For a lot of people who only know New Jersey from TV shows like "The Sopranos" and "Jersey Shore", the dense nature of the Pine Barrens can be a bit of a surprise.
But for those of us who live here and travel the area regularly, we know what the middle of the state has to offer.
Well, mostly.
I saw the Philadelphia Flower Show last night and, as usual, it's full of beauty, color, and artful designs. It's one of my favorite ways to beat the winter blues and get a jump start on spring.
This year's theme is "Explore America" which celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service...
Here at the edge of the Pinelands in Ocean County, some believe that we're near the home of the legendary Jersey Devil. It's a story that's been passed down for generations. But, with everyone carrying cameras with them wherever they go now, do we finally have photographic proof?
The 13th child of Mrs. Leed
Was the jersey devil’s seed
Fearsome teeth and monster clawed
The creature stood at 6ft broad
Cloven hoved and killer’s red
With a wingspan of a 9 foot spread!
In the Pine Barrens he does lurk
devours all with quite the smirk
poultry, bovine, and human alike
nothing escapes his eagle’s sight
a horse shaped head with horn framed eyes
if you see them it mean
I love spring. I love falling asleep to the sounds of spring, especially the "spring peepers". And I love where I live, I'm right next to a beautiful wooded area. But last night I was woken up to the sound of something that was most definitely not a spring peeper.
If there's one thing we have plenty of in New Jersey, it's urban legends. Many of which are centered here in Ocean County. Of all the stories, what are your favorites?
The Jersey Devil...the mysterious Blue Hole of Winslow...Joe Mulliner, the dancing bandit...all part of Pinelands heritage, and all being shared around a campfire Saturday in Southampton by Grammy-nominated musician and author Paul Evans Pedersen, Jr.
I enjoy my neighborhood. I really do. I've talked before about how much I love the fact that Ocean County has so many great places to get close to nature. But I'm pretty sure that something weird is living in the woods next to my house. In fact I'm pretty sure it's the Jersey Devil.