by Charlie Fineran

Hi Everyone:

Nice to be back in the “Swing of Things” sending my Monday email messages!!  Had a few issues and some technical challenges, which all seemed to pop up and prevent my sending email messages for the last couple of weeks.

A few days ago, last Thursday, Feb. 29th, 2024, went on one of my Out and About Trips – looking for stuff!!! Photos started along Paulinskill in Blairstown and continued on up through Millbrook Village, onto Old Mine Road. I stayed on Old Mine Road, up into the Peters Valley section of DWGNRA, ending my visit on Thunder Mountain Road, before calling it a day and heading home.

SEVERAL OBSERVATIONS:

FIRST: It will be four years from yesterday before I can repeat THIS trip again!! Feb. 29th!! This is leap year!!

SECOND: While looking through these photos, became aware of a new fact for me – HAPPY FIRST DAY OF METEOROLOGICAL SPRING – March 1st!! Meteorologically speaking, Winter is December, January and February!! Officially or astronomically speaking, Spring isn’t until March 19th, 2024 when the sun passes above the equator or Vernal Equinox!! I have included a couple of photos depicting some early Spring blooms!! Actually pre Spring blooms!!  Pondering on this information, especially looking at weather, as it applies to our region here in New Jersey, I am not sure about the picking of December as a winter month over March!!  Winter doesn’t begin until the end of December, the 21^st whereas March doesn’t end winter until the 20^th!!  Next point, Weather issues, such as cold temperatures, snow amounts, winds etc., etc. I personally vote for March over December.  PSYCHOLOGICALLY – I have to give December the edge, We are all down and out, shorter daylight hours, temperatures dropping and just knowing we have all those months of winter weather coming!!!  In March, as bad as March can be, HEY, we are over the hump, can start feeling the sun and get teases of warmer days, Soo psychologically I will vote for March as a Spring month.

THIRDLY – from Millbrook Village heading north, along Old Mine Road, until the point where Old Mine Road makes a left turn, heading towards Van Campen’s Inn, my Motis Operandi was to travel about 5mph or less, looking into and through the woods for STUFF!!

NOTE#1: From Millbrook Village going north, I did not see another person or vehicle, until I was passed by a bi-cyclist, at the entrance to the Hercules Rod & Gun Club!!!

NOTE#2: Shortly after the bike passing incident, I came across two young men from NJ Fish & Game walking along the roadway. They made the comment, I was the first vehicle they observed, they also mentioned the cyclist!!

What a beautiful cold crisp and clear day!! I have labeled the photos.  My subject title, “Spring Has Arrived”  may just be a little premature and optimistic?  BUT IT IS COMING!!!

Enjoy Your Open Space

THANK YOU ALLAMUCHY TOWNSHIP for your continued support enabling me to continue my Open Space Outreach!!

Charlie Fineran