4/10/10 News: Hikes & Ramstein Beer Open House

Lots to look forward to for this Saturday, April 10, 2010, between Ramstein Beer and Morris County Park Commission (MCPC) hikes! We'll all three be at the Open House; Emma & I will be on the Split Rock Village Hike. We hope to see you!

Ramstein Beer Open House & Tours

Hey! Here is reminder for this weekend’s Ramstein Beer Open House and Tour, this Saturday, April 10. Just as in March, there are two tour sessions:

• 2 PM, 1st session, and
• 3:30 PM, 2nd session

There will be the Maibock, Classic Wheat, and unfiltered Amber available on draft as well as the Blonde and Classic in bottles.

Growlers (1 and 2 liter ) will be available for sale, and SR Fresh Hot Sauce will be there with the Cayenne-Cherry, Habanero, and XXXXTra Hot, Hot Sauce.

As usual, there will also be a tour and explanation of the brewing process by Greg Zaccardi, the owner. [See previous post with videos for a primer.]

See you there!
Ted and Christine and Emma

MCPC Hikes: Two To Choose From!

Walking Tour of Split Rock Village

On Saturday, April 10th, Joe Macasek and Bierce Riley will be leading a walking tour of the Village of Split Rock, including the forge and furnace, sponsored by the Morris County Park Commission. It's an archeology tour that will last approximately 3 hours.

We meet at the Split Rock Reservoir parking lot at 10:00 a.m., rain or shine. The MCPC charges $5 per person and provides nice handouts.

To register call 973-285-6542, but if you’d like a reply, contact Joe Macasek at macgraphics1 [at] verizon.net

From research online, I've discovered that Joe Macasek and Bierce Riley are noted historians. Bierce Riley is actively involved with the Society for Industrial Archeology. Joe Macasek is vice president of The Canal Society of New Jersey and has written Guide to the Morris Canal in Morris County.

[Here is a description of the book: This layman’s guide to the 35 miles of the Morris Canal in Morris County is heavily illustrated with 40 photos, prints and diagrams and 29 maps. It includes walking and driving tours along the canal, the history of the canal and its relation to the industrial revolution, and an explanation of the canal’s famous inclined planes. It is the first guide of its kind, easy to read and fun to use.

Given that we are surrounded by signs of the Morris Canal, I thought you would enjoy some information about it. A world famous engineering marvel of its time, the Morris Canal was approximately 102 miles long. It primarily transported anthracite coal, iron ore, limestone, and agricultural products. Operating from 1831-1924, the canal employed a system of 23 lift locks and 23 inclined planes to overcome the impressive elevation change of 1,674 feet.

The book, Joe Macasek, and his photo scan are referenced in this History of Landing, New Jersey. Also check out this photo of Waterloo by Joe Macasek.

BTW, the Boonton Historical Society has marvelous programs detailed on its Boonton Historical Society Facebook Group. You should consider joining.]

Hike A Park A Month Hike: Mendham

Tom Edmunds, Russ Ness and Janet McMillan have put together with the help of Mendham Township folks a series of loops to please all hikers. The loops give us options for altering the final route and for drops-outs etc. The Mendham Township Parks website is very informative.

Given last week's rains, Tom anticipates several muddy areas.

If you plan on participating in the Mendham hike, please contact Tom Edmunds, MCPC Trails Mapping/GIS at tedmunds@morrisparks.net.

The group will meet at India Brook Park (NOT India Brook NATURAL AREA) on Ironia Road in Mendham Township.

• From Morristown take route 510 (old rt 24) through the center of Mendham Boro, in about 1.5 miles look for Ironia Rd on right ( a rather sharp, steep turn). If you get to a blinking light, you’ve gone too far.
• Take Ironia Rd , another 2 miles and look for entrance on right, park at soccer fields.
• From route 10, turn left on Dover –Chester Road, bear left just after Ironia Fire house and large RC Church on left on to South Rd.
• Follow South Rd ( about 1.5 miles) and turn left on to Ironia Rd. The Park entrance is on left a short way up Ironia Rd.

If you know this area you can take Sussex Turnpike through Randolph, on to Calais Rd and then Dover-Chester/South Rd etc.

Be prepared for a 9 AM start and a 3.5 to 4 hour hike through some simply magnificent scenery of Morris County including Buttermilk Falls and the India Brook gorge. This may be a more-than-moderate hike in a few spots.