Parker Preserve, a red toad, and the State Police

[Teegate]

All,

We decided to return to the site of the Parker Preserve Dedication that BobM and I attended to basically see if the sign was still there, and to see if there were any changes to the place. You can compare these photo's from last year and today.

Last year:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/8242004/IMG_4295.jpg

Today:

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/723-1/IMG_5723.jpg


Those flowers are everywhere in the bogs. Maybe Bob can tell me what they are.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/726-1/IMG_5730.jpg


In any event, if you have not been there yet you must get there. The vegetation is starting to grow and in a few years it will look completely different.

We also stumbled on this today. It is from the JCRR and it says " LOOK OUT for the Locomotive STOP & LISTEN." If it was intact it would be a nice piece.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/718-1/IMG_5717.jpg

We also found a red toad which I have never viewed before.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/729-1/IMG_5733.jpg

We then passed Carranza and the informational sign is now back. Steve...is it at the same location? Is it the same one?


http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/732-1/IMG_5740.jpg

And last we found the 89 and revisited the 91 Milepost on the JCRR and took their GPS readings.

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/teegate/main.php/download/735-1/IMG_5741.jpg

We were heading home and crossed High Crossing and had just about reached Carranza road, and we saw a State Police car rounding the sharp corner on Carranza and stop in the road in front of us. I plowed through the sand and as I reached the road it was obvious he wanted to talk to me. We both exited our cars and he asked what I was doing there. I guess riding in the woods is soon going to be a criminal offence! Anyway, I explained what I was doing, even showing him a photo from my camera, and he reluctantly headed on toward the Carranza Memorial.

Guy

 

[bobpbx]

Tell him none of his damn business Guy. I am really getting a little tired of authority.

That flower is Redroot or Lachnanthes caroliana. It is a common plant of cranberry bogs. Farmers get rid of them.

 

[BEHR655]

I would have told him I was plotting the overthrow of the world and it all starts in the Pines.

Re the location of the sign. Am I supposed to remember???

Steve

 

[Teegate]

Bob.....thanks for the info.

Steve......expect an email

I told the officer what I was doing along the JCRR, and he said he thought they did that with helicopters. I just said HELICOPTERS???

Guy

 

[Ben Ruset]

Guys the only way that you're going to get the rangers to tone down is if you call and write in complaints about being harassed by them. I guess I am lucky that I have never had a problem with them, but I'll tell you, the day that I do the ENTIRE world will know.

 

[Teegate]

I have never had a problem with them either. I try to avoid them at all cost.

Guy

 

[Ben Ruset]

actually i am dumb since it was a state police officer and not a ranger that gave you a hard time. of course they don't know anything about the woods. the guy was likely lost.

 

[Teegate]

I am willing to bet that since the Carranza incident they have placed more officers in that area. And we still don't know why the new sign at Carranza was gone for a while, so if it was damaged or taken and recovered, they are even more concerned on what goes on in that area.

I guess maybe seeing a car plowing through the sand seems out of place for them, but it seems perfectly normal to me from my point of view. Yet, I can't blame them for being concerned, and I am going to look at it from that view. It just seems to me that the criminals that do these things are not going to be out there on a Sunday morning.

Guy

 

[Boyd]

Also remember that's right around the corner from the Juvenile Detention Boot Camp. Maybe they were investigating something around there? Seems like the guy must have been out on some sort of call since that's not an area they would even pass through otherwise....

 

[Badfish740]

Not to stir up controversy but I wouldn't really call that harrassment or abusing authority. If he had told you to leave or searched your car etc...that would certainly be out of line. Of course I'm a little biased considering my brother is becoming a State Trooper. They've received a lot of flak in the past on account of a few bad apples and a lot of unfounded allegations but they're really a top notch law enforcement agency. They're also known among other state/highway patrol agencies as one of the toughest and best in the country. Anyway, in a rural area like that I don't think it really hurts for them to be aware of who is doing what.

 

[Teegate]

He was very nice and I have no complaints on how he treated me. I just think someone in that area driving down a dirt road is normal.

Guy

 

[Lorun]

The troopers may know of other problems in the area. I witnessed what I am sure was an exchange of money for drugs last year near the memorial.

 

[Teegate]

The troopers may know of other problems in the area. I witnessed what I am sure was an exchange of money for drugs last year near the memorial.

I don't doubt that. I am sure they have been asked to patrol more often there to help out the rangers. Nothing wrong with that.

Guy

 

[ecampbell]

I saw state troopers in Wharton on 2 occasions last year.

In the fall I was shutteling kayaks at Hampton Furnace and was in the process of swaping cars when a state uniformed tropper came by in a state ranger SUV. We both got out and talked. He just wanted to know if both cars were mine. I'm glad he asked, and he was smiling and plesant.

On an early spring morning I was walking Willow at Hampton Furnace when a state police patrol car passed me while I was walking near the Skit Branch bridge. He just waved, but I wish he had stopped because I was wondering what was up, especially since I go there several times a week. He came by again when we were at the canoe launch. He then drove down the railroad bridge access road.

Willow
http://forums.njpinebarrens.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=308&pos=1
Ed

 

[Teegate]

I wonder if a few of the rangers have left leaving them shorthanded?

Guy

 

[Teegate]

This trooper I encountered was also pleasant. He did not ask to even see my license. I guess the photo I showed him, the fact I was wearing Bobs hiking pants, and Jessica was in the car made him believe my story so that he did not have to check any further.

Guy

 

[bobpbx]

Alright you guys, enough! I give! I won't badmouth them anymore!

 

[uuglypher]

Willow's beautiful!
I'm a retired vet with a particular soft spot for Danes ... particularly Harlequins.

Dave

 

[pinelandpaddler]

Yeah, Willow is a good looking pup, Ed.

In my experience, the troopers are generally much nicer and more respectful than your average ranger.