Hike #712; Townbury to Brass Castle

 Hike #712; Townsbury to Washington

7/12/13 Townsbury to Washington/Brass Castle with  Scott "Tea Biscuit" Helbing, Amanda Lance, Brandan Jermyn, Carol Van Giezen, and Steve Levy

Fields in the Pohatcong Valley

Our next hike would be another evening trip between Townsbury and Washington. I thought it would be a really cool idea to do a hike that would lead from my former residence to my future one. I had already stayed in the new place a bit, as well as the old one, and so I called it the "Home to Home Hike".

We met at the Rite Aid in Washington. I knew I wouldn't have a huge group, and so the parking would suffice there. If I had too many people we'd move cars to nearby on street parking. We then shuttled north to Townsbury to start off.

We followed the old Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad from the lot right on front of the place in Townsbury, then headed along the rail bed west. We cut off when we reached the Pequest Furnace and cut through the slag piles again, then followed the old Warren Railroad bed south into Oxford. We made a trip to the Oxford discount liquor store for drinks, and then proceeded to the Oxford Tunnel. Only Tea Biscuit and I went through the tunnel. It was just like old times, getting a drink and stumbling through this crazy tunnel. So many times just the two of us went on through there back in the days when we couldn't get anyone else to show up. He got some sort of strong drink that was pretty good.

We made it out the other side, and the others were waiting on the concrete foundation south of the portal. We all continued from here until we reached the old farm overpass heading into Washington Township. My plan this time was something I'd never done before. I figured we could cut into the fields toward the Pohatcong Creek and reach Pohatcong Creek Natural Area. I'd followed the trails at the natural area years ago and found an ATV path that led from the them all the way to the fields, so I knew we could get through even if little remained of that trail.

We headed along the fields, through tree lines, and then out across a tree plantation. We crossed the lower end of fields and soon reached the edge of the woods where the trails run. We had to bushwhack in for a bit, but soon we found the ATV path I was looking for, and followed it out to the official trails. We then cut to the north side of these trails, and beyond to the foot bridge. We came out by the community garden behind Fairway Estates and took a nice break at the picnic benches.

Next, we headed along Bowerstown Road to the base of Morris Canal Inclined Plane #7 West. I told everyone about the Bower Family and the forge that used to exist there, which was later project Excel of the board of education. We stayed on the canal route until we reached Kinnamine Ave, and then skirted JCP&L property on the canal route out across North Lincoln Ave. We turned right here on North Lincoln and passed the Captain Campbell House, former home of James Campbell, a black canal boat captain where we hope to promote black history on the Morris Canal through a future museum.

We headed south on this road and reached the center of town. I think we stopped at the Quick Chek, and Steve cut out to head back to his car. The rest of us walked to the Washington Dine and had dinner. I got totally stuffed. It again felt like old times, going out and having fun and hanging out at the diner until late hours.

It's nice to know that some things really never have to change. It doesn't hurt anyone, and we have such a good time. My energy level is still high and I feel physically no different....so why not?

Life is good!