STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

Last Friday was September 11, a day that needs no introduction. Throughout Friday and over the weekend, I found myself having some pretty vivid flashbacks of watching the various news coverages on TV. And then it began to dawn on me that that was 19 years ago!

Now I am thinking that my initial sentiments about September 11, a day that needs no introduction, is really only valid for those that actually experienced those days! There is a whole new generation that is LEARNING about “9/11,” along with the following days and events.  Think about it, ‘9/11’ is actually a history lesson for them!

OK, I’ve established, that 9/11 has been on my mind.

That got me thinking, too, about patriotic symbols and an informational sign at Allamuchy Town Hall that introduces and showcases the Liberty-Water Gap Trail. This trail meanders across New Jersey from the Statue of Liberty to and through the Delaware Water Gap.  

QUESTION #1:  What does the Liberty-Water Gap Trail have to do with 9/11?

ANSWER #1:  The Liberty-Water Gap Trail is New Jersey’s 160-mile segment of THE SEPTEMBER 11^th NATIONAL MEMORIAL TRAIL. This trail is a multi-use, multi-state route linking the nation’s three 9/11 Commemorative Sites at the World Trade Center in New York, Pentagon in Washington, DC, and Flight 93 Memorial in Bedford, Pa., while celebrating Freedom, Resilience and History throughout the communities along its 1,300 miles.

Question #2:  What does the Liberty-Water Gap Trail have to do with Warren County?

ANSWER #2:  The trail meanders through the tri-county area, entering Warren County at Hackettstown. It works its way through Stephens and Allamuchy Mountain State Parks, piggy backing along the Highlands Trail. It leaves the county via Morris Canal Greenway, and then continues onto the Sussex Branch Trail rails to trails, where it continues on passing through Kittatinny Valley State Park.  Staying on the Sussex Branch Trail, the Liberty-Water Gap Trail then proceeds to Warbasse Junction, then to Paulinskill Valley Trail, another rails to trails site, and then heads south, re-entering Warren County and heading down to the Delaware Water Gap and through the National Recreation Area. 

OBSERVATION #1:  This trail is going through some beautiful natural and historic sites as it passes through Warren County and the surrounding Skylands and Highlands of New Jersey!

OBSERVATION #2:  As you can see and understand from all the material above, we live in a special place! These are all major sites and trails and are almost all inter-connected, giving the visitor multiple opportunities for recreational activities amid a wonderful and beautiful natural, historic and cultural open space setting!! I almost forgot, just as a bonus, keep in mind The Delaware River and the Musconetcong Rivers are designated nationally as Wild & Scenic Partner Rivers and that The Delaware is also River of the Year for 2020!!

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Charlie Fineran is Allamuchy’s Director of Open Space, Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission Chairman and Allamuchy Historical Society President.