The Sterling Hill Mines and other New Jersey, NJ Off The Beaten Path Tips

Mine

At the mines you can take a tour of what used to be a fully functioning mine. Nowadays the only mining that goes on there is on the last Sunday of every month when you can go there and mine all you want! Admission for this is $10 per person and $1 extra for every pound you get over 10 pounds. There are equipment requirements for the mining excursions, you will need: Safety goggles, Rugged footwear, Proper rock hammers or sledge hammers.
They have a lot of rocks that glow under special lights, so if you are a collector (I know someone who does this) It's a great place to go. You should bring your own UV light, they do not provide them.
There is also an interesting museum and gift shop full of all kinds of mining paraphenalia nd many many types of rocks.

The Museum is open from April 1 to November 30, seven days a week. Closed for Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving. Gift shop hours 10 A.M.- 3 P.M.
Admissions are:

$9.50 for adults

$8.50 for senior citizens

$7.00 for anyone under 12 years of age.

Address: 30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg, NJ 074395b

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Phone: 973 209-7212
Website: http://www.sterlinghill.org/

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Off The Beaten Path: Stone Living Room

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Updated by kazander

on Oct 6, 2004

The Stone Living Room is shrouded in mystery. Who built it and when? The rumors are numurous. Some say it was an old hippie, some say a religeous cult, yet other speculate that it was a secret sect of the Masons. Who knows?
What I know is that it's a really cool place to watch the sunset, it's up on top of a mountain with spectacular treetop views of the surrounding area. The chairs are surprisingly comfy. I am preferable to the one with the footrest ;)

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Off The Beaten Path: Lakota Wolf Preserve

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Updated by kazander

on Oct 6, 2004

wolfman

The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located near the Delaware water gap in NJ. Not only do they have tours of the premises with a very informative guide (see picture), but you can exclusively sponsor a wolf. The sponsorship goes to the support and care of the wolves. Depending on how much you spend, you also receive a magnet or a t-shirt and a little bio and photograph of "your" wolf. They also have special photographic sessions. It is pretty pricey to do this , $300-$500, but if you do the regular tour which costs only $15 you have chain link in your pix.
The regular session was good enough for me. While I am a photographer, I wasn't planning on selling any wolf pictures, though it would've been nice not to have the chain link fence there. Alas, I couldn't justify the cost. Cest la vie

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Website: http://www.lakotawolf.com/index.htm

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Off The Beaten Path: Discover Alpacas

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Updated by kazander

on Aug 19, 2004

alpaca for sale!

I saw a sign along the highway on my way to work one day,that said "Discover Alpacas". I was intrigued, so that weekend I went! And discover alpacas I did. I enjoyed it so much that I returned the folowing year.
It's is a small festival of sorts where alpaca owners get to show off their handsome animals. It is held in a different location every year so be sure to check the website. Primarily they are trying to sell their alpacas to other alpaca farmers. No one is very pushy about it though, so feel free to walk around. There is also a little store or market area , depending on where the event is held that year, that sells alpaca products. You can get some socks or a sweater, or yarn to knit your own! Food vendors are also on the premises, though last time we brought a picnic.

The next "Discover Alpacas" is on Saturday April 17th 2004
656 River Road Hillsborough, NJ
See ya there!

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Website: http://alpacanation.com/events/NL_vieweventdetail.asp?EID=10306

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Off The Beaten Path: Ringwood State Park

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Written by kazander

on Mar 24, 2004

Frog on Log in the Bog

This is a great park not 20 minutes away from my house. Besides the hiking and trails there are beautiful manicured gardens. There are also secret nooks, like the "frog bog", a swampy little area that has a ton of croaking frogs, some that even sit on logs...in the bog...
Anyway, like I was saying, places like the Rhododendron Garden and the apple tree grove. Two long lines of apple trees that parade down a field. Near the Manor house there are a bunch of formal gardens with fountains. Sometimes there are weddings there. What a lovely setting!
In the early fall, the flower gardens are great places to go to see butterflies, especially monarchs.

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Website: http://www.njbg.org/

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Off The Beaten Path: Hike to an abadoned burnt down castle

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Updated by kazander

on Apr 16, 2004

Castle water tower

Just off of Skyline Drive in Oakland, NJ, is a wonderful set of hiking trails in the Ramapo Mountain State Forest. The main trail leads you up past a babbling stream filled with little waterfalls, then up and around a beautiful lake and if you go up even futher, you will eventually reach the remains of a mountaintop castle that has long ago burnt down. Formerly known as the Van Slyke Castle. It has a gorgeous vantage point with lake and Ramapo mountain views. Definately one of of my NJ must sees!

the picture is of one of the castles outbuildings.

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Website: http://www.users.nac.net/axtell/History.htm#Ramapo%20State%20Forest

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Off The Beaten Path: "The Rez"

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Updated by kazander

on Oct 25, 2004

Buttercup Falls at Ramapo

by kazander , 2 more photos

For a bit of local hiking we like to head up Route 202 to Ramapo Reservation. I remember coming up here in High school and going swimming with all my friends in the upper lake. Actually I don't think you are supposed to go swimming there at all.....hmm. Anyway there are a good amount of things to see here. Lakes, rivers, a waterfall, some old stone remains of houses. The houses are kind of scary in a Blair Witch kind of way. But it's a beautiful place to relax. Many people bring their dogs along. It's also a great place for fishing, just make sure you have a valid fishing license if you are over 18.
I just visited the "rez" this fall. The autumn colors were at their peak, or almost!. I hiked partway up the main trail and then down a very steep hill to the base of the waterfall. It was perfect weather, I got up early so I had the place to myself, perfect for picture taking! Lookout for a new travelogue once the pictures are processed!

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Off The Beaten Path: Historic Long Pond Ironworks

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Updated by kazander

on Oct 11, 2004

Long Pond Ironworks

I have passed by the Ironworks an uncountable amount of times without really knowing the extent of the interesting things there were to discover within.
We were lucky enough to get a personal tour of the site with a very informative guide who explained the history of the place while taking us to all of the buildings that remained of the once bustling ironworks and the homes in which the workers lived. She also explained the process in which the iron was forged.
This site is in the process of restoration and any contribution is welcome.
In November, lantern tours are given in the evening. Which sounds like a very fascinating way to experience this place.
Set next to the picturesque Monksville Resevoir, it was the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

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Phone: 973-657-1688
Website: www.longpondironworks.org

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Off The Beaten Path: Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton NJ

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Written by kazander

on Jan 4, 2005

My Aunt lives not far at all from New Jersey's oldest zoo, the Cohanzick Zoo, located in Cumberland County which is in southern NJ.. Though it isn't big, it's a nice relaxing place to spend the day. The things that stand out vivdly in my mind about it, are the many peacocks that were strutting around, and the beautiful white tiger exhibit.

(I will be digging up some photos)

Hours of Operation:
Spring/Summer - 10:00am to 6:00pm
Fall/Winter - 9:00am to 4:00pm

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Website: http://www.co.cumberland.nj.us/tourism/cohanzick_zoo/

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Off The Beaten Path: Bobolink Farm

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Updated by kazander

on Oct 28, 2005

Bobolink Dairy farm

by kazander , 3 more photos