Wharton State Forest

August 13th. The Jeep was packed for an excursion through Wharton State Forest. The destination was Apple Pie Hill, elevation 191 feet, a mountain in the flat coastal plains of Southern New Jersey, otherwise known as the Pine Barrens. Armed with the New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer, plenty of snacks, 2 cameras, 2 binoculars,

and a shoddy compass, we set off. Apple Pie Hill was never found, but we did find a thriving colony of Southern Leopard Frogs living in a vernal pool. No rattlesnakes were seen or heard. We passed cranberry bogs and lots and lots of pine trees!!! We entered the forest near Batso Village and after many hours finally found a paved road that took us to Chatsworth and the way home.

Click here for more info on the Southern Leopard Frog
Click here for more info on Wharton State Forest

The Garden

The beans are running up the poles! Picked today: pickle cucumbers, tomatoes, apple sweet peppers, long hot peppers, gold runner beans, tomatoes, and tarragon. The birdbath has frequent visitors in the 90-degree weather.

Woman

Art & Nature