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October 15 - 22

Fields of Fun

It all starts in the dirt and rises to the top, and October is the time to find your field of fun. So make a list! Could be an apple orchard, lines of ageless trees laden with the mythical fruit, each cultivated for its own purpose. But you can pick more than apples. You can get all kinds of late season vegetables and berries. And it's not too early to begin the all-important pumpkin search. Some farms include wagon rides to the picking area and shops filled with baked goods. Others sell local cider, and a few places make their own. And it's not hard to find a corn maze full of twists and turns. And umpteen million potential wine lovers within an hour’s drive is a natural energizer for a wealth of ideas. And so many have borne fruit. Enjoy the harvest!

Sweet and Spicy

On Saturday (October 18) the annual Sussex County Harvest, Honey and Garlic Festival will celebrate the agriculture, heritage and outdoor attributes of New Jersey's Great Northwest with family activities, craft demonstrations, agricultural exhibits, food vendors, local artisans, and live music. The Sussex County Beekeepers Association will have educational displays, materials and an array of honey products. For those who love all things garlic, we’ll have the Garden State Garlic Growers. Kids can paint pumpkins, do crafts or ride in a hay wagon. The free, family oriented event runs from 10am - 4pm at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta. (Please no pets. Service animals only. Comfort/therapy animals are prohibited.) For more details, click here!

Canned Sunshine

Not so long ago, every family had a root cellar, and canning of all the excess bounty, whether from the home garden or the farm stand, was standard practice until the advent of the home refrigerator in the 1900s. It's not too late to take advantage of the fall harvest, and "put up" some food for healthy, nutritious eating during the long winter months.

Boulder Hops and Star Gazing

Brilliant foliage at Ghost Lake.
The ancient rolling terrain of Jenny Jump Mountain provides spectacular vistas of the Kittatinny Mountains and the Water Gap to the west, and the vast panorama of the Great Meadows to the east. A haven for those who love a hike and a good view, the Park promises special rewards for devotees of geology, astronomy, mountain biking, bird watchers, bass fishing, and all season camping.

Through the Farny Highlands

Split Rock from a kayak is a beautiful sight in autumn. Photo by Lee Sandstead.
A trio of Morris County reservoirs, each less than ten miles from the next, dot opposing sides of a triangle that frames sharply contrasting environments. Split Rock sits in one of Morris County’s most remote regions; Taylortown in Montville’s preserved mountains and woodlands, steps away from suburbia and Boonton near the busy intersection of Routes 287 and 80. An autumn visit to each or all promises ample leaf peeping vistas, woodland or urban hikes with water views and flashes of Revolutionary and Civil War history. Put this trip on your list this fall!

Planet Jersey

Great Horned Owl. Photo: Rose Marie Joy
From books and movies to commercials and graphic tee shirts, owls abound in popular culture. They draw us in with their big, soulful eyes and luxuriously soft-looking feathers, and we appreciate how that spark of interest can be nurtured into the type of informed appreciation that leads to conservation action. These amazing birds have earned their moment of fame and the platform it provides for education. Wisdom on the fly!

Discover!


Thanks for joining us in our appreciation of Northwest New Jersey and all the brilliant ways to get out and enjoy the pleasures of the season. Tap our calendar for the best events for you and your family, or check our current stories. Pick from a multitude of daytrip itineraries and watch out for our virtual efforts to keep you informed. For the more aerobically inclined, the Outdoor Map shows the way to go, or choose among dozens of natural attractions or outdoor activities suggested on our website.
Like many other small, independent and specialized information sources, our operation will increasingly rely on reader donations. Help us keep you informed about all the great stuff to do in and around Northwest New Jersey! If you like what we offer, we hope you'll consider a contribution.

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