This Week in the New Jersey Skylands

July 23 - 30

Summer's warming up! Time to be cool. Here's how:

Cool Floats

You stand by an access point to a broad but quiet stream. Sunglasses, dry bags with sandwiches and cookies, hats, paddles and seat cushions lie in the canoe. Two wear-at-all-times flotation devices are already buckled on. You are suited up and ready to paddle. First, some frank talk about the canoeing experience. Then a paddling potpourri. Explore a small stream along the Skylands Loop. When you're done, you'll be ready for big time strokes on the Delaware. If possible, plan your trip for a weekday, and you'll feel like your have the river all to yourself.

Upper Delaware

Indian Head Canoes
Canoe, raft, kayak, camping on the upper Delaware River. New log cabins, easy 2 hour drive from NYC, family specials, group rates. 1-800-874-2628
Kittatinny Canoes and Rafts
Canoe, whitewater raft, kayak, tube and camp on the Delaware River. Bimonthly learn to canoe and kayak days. Scouts/church youth groups camp free.
Dingmans Ferry , 1-800-FLOATKC
Silver Canoe and Raft Rentals
Canoe, rafts and kayak rentals on the Delaware River. Low rates, group rates, prompt and friendly service. 1 1/2 hr from NYC. 1-800-724-8342

Delaware Water Gap Area

Adventure Sports
Specialty in canoe, kayak & raft trips through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 2 mi. off I-80, exit 309. 1-800-487-2628
Chamberlain Canoes, Rafts, Tubes
One or milti-day trips for groups of all sizes, overnight river camping. Located one mile off Rt. 80 in PA Poconos. 1-800-422-6631
Kayak East
ACA certified instructors. Kayak classes and guided tours for adults and children. Various locations in northern and central New Jersey. 1-866-529-2532

Hunterdon and Bucks (PA) Counties

Bucks County River Country
Tubing, calm water rafting, canoeing & kayaking trips on the Delaware River in historic Bucks County (near New Hope, PA). 40 years of family fun for all ages. “We love to see you wet!" 215/297-5000
Delaware River Tubing
Affordable relaxation for you and your family or group on a leisurely drift down the river. Your trip includes a free floating barbecue lunch! Easy access 1 mi. south of Frenchtown. 908/996-5386

Cool Savings! Click for Delaware River Trip Discounts!

Fast Pitch

The Sussex Skyhawks begin a seven game home stand on Thursday, July 23, playing the two teams just ahead of them in the standings, Worcester and then Quebec. A good showing over the stretch could vault the team into third place in the Canadian American Professional Baseball League and put them in a position to defend last year's championship. The Skyhawks boast three out of the top ten hitters in the league, one of whom, Mikail Jova (.332), leads the league in RBIs with 44. Three of the leagues top ten pitchers also wear the Skyhawks cap.

The Skyhawks play at Skylands Park in Augusta. The 4,258 blue seats, which situate every spectator on top of the action, extend down the right and left field lines, leading into picnic areas at both ends. The outfield wall is covered with billboards promoting area businesses; deluxe skyboxes look down upon a grass and dirt field that glistens under the sun, a reminder of baseball in its purest form. Beyond the scoreboard and outfield fence is a thicket of green trees, lending a pastoral feel to the grand old game.

Cool Kids

JUNIOR ZOOKEEPER DAY is Saturday, July 25. Visit Space Farms Zoo and Museum for a special hands on day with animals at the zoo geared for 5-15 year olds. 218 Rt 519, Beemerville. 973/875-5800

Tomahawk Lake is a classic family daytrip destination

On The Beach

TOMAHAWK LAKE in Sparta provides an immaculate sand bottom that slopes gently out to floating rafts. Outside the swimming areas, you can enjoy rowboats, paddle boats, and new 4-lane racing slides. Back ashore you can visit a large refreshment stand, outdoor beer garden (with live weekend entertainment), an ice cream trailer, a novelty trailer, an arcade, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a putting green and a ball field. For information call the lake office at (973) 398-7777 or click.

In Flight Balloon Adventures

Cool Breeze

If you can find a way this summer, try a hot-air balloon ride. It’s the ultimate cradle! Breathtaking panoramas- farms, woods, lakes, rivers, deer, horses, dogs, backyards, decks, people working, people playing, architecture, and the sun on the horizon- all immediately remarkable. And listen to the crystal clear sounds of life below you. As you descend closer to the treetops the smell of the forest hits you like when you put your face close to the earth. The feeling in the basket is free and unrestricted. There is little feeling of motion, just being part of a gentle carriage through space. And there is an even more powerful feeling of being connected to the earth. It is a unique and remarkable perspective. Read more, then reach for the sky!

Subscribe!

Spread your wings and reach for the Skylands this and every week this summer. Don't wait; the days are already getting shorter! Northwest New Jersey and destinations just beyond those borders, in Pennsylvania and New York, are equally intriguing and convenient offer colorful ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Keep an eye on our calendar for great things to do all the time! And we've got a crop of new stories to help you on your way.

If you like what you read and don't subscribe, you can get a copy of our summer publication here. If you've received free copies for a while, and you'd like to continue, please consider a paid subscription. It has become impossible to fulfill our entire list for free. Or you can pick up a copy at any one of our distribution points.

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