Happy Blogiversary to National Parks with T! It’s been a year since I first started this blog. Many thanks to those who have come along for the journey!
Every October the NJ Lighthouse Society runs the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey in order to raise funds for the state’s historic lighthouses and maritime sites. This year, we purchased an incomplete commemorative deck of cards at our starting point and then tried to complete the deck by collecting cards at each of the participating locations. There were 13 sites included in the challenge this year and I got to 5 of them on the Saturday of the challenge.
After climbing to the top of Barnegat Lighthouse, I decided to walk the quarter-mile Maritime Forest Trail behind the visitor center. Most people were in the visitors center, by the lighthouse or out on the jetty so I was able to take a peaceful, leisurely stroll on the sandy trail.
A maritime forest grows on the dunes farthest from the shore and consists of trees, bushes and plants adapted to the salty environment. Many of the trees here are fruit bearing and so provide a bountiful home for birds and other critters.
Maritime forests once covered the length of the Jersey Shore, but most were lost to agricultural or recreational development. In Barnegat State Park, there were 30 acres of forests, but erosion has washed away all but two acres. The short loop winds through this remnant with placards identifying the flora along the way.
Lighthouse Challenge and related posts:
- Sandy Hook Lighthouse
- Navesink Twin Lights (coming soon)
- Absecon Lighthouse
- Tuckerton Seaport
- Barnegat Lighthouse
- Barnegat Maritime Forest Trail
- Barnegat Museum (coming soon)
- Sea Girt Lighthouse (coming soon)
Location: 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
Designation: State Park
Date designated or established: January 1944
Date of my visit: 10/20/2018
Happy blogiversary. As a NP lover, I always enjoy your stories and pics.
Thanks! So happy to hear!
We practically follow each other around. I was there this past summer. Beautiful setting.
Lol, maybe we’ll run into eachother somewhere. Though I tend to go off season if possible…the drive down the shore is torture in the summer lol
Great job on one year!
Thanks so much!😊
Happy Blogaversary. Congrats!!
Thanks, Darryl!
Nice shots of the lighthouse! I go to Barnegat State Park at least once a year. In recent years they have roped off large sections of the beach to protect various birds, but I often see those birds outside the roped off area.
Thanks! The lighthouse challenge was the first time I’d been there. Great park! (LOL, I guess the birds didn’t get the memo)
Congrats on your blogiversary! Thanks for sharing the photos and stories of your visits to National Parks. Your blog posts certainly reflect what wonderful and diverse resources our National Parks are.
Thanks so much, Julie! What a nice compliment!
Congratulations on the anniversary! It takes great discipline to keep plugging away. I enjoy your descriptions and photos of the many parks, monuments, seashores, and historic sites that you have visited, particularly the ones I’ve never heard of.
Thanks so much for following along on the journey!
Beautiful!!!!! Congratulations on your one year blogiversary!
Thanks 🙏🏻
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This looks absolutely gorgeous!! I might have to plan a trip! Is it dog friendly? I’ve blogged about some lighthouses too!
I’m pretty sure I saw dogs there, but imagine no dogs allowed between Memorial Day and Labor Day because it’s a popular place for summer shore going.
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