By Charlie Fineran

Story Behind Story of the Week
Have been thinking about just what to write about for my next “Photo of the Week” article!!  Let’s see, this is Memorial Day Weekend, over the years I have done several articles, looking at Memorial Day from the obvious Military Day Observance.  As I continue ponder, I am reminded, how my Memorial Day messages were always a two part Celebration, if you will. First, a Solemn Remembrance of the ultimate sacrifices made preserving our Freedom and way of life. Then a follow up secondary message, encouraging all, to go out, enjoy and celebrate with Family & Friends, all the wonderful places and activities which have been preserved by those Ultimate Sacrifices!!  OK, I am liking this concept as an article!!  What will my example be about?  Suddenly I remember, “A Special Wildlife Moment, during a past Memorial Day Weekend” —found my next Photo of the Week Story!

The Story
I remember this incident like it was yesterday. It is actually, the story, behind one of my favorite photos.(SEE ABOVE) I have copied and pasted my original email message dated Friday. May 27, 2005 where I tell the story and describe my journey.  I guess I can give myself credit for following my own recommendations.  Note: I have not included the photos of this old email, hopefully my description of each photo will give you an idea of some of the views offered on this journey.  (Note: #10 thru #13 is the main story).

Email dated – Friday May 27, 2005 – copied & pasted

Hi everyone:

        I had been planning all week to give you an update on the sun’s position over NYC skyline at dawn, but the weather just wouldn’t cooperate.

       Today was turning into such a great weather day I decided to take a hike up “Tammany Trail” to the top of Mt. Tammany and get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Delaware Water Gap. This trail is by far the shortest and fastest way to the top—it is also by far the steepest and rockiest. The trail offers spectacular views on the way up and at the top making the climb well worth the effort.

#1 – is the first clearing about 1/4 of the way into the trip. Here the trail is literally the edge of the cliff along the ridge. (you do have plenty of room to move around or stay back)

You are looking down at two sand bars formed at the rivers bend right in the middle of the Gap.

#2 – Is a photo from river’s edge showing sand bars and Mt. Tammany – taken near picnic area by the Info Center.

#3 – Same basic area showing I80 between the river and the mountain. Note: not too much traffic on I80 about 10:30 am.

#4 – This gives you a pretty good idea of what I mean by rocky trail! Other parts are not this extreme but you are usually walking along what appears to be a dried up stream bed with woods and rocks on both sides and this is most of the trail.

#5-6 – This is the 1st of many rock clearings just off the trail as you approach the top. You can see these from the trail and it is a short walk to get out to them. Each of these offers many different views as you meander around the rocks and trees. From here those sand bars are off to the left out of sight and you are looking west – toll bridge abt 1 1/2 miles around bend. Everything left of river is Penn. and the mountain there is called Mt. Minsi. The distant mountains are the Poconos.

#7 – Another clearing further along.  You are looking at the cliffs of Mt. Minsi.  Those sand bars are now off the picture to the bottom right.

#8-9 – Three and 1/2 miles east is the old Columbia RR Viaduct. Built in 1909 this is one part of the largest poured concrete project in the world in its day. The other picture is from atop the viaduct looking back at the Gap.

#10 – This is the main clearing atop Mt. Tammany. My game plan here was to work my way down the rocks and get closer to the edge.

#11-12 – As I worked my way down I came to a small ridge and there was a bear walking from left to right down in front of me about 55 feet away! It never saw me and just kept walking—I scrambled to get this picture and took one other but he was gone by that time. I didn’t see cubs but I scrambled back up the rocks to the trail as I didn’t want to be caught between a cliff and a bear. I’ll have to get my cliff edge photos next time.  Needless to say my day was really “MADE.” had been hoping to get a photo of a bear, but I never dreamed of one with this backdrop. Earlier I said I wanted a bird’s eye view of the Gap – change that to a bear’s eye view.

#13 – We are back down to the first clearing again and it is now 2:30 pm—notice the big change in traffic—stop and go westbound, which reminds me—Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

OBSERVATION:  To make this all the more special for me, THIS WAS MY FIRST BEAR PHOTO!

Have a Wonderful Memorial Day!

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran    

Director Open Space   

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman    

Allamuchy Historical Society – President