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Osprey nesting platform at the Refuge
Atlantic City from the Refuge.JPG)
Baby Canadian Goose chicks on the RefugeDay 5 April 24, 2009 SUNNY ALL DAY
It was a completely sunny day all day, and with it came a swift wind that both made it feel cooler than 61 F and also kept the birds down in sheltered areas. So you know already that the count was down, although we did get to three units of the Forsythe NWR to explore and spend time in.
Our first goal in the morning was to get Ruth some time at a chiropractor to straighten out the kinks that had developed from the long ride over here. We did find one in Baragat and after our first bird exploration, stopped there for treatment.
As I indicated earlier, the units of this NWR are split in places by private holdings and towns so getting to them are rather circuitous, but they do offer a chance to see the towns and local flavor of the communities. The towns of Baragat, Manahawkin, Stafford, West Creek, Parker Cove and Tuckerton are all included in the Wildlife Reserve area. The roads are narrow and in many places lined with shops and small stores of all types. Our survey showed that chiropractors, lawyers, marine supplies, and dentists were the primary occupants. One shop we stopped at in the afternoon was a combination, seafood (fresh), sandwich, dinner, florist and bakery. Dan, the former mayor was running around like a one armed paper hanger. It was the sign, "Fresh Baked Pies” that was the magnet that brought us to a halt in the parking lot. Besides the five berry pie, we bought two ‘crab stuffed’ mushrooms for a side dish tomorrow night. The scallops looked the best although FRESH tuna, Atlantic salmon, shrimp and many kinds of clams were in season.
It was a completely sunny day all day, and with it came a swift wind that both made it feel cooler than 61 F and also kept the birds down in sheltered areas. So you know already that the count was down, although we did get to three units of the Forsythe NWR to explore and spend time in.
Our first goal in the morning was to get Ruth some time at a chiropractor to straighten out the kinks that had developed from the long ride over here. We did find one in Baragat and after our first bird exploration, stopped there for treatment.
As I indicated earlier, the units of this NWR are split in places by private holdings and towns so getting to them are rather circuitous, but they do offer a chance to see the towns and local flavor of the communities. The towns of Baragat, Manahawkin, Stafford, West Creek, Parker Cove and Tuckerton are all included in the Wildlife Reserve area. The roads are narrow and in many places lined with shops and small stores of all types. Our survey showed that chiropractors, lawyers, marine supplies, and dentists were the primary occupants. One shop we stopped at in the afternoon was a combination, seafood (fresh), sandwich, dinner, florist and bakery. Dan, the former mayor was running around like a one armed paper hanger. It was the sign, "Fresh Baked Pies” that was the magnet that brought us to a halt in the parking lot. Besides the five berry pie, we bought two ‘crab stuffed’ mushrooms for a side dish tomorrow night. The scallops looked the best although FRESH tuna, Atlantic salmon, shrimp and many kinds of clams were in season.
One road called the "Bridge to Nowhere Rd., was so bad we travelled 4 miles on it, never seeing the end of it, as it was so filled wth potholes and puddles that after 30 minutes (4 miles) we turned around and returned to civilization. A man said it was only maintained during hunting season to get the hunters out to the salt flats. The bridge had been recently rebuiltto connect the marshes, but the local youths burned it down soon after.
As is the case on these off the road trips, we missed seing the road for one of the units in the afternoon. Unfortunately we missed the road and that stop for birds, but fortunately we did see the sign for PIES, so it was not entirely in vain. (The pie is deeeelicious.)
As I indicated the bird count was down today, but we did add two new birds in the Nashville Warbler and the Spotted Towhee. We identified 29 species today.
Tonight at the campground the “weekenders” have come in, at least a few tent campers and a some pop ups that are nearby. It is still a very quiet place. This campground (perhaps the only one on our trip) has no sewer pipes and so uses what is called a “honey dipper” or “Honey wagon: to remove sewage water from the trailers. This is the first time we will have used that feature in all the traveling we have done. Usually we can go 4 days – 5 days before removing the sewage. When there is a sewer hook up at the site we will release the waste every two to three days. (I thought you would like to know that phase of camping in an RV.)
The only work I did on the trailer was to secure a longer bolt for the hitch as the Toyota hitch receptacle is much wider than our one on the Expedition and will not allow the “key” to be secured properly. I did find one that works with a snap lock today and it seems to do the job.
The sky again tonight is clear and crisp. I will take advantage of this “Bermuda High” to observe a few constellations and some Galaxies. Do you know how to find a Galaxy besides The Milky Way?
Next messages will be from Cape May where we will be from Sunday to Friday AM. There is no on site Wi-Fi here so we packed it into one night.
Thanks for following along.
As is the case on these off the road trips, we missed seing the road for one of the units in the afternoon. Unfortunately we missed the road and that stop for birds, but fortunately we did see the sign for PIES, so it was not entirely in vain. (The pie is deeeelicious.)
As I indicated the bird count was down today, but we did add two new birds in the Nashville Warbler and the Spotted Towhee. We identified 29 species today.
Tonight at the campground the “weekenders” have come in, at least a few tent campers and a some pop ups that are nearby. It is still a very quiet place. This campground (perhaps the only one on our trip) has no sewer pipes and so uses what is called a “honey dipper” or “Honey wagon: to remove sewage water from the trailers. This is the first time we will have used that feature in all the traveling we have done. Usually we can go 4 days – 5 days before removing the sewage. When there is a sewer hook up at the site we will release the waste every two to three days. (I thought you would like to know that phase of camping in an RV.)
The only work I did on the trailer was to secure a longer bolt for the hitch as the Toyota hitch receptacle is much wider than our one on the Expedition and will not allow the “key” to be secured properly. I did find one that works with a snap lock today and it seems to do the job.
The sky again tonight is clear and crisp. I will take advantage of this “Bermuda High” to observe a few constellations and some Galaxies. Do you know how to find a Galaxy besides The Milky Way?
Next messages will be from Cape May where we will be from Sunday to Friday AM. There is no on site Wi-Fi here so we packed it into one night.
Thanks for following along.
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