I was reading the story The Barrens and was again taken by the description of desolation and vastness of the Barrens in NJ (SSE of Rt 70?). So I decided to check it out on Google Earth. I found some landmarks like the Hog Wallow Cranberry Bogs and, I believe, the "town" of Chatsworth (the capitol of the Barrens?). It looks like there is an airport/landing strip just to the east of Chatsworth.

I was just wondering if anyone else has checked this out or knows anything about the Barrens and things to look for.

Paul, how did you learn about the Barrens? Through personal exploration or word of mouth and research?

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I also just noticed an area designated Dept of Defense. What do they do there?

I've checked out the NJ Pine Barrens on Google Earth, too, just to get a bird's eye view of its vastness.

I can't speak for Paul, but growing up in the tri-State area (NY, NJ and CT), you can't help but know about the NJ Pine Barrens and tales of the Jersey Devil. He's our local Bigfoot. I wouldn't want to get lost out there.

To compare, we have the Long Island Pine Barrens which were literally outside the back door of our summer home. I traipsed through those woods for a couple of decades of summers. Loved them and felt very safe there because their scale is much smaller. The pines, while towering, were not so overwhelming and didn't create the canopy of darkness that I suspect you can get in the Jersey Pine Barrens. The LI Pine Barrens are surrounded by people. In Jersey, the people are surrounded by the Pine Barrens.

Just my 2 cents...

Paul, how did you learn about the Barrens? Through personal exploration or word of mouth and research?

[SIZE="3"]All three. I lived in Ocean County for almost 30 years -- the Pine Barrens run into its western reaches.

See the YA RJ thread for more Barrens.[/SIZE]

I was just wondering if anyone else has checked this out or knows anything about the Barrens and things to look for.

I grew up on the edge of the Pines -- Mt. Laurel (Burlington county). I don't know if Google Earth would show you any of the more interesting things, like the little towns of population 1 or 2. (E.g., Ongs Hat, which consisted of nothing but an abandoned (?) hot-dog stand or something the last time I was by there, lo these many, many years ago.)

Never saw or heard of the "pine lights" though, until I read about them in "The Barrens". Hmmm. Maybe it's time for a long-overdue trip home ...

Brett

I grew up on the edge of the Pines -- Mt. Laurel (Burlington county). I don't know if Google Earth would show you any of the more interesting things, like the little towns of population 1 or 2. (E.g., Ongs Hat, which consisted of nothing but an abandoned (?) hot-dog stand or something the last time I was by there, lo these many, many years ago.)

Never saw or heard of the "pine lights" though, until I read about them in "The Barrens". Hmmm. Maybe it's time for a long-overdue trip home ...

Brett

Have you ever used Google Earth? If not, check it out. It gets pretty detailed. I don't know about a hot-dog stand, but then again I don't know where to look. You can see individual houses.

I did notice an Ong Hat road, or something similar, last night while browsing, but I can't find it now. I did find a Sooy Place Rd, though. You might remember Gus Sooy in the story.

I'm still searching for an oval shaped patch of sand on which NOTHING grows.

I was reading the story The Barrens and was again taken by the description of desolation and vastness of the Barrens in NJ (SSE of Rt 70?). So I decided to check it out on Google Earth. I found some landmarks like the Hog Wallow Cranberry Bogs and, I believe, the "town" of Chatsworth (the capitol of the Barrens?). It looks like there is an airport/landing strip just to the east of Chatsworth.

I was just wondering if anyone else has checked this out or knows anything about the Barrens and things to look for.

Paul, how did you learn about the Barrens? Through personal exploration or word of mouth and research?

-------------------
I also just noticed an area designated Dept of Defense. What do they do there?

The landing strip is for the "lights"