by mike on September 3, 2010
Calling all dog owners and dog lovers! You and your furry friends will enjoy this moderate loop hike that runs around the scenic Ramapo lake. We will also climb trough the ruins of an old stone castle and take in some panoramic views as well. Woof! Woof!
Dogs:
You do NOT need to bring a dog to participate!
All pets must be leashed the entire time, no matter what.
Bring water and a doggie dish as well as a plastic bag, or two.
Member Cost:
$5 for the first 5 to buy a ticket
$10 for the next 6-25 to buy a ticket
$20 at the door (so please register online)
Non-Member Cost:
$20 online and at the door
Tickets:
There are a limited number of Tickets for sale.
Tickets are not mailed, but your name will be kept at the door.
Actual hike is subject to change depending on weather conditions, fallen trees, etc.
All sales are final.
Date:
September 18
Specs:
The hike is classified as moderate and is about 3.2 miles long.
The hike should take 2-3 hours.
As with all hikes you must be in good, athletic shape.
Sweeper:
If our hiking group is large we might look for 2 volunteers to act as sweepers. Sweepers will walk at the end of the hike line and will make sure the group stays together.
Hike Leader:
Noah will be leading this hike.
What to bring:
Hiking boots and water (required).
Snacks, a light lunch, etc.
Toilet paper, tissues, plastic bags for garbage, etc.
Inclement Weather:
Light rain might not cancel this hike. Please check your inbox for updates and the NJYP.org calendar. Tickets will be refunded.
Directions:
Take Interstate Route 287 to Exit 57 (Skyline Drive) and proceed north on Skyline Drive. Just ahead on the left is the Ramapo Mountain State Forest parking area.
by Alexander Washburn on September 2, 2010
I would have to say that my favorite bartender is Alli.
Early one Friday night I slipped into Lenora’s for a much-needed family break. The Mets were on the coast giving me a few hours to waste before first pitch at 10:05. Every seat at the bar was taken and most of the bar tables occupied. With the front room crowded, I took my Bud bottle and wandered into the back room.
I’m no regular at Lenora’s but in the handful of times I’ve been there, I’ve never seen anyone in the backroom. Except me: the first night I ever went to the bar and tonight. Truth is, all I really wanted to do was drink a beer and do some reading (Yes, I’m the type of guy who goes to bars alone and READS!). The backroom was empty with big cushiony chairs that if you think long enough would probably want to put on one of those contamination suits before taking a seat. Exposed to the elements, I plopped down, pulled from my beer and cracked open Augusten Burrough’s ‘Dry.’
Being a memoir about an alcoholic, ‘Dry’ isn’t exactly perfect bar reading. From my experience, I’ve always felt that travel stories with their tales of crazy overseas bars and customs make for the best books to read in bars. All one has to do is read the opening pages to Chuck Anderson’s ‘Smile When You’re Lying: Confessions of a Rouge Travel Writer’ to know what I’m talking about.
As a music lover, I can’t tell you how I actually spend more than five minutes in Lenora’s without ripping what’s left of my hair out. I must resist the temptation to take out my iPod so I can finally hear some bass. The playlist at Lenora’s settles firmly in the space between metal/hair band/rock music. It’s a place where you hear Iron Maiden and Dokken. If you’ve answered the question ‘what type of music do you like?’ by saying anything but heavy metal, Lenora’s music will drive you mad.
Going back to why Alli is my favorite bartender. A few nights later, after I had put ‘Dry’ to bed, I opted to start reading ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ a highly recommended book by John Irving. I had only read one Irving book before: ‘The World According to Garp’ which was let on the ledge of the window in the lobby of my old apartment in Hell’s Kitchen. This ledge was a refuge for unwanted items that tenants opted not to throw out. Old magazines, books, CD’s and even a few clothing items found their way to the ledge. I was even guilty of leaving a few stray Maxim’s and Esquire’s on that ledge. The Esquire’s were never touched but the Maxim’s were always snatched up, I suppose by the guys on the 4th floor or the sexually adventurous woman on 2.
So, there I was one early evening, at the bar reading ‘Owen Meany’ when Alli came over to me. She was dressed in a sun dress and wearing the official footwear of summer: the dreaded flip-flop. Why would anyone want to wear flip-flops behind a bar is beyond me, but Alli doesn’t fret over drinks spilled over her pedicured toes.
Now, I don’t like to stereotype people but I must say that I was surprised when Alli – after handing me my Bud bottle, said: “I love that book. I read it in school.” With her young looks it’s hard to know if Alli meant college or high school. Not one to talk much these days, I never asked for clarification. Plus, I like the mystery of not knowing much about Alli.
‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ is quite the lengthy book with a few surprises I assume along the way. Like who really is Owen Meany and what is his special role in life. Alli tried her best not to ruin the surprises that are coming up the pipe but did let out a “did you get to the part when..” before AC/DC’s ‘For Those About to Rock’ loudly blasted over the speakers, drowning her out.
While everyone else in the bar was looking at me rather weird for reading in a crowded bar, With the looks the guys playing pool, gave me, you would’ve thought I was wearing a dress and not reading a book. However, Alli did her job perfectly. She was pleasant, not overly talkative and made me feel very welcomed even though I wasn’t ordering shots or playing air guitar with the poll cues.
I’ve said a few kind things about Lenora’s in this space, let’s add friendly and well-read bartenders to the list.
