until you come to state route 94 and take a left, continuing on this road until you reach the Millbrook Historic Village site and eventually Old Mine Road, where you will officially enter the park. As you get close, you'll be treated to some pretty spectacular views of the area. 

Once in the park, it's up to you to decide what to do! While there are tons of options for hiking, swimming, fishing and other outdoor recreation, my dog and I opted for a hike in Van Campens Glen: an easy hike through a shady, forested gorge with some gorgeous waterfalls along the way. You can find details about the short two mile hike through Van Campens Glen, up to Van Campen Falls, here. 

Since this trip is a bit more remote, I suggest packing lunch, bringing a book, your camera and spending most of your day in the park. After your hike, you can cool off with a quick dip in the Delaware or by splashing yourself with some ice cold water from one of the waterfalls on the trail. 

Watch out for the potholes on the park road, it can be quite rough! We visited on a Monday afternoon and the park was very quiet, if you visit on the weekend it tends to be very different. Also, remember that certain sites in the park have a self service pay station, where you are supposed to leave ten dollars as an entry fee so keep this in mind. 

Otherwise, you are ready to spend the day exploring one of the most visited National Parks in the country! It's easy to trade New York City for the seclusion of a lush green National Park... you just need to know where to go! 

Tomorrows Road Trip: Waterfalls at the Water Gap

Tomorrow my dog and I will be embarking on a solo day journey to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Center for some hiking, eating, photography and most importantly, fetch. We'll be hiking on the New Jersey side of the river, at a trailhead known as Van Campens Glen, though there are an abundance of trails on the Pennsylvania side as well. 

To prepare for our own trip, I did a little research regarding what to expect, as a slightly longer trip really requires proper preparation. I made sure it would be alright to bring my dog, mapped out some backroads to hit on my way there, and finally, checked out the trail itself. Above is a video from NJ.com of the crown jewel of this short hike, Van Campens Falls, about a mile walk through a vast forested gorge.

Check back tomorrow for a full recap of our trip to Van Campens Falls, complete with full day itinerary as well as current tips and suggestions if you are planning on visiting the park in the near future. See you tomorrow for the next trip!

Hiking and Pizza in Northern NJ: The Perfect Saturday Day Trip

It's easy to escape New York City for a quick road trip if you know where you're going. Some of the best trips can be some of the easiest, within just a couple hours of the city, making it easy to drive out and back in the same day. My favorite trips usually include a walk or hike, passing local points of interest and stopping for a delicious meal to cap it off. What better way to escape the city than heading out into nature and finishing your day with a home cooked meal. The following plans are for a quick trip to Passaic and Morris counties in NJ and if you are based in New York City you WILL NEED A CAR for this trip! 

Suggested steps for this mini road trip:

1. Go for a hike at Norvin Green State Forest in Wanaque, NJ
2. Stop for a full Italian dinner at Frank's Pizza in Lincoln Park, NJ
3. Take a walk down the eccentric Main Street in Boonton, home to various Sopranos lore and Scoop House's homemade ice cream

First off, you will want to get to the trailhead for Norvin Green State Forest in Wanaque, NJ. Throw "The Weis Center Wanaque" or "Highlands Natural Pool Wanaque" into the Waze app, (mentioned in my last post!) which will lead you directly to the parking lot at the base of the trail. Then head up the trail to Wyanokie High Point for some of the coolest views in the area. You can find trail directions for Wyanokie High Point and the rest of Norvin Green here. 

Next, since you are probably starving now, you'll want to head to Frank's Pizza in Lincoln Park, NJ. Throw it into Waze and make your way there, where you'll find massive slices of all sorts of pizza as well as some of the most generous portions in the area for their dinner options. For Fordham students, think Pugsley's with portions easily three times as large. You can't go wrong with anything from their menu, just make sure you have room in your fridge for some leftovers. You can find information on Frank's Pizza, including their telephone number, here.

Finally, before you head home, continue down route 287 south to Boonton for some ice cream, (if you still have room) to see where they shot multiple scenes from The Sopranos or just to people watch. Boonton is home to a lot of interesting and eccentric folk, so most New Yorkers won't feel too out of place. If you have any remaining space in your stomach, try Scoop House Boonton for a couple scoops of ice cream or cool down with a shake. If you have seen The Sopranos, which you should have, then go ahead and explore Dartford, their fictional name for Boonton. The Boonton based filming locations are available here, and there are quite a few in the immediate area. 

Now you should have all the elements of a quick, easy yet exciting escape from the fast pace of city life. Stick around as we venture further and further from New York City and stay tuned for more day trips in the New York, New Jersey area! See you on the road!

Planning a Perfect Day Trip

In the coming weeks, Road Trip NY will feature multiple day trips complete with suggestions on where to hike, where to eat and what to see. Some of this Summers featured trips include:

Panoramic Views in the Palisades 

• Hike the Palisades just minutes from New York City for views of the Hudson River, George Washington Bridge, Yonkers, the Bronx and Manhattan
• Eat a "ripper" - deep fried hot dogs for lunch at Ruts Hut in Clifton
• Catch a Yankees game on your way back to the Bronx

North Jersey Hike with a Pizza Prize

• Hike to one of the highest points in New Jersey for full 360 degree views of green hills, the Wanaque reservoir and New York City on the horizon
• Fill up on a classic Italian dinner at Frank's Pizza in Lincoln Park 
• Soak up Sopranos lore and filming locations in Boonton 

A Drive Down the Delaware River

• Hike Mount Tammany for views of Pennsylvania and the Delaware River 
• Head back towards the city and stop in Morristown for brats and a beer at Revolution Brew House
• Stop at Washington's Headquarters Museum to see where George Washington and the Continental Army set up camp during the Revolutionary War 

Stay tuned for full day itineraries complete with directions and suggestions. See you on the road!

Tourne Park: Hiking and Biking an Hour from NYC

Situated just thirty five miles outside New York City, Tourne Park, also known as the Tourne, offers some of the areas best hiking, running, biking and equestrian trails. Located in areas of Mountain Lakes, Boonton Township and Denville, the Tourne provides the curious outdoor lover with over 500 acres of woods, streams, mountains and meadows to explore.

If you are a road tripper in the Bronx or other areas of NYC, the easiest way to access the Tourne is by driving over the George Washington Bridge and following Route 80 to the Cherry Hill Road exit in Parsippany, about an hours drive depending on traffic, and proceeding into Mountain Lakes to the Birchwood Lake park entrance. If you are on campus and without a car, there are a couple different ways to reach the park. If you'd like to explore the Tourne on foot, take the subway into Manhattan and take the bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to the Mountain Lakes Boulevard stop. From there, you can walk to the entrance of the Tourne located on North Pocono Road. If you'd prefer to explore the park via bike, take the subway to Penn Station  -  you are allowed to bring your bike on both the subway and NJ Transit  -  take the train to the Denville stop and ride your bike over to the Tourne. 

Once you are there, there are trails that suit every level of explorer: short and flat 1.5  -  2 mile loops, moderate 3-4 mile loops through varying terrain and the most popular trip in the park, the top of the Tourne hike. The top of the Tourne hike begins in the parking lot where you will find basic amenities such as a port a potty, covered picnic area, outdoor grills and finally, separate trails for hikers and bikers. Follow the signs for your preferred method of exploring and begin up the hill. On your way you will find different flora and fauna, rocky outcroppings and wildlife. However, the real prize is at the top of the hill, where you will find a 9/11 memorial, including a full view of Manhattan off the eastern side of the hill. It's always rewarding to see where you started your journey as you take a moment to relax and appreciate your trip. 

Overall, the Tourne provides the perfect quiet, wooded escape within an hours drive of the city and is sure to have something for every type of outdoor explorer. Enjoy!