indyfabz

Heavy rain on Friday turned my planned three day tour into an overnighter. Took the train from Philly to Lindenwold, NJ and rode to Belleplain State Forest in Woodbine, NJ. About 56 miles on the way down. Only brought a small burner and Gaz canister to heat water for coffee and a bagel the next morning. Dinner was takeout from a pizza place a few miles a away and wine.

Fortuitously, I overheard two campers talking about the peak of the Orionid meteor shower. At one point, after the moon had set, I was seeing about one per minute. Some were extremely bright.

It got very chilly Saturday night and the patch on my mattress failed so I had to re-inflate it a couple of times. The winds shifted on Sunday. Rode over 60 miles back to Cherry Hill, most of it into a stiff, constant breeze. Stopped at a farm stand and bought a black cherry pie for me and the GF. Front rack platforms sure come in handy. Didn't eat enough carbs Saturday night so I was wiped by the time I got done. Still, it was nice to get away, even if only for a night. I'd like to sneak in another trip this weekend but I have to stay home for an event on Saturday. Maybe we'll get another warm spell in Nov. and I will be able to find some open campgrounds. Got lots of vacation time left this year.

Photos on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/davez20...7631829948559/

volosong

What an adventure! Thanks for the pictures. Sounds like you had fun, even though you didn't sleep well.

chefisaac

did you follow a cue sheet? What farm stand did you stop at?

indyfabz

Going down, I looked at a map and simply took U.S. 30 to pick up an older version of the MS route to Hammonton and then used my knowledge of the area to get there. SR 56 to CR 557 to Cape May Ave. to SR 49 then follow the signs to the park. Coming back I got just to the outskirts of Hammonton and jumped onto the current version of the MS route and took that all the way back to Woodcrest. Wouldn't recommend U.S. 30 unless it's very early in the a.m. No shoulder most of the way and the right side of the road is a mess in a lot of places.

The farm stand is on CR 557 south of Buena.

chefisaac

I love farm stands!

tpy2010

Great Pics. Thanks for not showin the actual pie!

Neil_B

Congratulations on a great trip!

indyfabz

We have eaten half. It's very good. Not sickeningly sweet like some pies can be. I think that's because it's homemade. I am glad the stand had a roll of duct tape. Looks like the immediate future weather pattern calls for chillier weather.

Seattle Forrest

Sounds like a good time. The photo of the mist over the lake is fantastic. Sometimes suffering in the rain like that winds up being good in the long run - you tend forget how awful it was once you get a warm shower and change of clothes, but you have a memory that's going to last a long, long time.

10 Wheels

Enjoyed the great pics.....

JDNM

Great pics! Loved the colors. Thanks for sharing.

funrover 

Pretty sweet, thanks for the report!!

Mark Stone

Thanks for the pictures! Looks like beautiful country. I don't know if I'd care for running across an "unexpected" road however . . . I like the lake pictures best

indyfabz

Not worth it for this particular ride. I actually took the train to the start on Friday and rode about a half mile before turning back. It was pouring out and there was 2'-3" inches of water on the road. Couldn't see what I was riding through. And there would have been a head wind most of the way. Contrary to the morning forecast, the current radar showed more rain on the way, including some at my desitination later in the day. That turned out to be correct. I got a late start and would probably not have finsihed until the campground office had closed. Not being that familiar with the place, I didn't want to ride around looking for a good site and then have to ride 10 miles round trip to get food and drink.

Now, riding the S. Skagit Highway in cold, heavy rain, which I have done twice, is a different story. The scenery and the piping hot showers and Adirondak shelters at Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport, and the dive bar in town, did make for some fond memories. The buffalo burgers in Concrete were also pretty darn good.