| Hike # 41 Frenchtown to Phillpsburg On this first time for this particular hike, I was joined by my girlfriend, Cathy, Eric Pace, and Bill Bill. Rich Pace dropped us off in Frechtown where we began hiking, Bill Bill and I both in Star Trek: The Next Generation uniforms (this was supposed to be our big costume hike, unfortunitely the others that planned on wearing costumes could'nt come). The right of way was very easy walking to just north of Frenchtown, just as it was on the Frenchtown-Lambertville Hike. Shortly, we reached the end of the state park and the right of way became a narrow motorcycle trail. Rails still existed in this section, although overgrown with trees and other vegetation. When we approached the Paper Mill just south of Milford the rail are still moderately used. We stopped and climbed around under a nearby bridge. In Milford we took a walk up the street and stopped at a local markey for food and drinks. Bill Bill got a huge bottle of root beer which he carried with him for the remainer of the hike. North of Milford we encountered an old diesel engine moving southward. It bore what seemed to be a freshly painted "Belvidere and Delaware". Black River and Western Railroad has evidently baught the line and given it it's old name. It was surprising that a train was using this line, as the rails were distorted and had lots of weeds growing from them. In Lambertville, Cathy parted from us and we continued north toward Carpentersville. Along the way we encountered several large lime kilns. When we reached Carpentersville we were disappointed at the fact that there was no stop for refreshments. This was also the site of the last road we'd crossed before reaching Phillipsburg. At the crossing of Rt. 78 there was a spectacular view of the Delaware River. When we began seeing and hearing Phillipsburg around us, I got freaked by a tent set up along the tracks. Fortunitely noone bothered us. Just above there at the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge we stopped and chatted with a nice old guy getting drunk along the tracks. No sooner did we start walking than Rich's voice emitted from the walkie talkies. He had just arrived at Union Square to Pick us up. Amazing timing, that was, because we were not even a quarter of a mile away! Hike #42 Phillipsburg Hike For this new hike, Tea Biscuit, Ronald, Rich and Eric Pace, and I explored the abandoned Central Railroad of New Jersey from Phillipsburg to Hampton. |