Jockey Hollow--A Great Place To Vist with Kids

Yesterday we took the kids up to Jockey Hollow and Washington's Headquarters in Morristown--what a great place to visit!  We had been there before in the Spring and the Fall, but there is still plenty to do in the winter months.  You really get more of a feel of what Washington's troops went through during the winter they camped there (which was the coldest and snowiest for the area in recorded history).  OK--so we went yesterday, when the temperature was near 50 degrees, instead of today, when it's in the 20s, but still....)

The Ford Mansion, which is where Washington had his headquarters, was open not only for tours, but for special kid-tours, which they have from time to time.  Really great for the kids, with a scavenger hunt, fascinating and educational information, and even some fun trivia, too (like how they used the bathrooms in those days).  And there is a small museum across the road too.

But the really fun part is Jockey Hollow, which is a bit of a distance away (but still part of the same National park) where the soldiers made camp, nearby to the Wick Farmhouse, which is still in existence.  There is another visitor center, with a completely different movie (and gift shop items), that you should stop at before exploring--you should get a park map, showing the driving tour route with lots of sites, for instance.

We explored the soldiers' barracks (really huts), which have seen some major damage since our last visit, presumably because of Hurricane Sandy.  In fact, many, many trees in the park were damaged because of the hurricane. We also toured Wick Farm, and listened to a short, kid-friendly presentation on the role of African Americans in the Revolution.  Did you know that African Americans and women made the best Colonial spies, because the British didn't even pay any attention to them and let them come and go across enemy lines?  Or that the American army was more integrated during the Revolution than at any time until President Truman ordered the armed forces to become fully integrated during the Korean War? 

And, of course, the park is FULL of miles of hiking trails studded here and there with historical foundations, and there are plenty of fields where kids can just run around.  Definitely worth a visit with the kids, any time of the year.  Here's the website if you are looking for more information: http://www.nps.gov/morr/index.htm .

Enjoy!  And take lots of pictures!

New Year, new writing adventures

As some of you may know, I have started writing articles for my local paper, WWP News, and its sister paper U.S. 1.  It is quite an experience--having to write things by a set deadline, calling people at the last minute to get more info for a story, the works!  But I am really enjoying it.

I am still taking time to visit lots of cool places with my family.  Over the holidays, we visited Morven (again)--the former Governors' mansion in Princeton, NJ.  Check out the article I wrote about it below. 

And--for a short time, you can combine a trip to Princeton with a trip to the Pine Barrens--the new exhibit at Morven features photos from various sites in the Pine Barrens 9which was of course our summer trip last year). The exhibit opens on January 25th, and ends on April 14, so don't miss it!

Once Home to NJ's Elite, Morven Now Brings History to The Common Folk

Once Home to Nj's Elite, Morven Now Brings History to The Common Folk

New Year, New Design, and Soon New Posts!

One thing I have learned about having a blog is that it is REALLY HARD to keep up with it, even if you have decided to write for a living!  One of my New Year's resolutions is to do better (and to hopefully attract more followers as well).

And I also want to encourage more participation--so if anyone has a local or not so local travel tip, idea, story, or just plain funny moment, please share it!  That way this blog will become more useful to everyone!

In thew meantime, I am going to seek out new adventures for 2013, and do a better job of writing about our travels in 2012.

Cheers!

Insectropolis: a Creepy, Crawly and FUN Museum in Central NJ

Insectropolis: a Creepy, Crawly and FUN Museum in Central Nj

Halloween Fun with Spiders...and Scooby Doo!

Looking for some Halloween fun this weekend?  Too rainy to go pumpkin-picking?  Why not head over to Insectropolis, in Toms River, NJ for some zany Halloween fun?

Insectropolis is fun any time of year but this weekend is their annual Halloween mystery adventure, starring Scooby Doo and his pals.  Called Boo at the Zoo With Scooby Doo: Mystery of the Missing Gold Beetle, this family-friendly event is a perfect evening activity for kids who are too young to go to a Haunted house or hayride.  I have taken my kids and they had a blast!  But it fills up quickly, so go early, or buy your tickets online.  

Basic info:

Friday, Oct 12, 2012     Open 5-8pm

Saturday, Oct 13, 2012   Open 5-8pm 

Tickets are $8 per person.

Insectropolis is located at 1761 Route 9, Toms River, NJ 08755.

For general information about regular visiting hours, admission prices and exhibits, visit their website at 

http://www.insectropolis.com .

Want to read a first-hand account of our visit to Insectropolis?  Then check out my article, which I have posted here as well.

See you there!

Our summer vacation in southern New Jersey

We spent a fun week in late August exploring southern NJ.  We were based in Galloway, and went all over--the shore, the Pine Barrens, and lots of fun places in between.  I will be (hopefully) publishing articles about many of our adventures, and adding them to my blog.

The first one describes one of the spots we visited--Historic Smithville.  It is posted below.  Check it out to learn why we thought Smithville was such a fun place that we visited it twice!  And keep in mind, Historic Snithville is open all year round, so you can visit it any time!