My Labor Day Weekend Adventures part 1

   My last summer adventure took me to Pennsville township in Salem County, NJ, where I decided to go to a historic military installation, which I don't think most people have ever heard of. Not even myself, because this place dates back to 1896, built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (initially called the "Battery at Finn's Point"). The place I'm referring to is Fort Mott, named after General Gershom Mott, who was a decorated Veteran of the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. This place is Amazing for young and old alike. 

   Located at 454 Fort Mott Rd, Pennsville, NJ, the park is open all year round except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve & New Year's Day.  Also, you can book a seasonal ferry boat service online that will take you to Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island and to Delaware City, Delaware (I haven't been there yet, but maybe next time when I go again). https://destateparks.com/History/FortDelaware. 

      You can also have picnics and a playground for the young children to play in, and you can go hiking, biking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing in the winter. https://nj.gov.  Oh, by the way, the last part of the park, please don't forget to drive to Finns Point National Cemetery, the final resting place of 2,436 Confederate POWS and 138 Union guards who died on Pea Patch Island, and has been a burial ground for veterans and their families since the Civil War.

This tower you can actually go in, but ask personnel to go with you. 

 Welcoming center/museum

Inside the tower

Museum artifacts 

    I will continue with part 2 of my Labor Day Weekend Adventures tomorrow.  

Freehold Township

About 2 weeks ago, I took a day trip to Freehold Township, NJ. It is a beautiful, picturesque town rich with history, arts, delicious foods, and even more delicious drinks.

   My first stop was The Monmouth Battlefield State Park at 20 NJ-33 Business, Manalapan Township, NJ.  This battlefield had the most significant battles in the American Revolution in 1778; our first president, General George Washington, restored a reputation battle of defeats in 1777.  The Park preserves a beautiful 18th-century farmland landscape with fields of produce crops, soybeans, wheat, and acres and acres of apples where you can actually pick. When you get to the park, start at the visitor's center/ museum and start with a historic 10-minute movie on How Washington outsmarted the British, then walk around to see the unique exhibits and artifacts. There's a bit of African-American history as well. Afterward, take a map of the historic park trail, discover the beautiful farmlands, pick some apples, or have a peaceful picnic near the visitor's center. And there is also a playground area, even a 10-acre field for kite flying. Believe me, you won't be disappointed. nj.gov

    

    Our Next Stop is an iconic 90's TV sitcom house everyone knows and loves. If you remember, the program on the ABC Network in 1996 is about a girl who received magical powers on her 16th birthday while living with her two aunts and a talking black cat named "Salem." It's Spellman House from the show "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," located at 64 East Main St., Freehold. You won't be able to get in but can take selfie photos in front of the home. 

   The final stop in Freehold is a local Brewery Called Artis Brewery, located at 36 South St., Freehold, NJ. This place has amazing beers and hard seltzer (I'm not a seltzer drinker), but this particular seltzer called Mango Fizz was AMAZING! It's a BYOF (Bring your own food), and you can order from Neighboring Restaurants: Char Kol, an upscale steakhouse, and Fusha Japanese, Chinese & Thai Restaurant (great Lo Mein noodles). https://www.artisbrewery.com

  My last stop in Freehold was a cultural landmark birthplace of a Rock Legend who needs no introduction and is Born in the USA!! I'm talking about "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen. His home is at 87 Randolph, St., now a Catholic Church parking lot. But go there anyway to take a selfie; it will be worth it. 

Oh, by the way, Freehold has excellent art, too, if you

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Are you in downtown Freehold? Look for some horse sculptures around the area. They are adorable.

So, take some time off, or on your days off, go Freehold, NJ, for the hell of it. And Safe travels.