First Road Trip Since December

[james ungehajer]

I finally got out in the car since December, before i talk about the outing i like to discuss about how i purchased the book The Trail Of The Blue Comet.

I have been wanting to go to the last two book signings in Sweetwater, but something always came up to prevent me, this year it was a blown head gasket on my car.

I know it was selling at Abe's book for $250.00, but i refuse to pay that for any book. I did an internet search and found a price of $75.00 at Monmouth Coin and Stamp in Red Bank, the Red Bank at the Navesink River, not the one at the Delaware River.

I called the place and he said that the book was sold and that it was in less than pristine condition, but, he just purchased a copy at an auction in mint condition still in shrink wrap and i could have it for $125.00, i jumped at it.

A pic of the book.

Now for my Saturday outing with my friend, i first stopped at Wells Mill Park as i had some business to attend to there, then off to my old marina to chat over past good times, on the way back to civilization, i wanted to show my friend a site i have been to before but it was a first for him. Slightly off the trail we noticed this.

My friend uprighted the stone and the inscription looks to be Nj19.

Then arriving back at the car we went to Friendship, taking the following two pics, i have to say i liked it better when it was overgrown, with everything exposed there is a greater chance for vandalism and graffitti artists, which i detest.

A four wheel drive nirvana.

Then off to Atsion for a restoration check up. Does anyone know what the concrete wall is on the right side of the mansion ?

Back in the car then off to the Chew- Pestletown area. The Chew Cemetery.

Then for a final pic of the day, a Camden- Atlantic County marker. I know at least of two people on the website who know where the exact location is.

Time to call it a day and head to my other friends house in Tabernacle for some refreshments. All in all my extreme cabin fever is over.

Jim

 

[Teegate]

Those Atlantic County monuments are more elaborate than any others I have visited. Now you need to visit the 3 county monument. That will tire you out and tear your skin off And get you wet. But before you try that one check out Jessica's expression after we finally arrived there.

Nice photo's Jim. And that is 19 as you mentioned. Just checked.

Guy

 

[james ungehajer]

Guy

Like i said before Jess is a trooper, the tri county is one place i will never get to due to my muskoskeletal problems, i am limited to 10 minute walks then i have to stop and rest.

Where the dual marker is has to be one of the most tick infested areas i have ever been to.

Is it possible when you have the time to post a pic of the tri county marker for all the members to see ? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jim

 

[Ben Ruset]

I think they're going to rebuild the porch that wraps around the side of the mansion, and that wall will support that. That's just my hypothesis.

I was really nervous when I saw the vertical saw marks in the old siding where the door is -- I'm glad there was a door hidden there.

I am also really surprised to see that the mansion was built of sandstone. I had always assumed it was brick.

 

[MarkBNJ]

Someone mentioned earlier that the concrete was to support a handicapped access ramp.

 

[LARGO]

Jim,
It would seem you made a good day of it and shared some good findings.
I am pleased the Chew Cemetary and the Camden Atlantic marker did find their way in to your day. I wasn't sure you'd find the marker.
Good find on the book by the way.
I would concur with some others here the premise of the concrete wall although on larger projects I have seen a similar tactic employed as a temporary means a work base on a project. A concrete scaffold if you will.
A good day for it indeed.

g.

 

[james ungehajer]

George

In the near future i will be making more car trips in your area, Rockwood, Parkdale etc. Right now i am trying to plan the best way to go to Parkdale with the Taurus, in by way of Rt.206, or see how far i can go up the Fleming Pike.

Jim

 

[Ben Ruset]

Go in from 206. I think you can get all the way in from there. If not, it's not a long walk.

 

[james ungehajer]

https://apps.fivestardealers.com/ve...&pid=&rid=&bid=&daaXmlPath=&dealerBrand=Multi

Ben

Thank you for the info for the way in to Parkdale.

Now if you could help me with your Jeep expertise.

I have looked at Ford escapes, Jeep Liberty Sports, and currently new they are out of my price range, the Kelly Blue Book, and the NADA book have a high retail on the above vehicle of $9500, this vehicle started at $10,900, i was thinking about offering $9000.

I know it has 71,000 miles on it, but this does fit my feeds.

Any of your expertise would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

 

[LARGO]

George
In the near future i will be making more car trips in your area, Rockwood, Parkdale etc. Right now i am trying to plan the best way to go to Parkdale with the Taurus, in by way of Rt.206, or see how far i can go up the Fleming Pike.
Jim

Jim,
In a dry environment, with a little attention to sandy areas, there really isn't much of anything back here your car won't get you to with a reasonable degree of discretion. Only Wharton Ave from the Fleming to Pestletown and the Wharton State Forest Road that Parallels it is a "stay away" zone for your car. You can even get close enough to points of interest to not have to walk much. As with this last trip, any questions you have that I can help on I will be glad to answer if I can.


g.

 

[james ungehajer]

Thanks George, this Saturday looks like the best day of the weekend, if everything goes as planned i will be out your way early in the morning.

Jim

 

[Ben Ruset]

Owning a Wrangler is a unique experience. It's not the most practical vehicle, but it's fun. What it lacks is cargo capacity (unless you take the back seat out) and comfort.

97 was the first year of that style Wrangler. It's got the great 4.0L engine, but the automatic transmission is iffy. Chrysler has never really been able to make a great auto trans. Plan on spending $1500-2000 if it goes. I think the price they're asking is a bit on the high side. If you could get that for $6-7k then it'd be a better deal. Remember, nobody's buying SUV's right now because of the insane gas prices (oh, you'll be getting 15MPG with that thing) so use that to your advantage.

If I were you I'd also be looking at the 1998-2001 Jeep Cherokee. Every bit as capable off-road, and some of them have a more practical 4WD system (Selec-Trac, which lets you drive in 4WD on the pavement in the rain), four doors, and more cargo capacity. Plus, they depreciated like rocks where the Wrangler tends to hold it's value much more.

Steve has an Escape that he's taken all over the woods. They're nice, but they're a totally different beast than a Jeep. It'd be a much better on-road SUV. I just don't like the interior in them.

https://apps.fivestardealers.com/ve...&pid=&rid=&bid=&daaXmlPath=&dealerBrand=Multi

Ben

Thank you for the info for the way in to Parkdale.

Now if you could help me with your Jeep expertise.

I have looked at Ford escapes, Jeep Liberty Sports, and currently new they are out of my price range, the Kelly Blue Book, and the NADA book have a high retail on the above vehicle of $9500, this vehicle started at $10,900, i was thinking about offering $9000.

I know it has 71,00 miles on it, but this does fit my feeds.

Any of your expertise would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

 

[james ungehajer]

Ben

Thank you for your expertise on Jeeps, you have cleared up my thinking on the matter completely, i talked to numerous people who do not and never owned a Jeep from where i live, they enlisted their opinions, but i wanted a man with many years of experience.

Some of my pro and cons.

1) 71,000 miles on it, i do not like to buy a used vehicle with over 30,000 on it, yes i could get a lemon with 10,000 miles on it, but a former supervisor of mine where i used to work brought a 2001 Grand Cherokee with 112,000 miles on it 2 years ago and has not had a problem since. It is an auto trans.

2) Auto vs. manual- I prefer and always have preferred an auto trans, the last time i drove a stick was in the 70's, a 1973 corvette, but living in the city with the numerous stop signs and red lights is a pain. But considering the auto trans problems with Chrysler it might have to live with.

3) Cargo space- No problem for me since the Jeep would only be used to go to the Pines, the Taurus would be used for the Shopping.

4) Soft top- A big problem, living in the city with no garage and parking it on my street would be and easy invite for theft and vandalism, but, now i heard through a non owner that the soft top can be converted to a hard top for $500., is that correct ?

5) Get me to the point or the closet point that i want to go in the Pines- A definite plus considering my very limited walking ability, now for instance, say i want to go to Jemina Mt. from the town of Mount, there is go arounds, even with a four wheel drive i will still not go through those lakes on that road, i will still sticks to the go arounds, i will in most cases avoid the washouts. I saw a vehicle with a snorkel in the Speedwell area back in December, and getting a flooded out vehicle is a no-no.

Getting to Parkdale and other assorted soft sand places i would be a lot more secure, and then i would not have to ask if a road was carable.

I will give the dealership an offer of $7500 for the vehicle soon,it has gone nowhere for 3 months. I will see what happens.

Thank you for your input.

Jim

 

[Ben Ruset]

4) Soft top- A big problem, living in the city with no garage and parking it on my street would be and easy invite for theft and vandalism, but, now i heard through a non owner that the soft top can be converted to a hard top for $500., is that correct ?

I will give the dealership an offer of $7500 for the vehicle soon,it has gone nowhere for 3 months. I will see what happens.

You might be able to find a hard top for $500. It'd definitely have to be used, and if you care for the rear defroster to work you'll have to wire it up yourself since (presumably) that soft top Jeep wasn't sold with a factory hard top and wouldn't be pre-wired.

I'd offer them less and work up. $7500 is a lot of money to pay, and you should be able to get a deal since it's sat for so long. They probably paid $4-5k for it at auction.