NJ > Second 4th Annual Blueberry Hang 7/22/17-Lower Forge

[The Tree Frog]

Everyone reading this should go to this event. Just got back from the first 4th annual and the blueberries are abundant!!!!!!

[MikekiM]

First glance at the extended weather forecast... not looking too good.

[sqidmark]

Not to worry. I put in a good word. There will be sufficient clearing at the appropriate time.

[SilvrSurfr]

First glance at the extended weather forecast... not looking too good.

Another fair-weather hiker? Sqidmark will enjoy the company - if the forecast rises above 22% chance of rain he's not going.

I personally don't put much stock in Pine Barrens weather forecasts. I've seen it rain all day with 0% chance of rain forecast, and I've stayed dry as a bone with 100% rain forecast. The Pine Barrens are a bit too remote to get accurate weather forecasts - there just aren't any weather stations near where we're going.

[MikekiM]

....The Pine Barrens are a bit too remote....

A bit too remote to make a three hour drive there and then what will likely be a six hour drive back on Sunday if it's likely to rain. No telling what the shore traffic will look like.

I did fifteen miles in constant rain a few weeks ago and loved it, so a fair weather fellow I am not.

[SilvrSurfr]

A bit too remote to make a three hour drive there and then what will likely be a six hour drive back on Sunday if it's likely to rain. No telling what the shore traffic will look like.

I did fifteen miles in constant rain a few weeks ago and loved it, so a fair weather fellow I am not.

Shore traffic on the Parkway is an entirely different beast. If I were to come from Long Island to the Pine Barrens, I'd make sure I was on the road by no later than 10 am. So that means leaving Lower Forge by no later than 8 am. Of course, you probably won't get to enjoy coffee and breakfast with the rest of the crew, but it beats sitting in traffic for hours!

[SilvrSurfr]

The good thing is that, heading down, you won't have to deal with the lower Parkway traffic - which can be brutal. You get off the Parkway at exit 89 (route 70 West) so you don't see the worst traffic. On the return trip to Long Island? The only way to avoid the traffic going north is to leave as early as possible.

[MikekiM]

I know this. Thanks. I spend a good deal of time at the Shore preserves.. bird photography. Forsythe, Barnegat etc.

I am planning to leave here at o'dark thirty on Saturday and be before most others arrive. Sunday I would deal with some of the traffic heading home. But to have to contend with this travel AND rain is a bit much. We will see as we get closer.

edit... I looked at travel time early this morning, heading the opposite way obviously, and it isn't as bad as I expected.. well under three hours. I was thinking of Garden State all the way, both ways, but it's 95 into 206 which might not be as bad as flanking the shore on the GSP. I'll check again tomorrow morning.

I'm feeling better about this. And to speak candidly, I am almost hoping for some rain! SOME rain.. not a monsoon.


Sent from somewhere east of Montauk

[MikekiM]

I'm watching the traffic on Google maps, since early this morning.. at 8am travel time was 2hrs 17min. Clear sailing all the way back to LI. By 11:30am it's up to 3hrs 10min with a road jam the entire Belt Parkway.. what a surprise. I refreshed and travel time went to 3hrs 22min. NJ is still clear.

I may have to rethink attending this. I have done so many NJ hiking trips and NEVER have I had even a reasonable drive home. I don't want to be forced to wake and run..

[sqidmark]

I can only imagine that getting back to Long Island is a bear from anywhere.