New Member

[Curt]

Hello all,

I just began reading John McPhee's book, and quickly became intrigued about the Pine Barrens. History and archeology and nature interest me, so without ever visiting, the Pine Barrens seem like a magical place to me.

I plan to quickly learn much more about the PB, with the idea of visiting for a week or so this summer or fall (I'll tell my wife of "our" plans later!). So, I would be interested in some direction from you veterans of this forum regarding (a) two or three books a novice might read to begin discovering the PB and its attractions; and (b) how someone might plan a visit (we are not campers, we would like to stay at nice motels/hotels on the outskirts and drive daily to access trails, places of interest, etc.).

I have a feeling answers await me if I spend some time going through the threads here, but I thought I would ask for some direction. Thanks for whatever help you can offer.

Curt (from eastern PA, raised in Essex County, NJ)

 

[Teegate]

You must purchase Forgotten Towns of South Jersey, More Forgotten Towns of South Jersey, and if you can find it on eBay at a decent price you should acquire Heart of the Pines. A much more expensive purchase would be The Trail of the Blue Comet.

There are many more books you may be interested in so if you tell us a little about what you hope to find when you come we may be able to point you to them.

Guy

 

[46er]

Welcome.

As far as a place to stay; the major roads and larger towns will normally have a chain motel within an easy drive to the section your visiting. On the eastern border are all the shore towns with many places to choose from. Might try Travelocity, Orbitz or if you belong to AAA, their online TripTiks are very easy to use in finding accomodations.

 

[Boyd]

Guy is absolutely right about the "must have" books. I have a lot of books on the pines, but these are some of my favorites. Some of them are out of print, others are readily available.

The Ecological Pine Barrens, by Howard P. Boyd
Pinelands Folklife, edited by Moonsammy, Cohen and Williams
Pine Barrens Ecosystems and Landscape, edited by Richard T. T. Forman
Protecting the New Jersey Pinelands, edited by Collins and Russell
Iron in the Pines, by Arthur D. Pierce
The Vegetation of the New Jersey Pine-Barrens, by Jown W. Harshberger

 

[Dragonfly Whisperer]

The Pine Barrens Field Guide by Howard Boyd is invaluable when exploring flora and fauna of the Pines. It entails everything from plant life to bugs, fish, critters and more. It also has a section on history.