Indian Cliffs Hike -- Sunday Oct. 4 -- Gorgeous, Bright Early Fall Day

Indian Cliffs Hike From Smoke Rise at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: Share GPS Tracks

30 people! That's how many came out for the hike to Indian Cliffs on Sunday, October 4, 2009. From kids to seniors, and we had a great time. Oh, there was a nasty surprise with a hornet's nest for a few of us -- a first, by the way, for our hikes -- but everyone enjoyed the bright clear day, the unbelievable view from the top of the rocks on Indian Cliffs, and the interesting descent and return via Split Rock Reservoir and the Charlottesburg Road.

We collected our group at the Smoke Rise Village Inn parking lot at 1 PM and proceeded to the trailhead at the Beechwood Lane cul de sac to begin. Oh yes, we had 5 dogs as well, who were clearly interested in leading the hike, as well as every mud puddle along the way.

Here are Christine's photos:

This is a particularly fun hike in that it poses some difficulty with the terrain and elevation changes, offers spectacular views, takes you to places that are otherwise very difficult to reach, and also along some of the area's 19th century carriage roads, now nearly forgotten, which were the main roads of the Kinnelon area in their day.

[If you click on the EveryTrail link above, it will take you to more information about elevation, average speed and other details.]

Thanks, everyone, for coming and thanks, Ken, for organizing us!

Related Posts:
Indian Cliffs Hike
Split Rock Reservoir Hike

& Ted

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Ramstein Beer Open House & Ted's Fresh Hot Sauce Sat. Oct 10 2-4 PM

Ramstein Beer is having its monthly Tour and Open House with Beer Samplings this Saturday from 2 to 4 PM, and will have the Ramstein Double Platinum Blonde, Ramstein Classic Dunkel Hefe-Weizen, Ramstein Golden Lager, and Ramstein Oktoberfest (while it lasts!).

Plan to come!

I will be there again with my 2 Fresh Hot Sauces for sampling (and purchase):

SR Virgin Fresh Cayenne-Cherry Pepper Red, and

SR Virgin Fresh Habanero Gold.

We will have a tasting of the 2, with appropriate food, and invite all of you chile heads to come join us and tell us what you think.

These hot sauces are a little different from what you are used to -- they have to be REFRIGERATED -- because they are FRESH. And they're not mostly vinegar and salt like others you may have tried.

They are mostly Pepper Fruit, both hot and sweet. Come check them out!

Also take a look at my new Fresh Hot Sauce Blog for more info and my take on hot sauces.

Last month's Open House was a great success with the largest crowd ever, and a lot of interest in both Beer and Hot Sauce.

There won't be as much of a crush as there was last time (several hundred people!), for the Oktoberfest introduction, and I don't think anyone will have trouble getting his growlers filled!

Once again, that's this Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 4 PM. Ramstein is at the bottom of Kiel Ave. before the stop sign in the first of the Big Red Factory Buildings on your left as you go down the hill. Here are directions.

See you there!

~Ted

PS: Here are two TwitPics that Christine took immediately before last month's OktoberFest got started: the Growler filling station and the freash hot sauce tasting station.... [Added 10/8/09.]


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Ramstein Beer's Greg Zaccardi At Mondial de la Biere Europe

That's right! Our very own Greg Zaccardi, owner of High Point Brewery in Butler, NJ, and brewmaster of Ramstein Beers, will be at the first ever Strasbourg's Mondial de la Biere Brewery event in Europe -- attending, sharing a presentation on American Microbreweries and participating in a Brewers Round Table discussion in Europe with the best brewers in the world.

When? October 16 through 18, 2009.

Where? The Strasbourg Exhibition Park [Parc des Expositions de Strasbourg Wacken], Halls 20 and 21.

What's really cool is that this is an international event of recognized brewery masters by invitation only and Ramstein Beer and Greg Zaccardi have been invited!

I caught up with Greg to learn more.

C.B.: Greg, what is the Mondial de la Biere?

Greg: Mondial de la Biere started out in Quebec in 1993 and takes place every year. Mondial's president, Jeannine Marois, decided to expand the Mondial to Strasbourg, France's beer capital, which is also very close to Germany ["the technological paradise of the brewery industry"] and Belgium ["masters of artisanal brewing"]. The focus is on small, artisanal beers. What we refer to here as microbrewery beers.

While our beer has been served at the Mondial in Canada, I have personally not been there.

This event in Strasbourg is the first of its kind in Europe. The event is organized and presented in the same manner as in Canada but it is offered to a European audience for the first time. These consumers are very discerning and appreciate quality rather than quantity.

C.B.: Tell me about the events you're participating in at Mondial de la Biere.

Greg: I will be giving a presentation to the attendees of Mondial de la Biere about the history and evolution of US microbreweries and what value my German training has provided to our growth in the USA. It's titled "History & Evolution of American Microbreweries" and takes place on Sunday October 18th at 4pm.

I will also participate in the Brewers Roundtable, to discuss what has become of the brewer's profession today, with people involved in the brewing industry from around the world.

This round table is scheduled on Saturday, October 17th, from 11:00 p.m. to 12:30. Mr. Mario 'Eer will act as moderator.

To give you an idea, Conrad Seidl, Michel Haag, Teo Musso, Ben Vinken, Gilbert Delos, amongst others, all internationally acclaimed beer experts, will take part in this activity. I will provide insight from the North American point of view.

C.B.: Wow! That's an impressive crowd! What is the North American perspective? I'm biased in favor of Ramstein Beer, but why would Europeans care?

Greg: I think what I add is the perspective of an American who learned German brewing methods and more importantly the mindset for quality. I brought those skills and mindset back to the US to open a brewery and make a living in the world of brewing.

The big question is was it worth it and is there a viable market for it? No easy answers here but I think that it is based on goals. I have made a lot of people proud and happy and I can't imagine being at any other job.

Practically everyone that tastes our beers smiles and that's pretty rewarding.

Thank you, Greg!

There you have it! Our local Brewery is of such quality and renown that this showcase of the best beer that the world has to offer will include our very own Ramstein Beer and Greg Zaccardi!

Congratulations, Greg!

Note: Ramstein Beer's Oktoberfest is currently ranked #1 by BeerAdvocate [added 10/10/09]

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The Best Food Deals Around Kinnelon

Image courtesy of Creative Magazine.
I admit it. I like almost everything about food, except all those calories.

I like eating it, of course.

I like cooking food -- I have to eat it, and I'm easily bored by the same old, same old, so I might as well make stuff I like.

I like buying food, especially at interesting food stores.

I like buying food cheaply -- the more I save the better -- and I especially like buying food where I save a LOT of money.

It has become very clear, too, that some food items can be purchased astoundingly cheaply at some stores locally in and around Kinnelon, NJ.

Mostly that means you have to buy from a warehouse club, like BJ's, or a store farther away, like Corrado's. These stores are fun to go to anyway, beyond just the saving of money; you can get stuff there you CANNOT get at local supermarkets like Stop and Shop or Pathmark.

I've made a list of some of my all time favorites in both the cheap and unique categories:

Butter @ BJ's: $1.50 per lb (excellent housebrand butter) -- $3 per lb and up elsewhere

Milk @ BJ's: $1.99 per gal for Land O'Lakes skimmed milk -- up to $4.29 elsewhere

Roasted Chicken @ BJ's: $5.00 for large Purdue Roaster -- perfectly cooked BIG chicken -- up to $7.99 elsewhere [hence Chicken Soup for a Rainy Day or Any Day]

Reggiano Parmesan cheese @ Corrado's: $12.99 top grade -- $22 elsewhere ($17 at BJ's)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil @ Corrado's: $14.99 (price can vary) for 3 liter can -- $20 at BJ's, $28 and up elsewhere

Now for Produce I do like Corrado's, but you have to be careful, because, Corrado's produce sometimes seems to be remaindered from elsewhere, so you have to check the quality and freshness closely. Also, prices vary, and you do not ALWAYS get a bargain. That said, I do get amazing bargains at Corrado's for GREAT produce:

Yellow Bell Peppers @ Corrado's: $.69 per lb -- elsewhere $3 to $4 per lb

Big Bunches of beautiful Flat Leaf Parsley and Cilantro @ Corrado's: $.79 per lb -- elsewhere wimpy little bunches for $1.50 and up.

Vidalia Onions @ Corrado's: $.79 per lb -- elsewhere $1.50 per lb and up.

Fresh Pineapple @ Corrado's: $1.50 ea -- $3 and up elsewhere.

I could list more -- they have beautiful loose Yukon Gold Potatoes for $.69 per lb so you can pick the best big ones, and not get the little bagged potatoes from S&S or Pathmark. Nice when you are peeling them.

You will not always get these prices, but whenever you do go, you will find some of them.

Last. Let me say a word about meat from Pathmark, BJ's and Corrado's. BJ's has by far the consistently best prices on Choice Black Angus beef and other meats, from Short Ribs at $2.50 per lb to Skirt Steaks at $4.99 per lb -- from Boneless Leg of Lamb at $4.99 per lb to Boston Butt Pork Shoulder at $.99 per lb. You can't beat it.

However, Pathmark has, every so often, maybe 2 or 3 or 4 weeks, a special on NY Strip Steaks or Rib Eye at $4.99 per lb, and they often have thick cut steaks or a whole Rib Eye Roast so you can cut the steaks to the thickness of your liking. They advertise it in their circular, and I'm always prepared to take advantage of it by stuffing my cart or basket.

Corrado's has an amazing selection of meat products at very good prices. Six different kinds of sausage, rabbit, aged prime beef, and more.

I would be very interested to hear what your Best Food Deals are.

Send me an email or comment on the article! I will share!

~Ted


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Another Hike to Durham Pond

Durham pond at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail: GPS Trail Maps

On September 6th, we set off with the Contreras determined to follow in Bjorn Walberg's footsteps as described in Hike To Durham Pond From Smoke Rise, NJ.

I had successfully installed my copy of Trails; Ted had spent time experimenting with it; we had paper copy backups of Bjorn's path and felt ready to set off into the unknown with water, bear bell and cameras.

As you can see if you compare our trail to Bjorn's we didn't quite follow in the same footsteps. We took the reverse approach. However, we we had a blast discovering TomTom lookout on the White Trail [part of the Four Birds Trail] that with the Blue Trail circles Split Rock Reservoir - from which we were able to see Indian Cliffs, discovering many unexpected signs and communications and finding the Boys Scout camp.

We also saw the most amazing stone bridge that reminded us instantly of the four bridges that Francis S. Kinney built around Smoke Rise.

There's definitely a mystery there. Did Kinney intend to purchase the area around Durham Pond? We read speculation that the area might have been considered for development of a private estate around the late 1800s. Was it related to one of several iron mines and forges in the immediate area, including under the Durham Pond bridge and dam and at Split Rock Reservoir? The History of Winnebago Scout Reservation describes that "a railroad once carried the ore down out of the mountains mine slag the rock left after the iron was removed from the ore. Signs can be found along the road near the dam at the south end of Durham Pond."

In any case, the bridge is magnificent and transports you to a different time and place.

I've uploaded my photos of the hike to Flickr and share with you a slideshow of them all. By the way, if you click on the red pin markers in the trail map above, you'll see thumbnails of photos taken linked to specific locations along the trail.

Enjoy!

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Pasta Night At The Smoke Rise Village Inn

Hey! Best Pasta Night Ever at the Smoke Rise Village Inn this past Sunday 9/20/09! The food, from the salad to the pasta fagiole to the pasta itself, was REALLY GOOD!

I'm not just saying that -- the flavors were fresh and bright and deep, not at all what you might expect of a pasta buffet.

By the way, you do not have to live in Smoke Rise to come to the Village Inn. It's open to everybody.

There were 4 pasta dishes as usual, and each one was delicious. There was farfalle with a mushroom pancetta cream sauce, cavatelli with broccoli and sausage, tortellini with vodka, and penne with a tomato eggplant sauce. All of the pasta was warm to hot and al dente, the vegetables were fresh and al dente, nothing was over salted, and I could have happily eaten myself sick.

I did not. Good for me. I was plenty full, though.

Washed down with the Smithwick's Ale (pronounced shmiddicks, I am told), it was an ideal Sunday night dinner with no work, no cleaning up and happy kids.

At 13 bucks per person and 1/2 price for kids under 10, it's a great deal, too.

The Inn has a new manager, Keith Tierney, whom we met and who seems very much on top of things, and we understand Chef George has some new sous chefs to help him produce the great food.

Look for the newsletter announcements or check the website for notice of the next Pasta Night (always on Sunday from 5 to 7:30 PM).

You will be happy you did.

~Ted

P.S.: Remember, the Smoke Rise Village Inn is open to all comers!

Previous post on the Smoke Rise Village Inn: The Smoke Rise Village Inn Restaurant -- Good Dining and a Nice Place to Eat for all of Kinnelon.

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Why I Love Kinnelon - Tai Chi Anyone?

I love that Kinnelon has such easy access to New York City. My favorite route in is via Route 23 to the new NJ Transit Center where I catch a direct bus into Port Authority on 42nd street in Manhattan. That's assuming I reach the Transit Center early enough to get a parking space; next option is to park at Willowbrook Mall. Regardless, the trip into Manhattan takes 3o minutes and, from there, marvelous adventures are guaranteed! For example Tai Chi in Bryant Park this past Thursday morning.

I love cutting through Bryant Park to get places.

Bryant Park reminds me of the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris: small green tables and chairs along pebbled walkways around the grassy green; wonderful people watching and always unexpected activities. An oasis of calm surrounded by tall buildings and intense city.

From 1985 to 1988 or 89 I worked at 11 West 42nd on the 3rd floor. From my window I could see Bryant Park. In those days, it wasn't a place worth hanging out in - at least if you were sweet, young and not looking for illegal substances. I remember it being boarded up for a long time, too. However, from my window, I also remember admiring the antics of Rubberband man, the contortionist. Do you remember seeing him?

I was delighted when Bryant Park was redeveloped and spent many an idyllic lunch time there when I worked at 1460 Broadway at the corner of 41st street. That from 1993 to 1999 or so....

Now, I like stopping in Bryant Park to catch my breath and check my email or to meetup with friends for an intense chat.

What was most wonderful on my most recent trip into NYC this week was coming across this group of Tai Chi enthusiasts in intense action. It made me wish I could simply step in and take part.

I've admired similar groups taking part in Tai Chi in Beijing [not always with swords], in Toronto, but never in midtown Manhattan. I tried Tai Chi briefly at the Palisadium in Cliffside Park a long time ago. I'd like to become more adept.

In fact, seeing this motley group in Bryant Park made me wonder what if we could do the same here in Kinnelon...

Tai Chi anyone?









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