21. Earning a Fat Sandwich (or Two) by Hitting the Trails in Northeastern New Jersey
Release Date: 05/25/2021
33: Leavenworth, Washington, Christmas Town Year-Round
Locals Know Best
Today, on the , I’ll be speaking with Tom Potter about all of his favorite outdoor adventures in a town you may know as one of the most picturesque Alpine-style villages in the United States, Leavenworth, Washington! I’m very excited for this episode because Leavenworth has always been in the back of my mind as an excellent fit for this podcast, and even more so for one of our holiday episodes. Leavenworth is not only incredibly jam-packed with outdoor activities, it boasts tons of holiday cheer to boot! We will, of course, talk a bit about the holiday season and how it affects and...
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32: Portland, Maine, The Way Life Should Be
Locals Know Best
Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Kristan Vermeulen about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Portland, Maine. Join Kristan and me as we visit Portland, Maine, during both the off and on-season, eating tons of tasty treats along the way! Activities we discuss in this episode include hitting the water in multiple vessel options, skiing, dog sledding, oyster shucking, hiking, and more! About Kristan Vermeulen Kristan is originally from Maryland and was a Director of Public Relations for the Department of Defense for six years while living there. However, a full-time job...
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31: Hiking Above the Clouds in Mount Rainier National Park
Locals Know Best
Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Michelle Stelly about how to make the most of a weekend at Mount Rainier National Park! , Michelle and I will first discuss Washington’s three beautiful national parks. Then, we’ll backpack, hike, and snowshoe throughout all four seasons in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as touch on a few of the surrounding areas. We’ll be sure to see tons of epic waterfalls, lakes, and fire lookouts along the way, and of course, also have plenty of opportunities to view the incredible Mount Rainier! About Michelle Stelly Michelle runs The Wandering Queen,...
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30: Alexandria, Virginia, a Nice Mixture of Old and New
Locals Know Best
Today, I'll be speaking with Cecilia and Scott Fix about how to spend a fantastic day outdoors in Alexandria, Virginia. Join Cecilia, Scott, and me as we start off our day, waking up in a spooky spot. Then we continue adventuring outdoors via boating the Potomac and geocaching. All while also appreciating old architecture, waterfront parks, art installations, Cherry Blossoms, and all of the best eating and drinking Alexandria has to offer along the way. About Cecilia and Scott Fix Scott and Cecilia are a travel blogging married couple who travel both locally and internationally. They...
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29: Kenai, Alaska, You've Entered the Real Alaska
Locals Know Best
Today, on , I’ll be speaking with Jon Taylor about how to make the most of an outdoorsy trip throughout the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. is sure to put you under the spell of the north. Join Jon and me as we enjoy the Kenai peninsula as an adventure-loving local would! Our discussion is chock full of outdoor experiences, including sea kayaking, flying ourselves to epic fishing locations, hiking, and fat tire biking the beach! Also, as you would expect, there’s tons of mountain, glacier, bear, and Alaskan National Park chat along the way! About Jon Taylor Jon is a pilot, traveler,...
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28: That Cabin Cozy Feel in Flagstaff, Arizona
Locals Know Best
Today, I'll be speaking with Sam To about how to make the most of an outdoorsy trip to Flagstaff, Arizona. Join Sam and me on a “choose your own level of adventure” summer day! Options range from hiking, biking, and swimming, to car touring and leisurely taking in Flagstaff’s beauty from up in the treetops. About Sam To Sam works on the COVID-19 response team for the state of Arizona in a position that is 100% remote from home, which she has found to be pretty fantastic! She lives with her husband, Will, her daughter, Lucy, and dog Pop. Lucy is 1-year-old and has already joined...
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27. The Natural Wonders of Western Los Angeles, California
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Laura Grier about all of her favorite outdoor adventures throughout Western Los Angeles. We’ll primarily focus on the span along the coast between Marina del Rey and Malibu, including stops in Venice, Santa Monica, Culver City, and Topanga. And then, before wrapping it all up, we’ll also be taking a quick second-day trip over to Catalina Island! Join Laura and me as we paddle, bike, jeep, hike, wine taste, and even take an extra day island adventuring all in West LA! About Laura Grier Laura has lived in Venice Beach and Los Angeles for 20 years. Living...
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26. North Umpqua, Oregon, The Gateway to Crater Lake
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Sam Starns about all of her favorite outdoor adventures around the North Umpqua area, with notable stops in Roseburg, Oregon, and Crater Lake National Park. Join Sam and me as we wake up and watch the sunrise in Crater Lake National Park. Then, we proceed with a packed day, full of paddling, hiking, exploring countless waterfalls, soaking in hot springs, fishing, and even mushroom foraging. Lastly, we wind down with a glass of wine in the “new Napa Valley” – Roseburg, Oregon. About Sam Starns Sam is an adventure elopement photographer who takes...
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25. Livingston, Montana, Where Cowboys and Artists Meet
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Mel Harrison about all of her favorite outdoor adventures around Livingston, Montana. Join Mel and me as we spend a winter day cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, skiing, and ice skating all around Livingston, Montana. Then, in the end, we’ll also dive into a few summer-weather outdoorsy activities, including fishing, floating, and hiking, that can be enjoyed in the Livingston area! About Mel Harrison Mel is an expert on Montana and Yellowstone outdoor recreation and has spent years exploring both for work and pleasure. She and her...
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24. Northfield, Minnesota, A Quaint Little River Town
Locals Know Best
Today, I’ll be speaking with Kristen Glazer about how to make the most of a day outdoors in Northfield, Minnesota. Join Kristen and me as we spend a late summer / early fall day hiking, boating, and kayaking. Then, in the end, we’ll cover a few winter-weather outdoorsy activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, that can be enjoyed in the Northfield area as well! About Kristen Glazer Kristen is a Minnesota-based travel writer. She is also the founder of Expedition Kristen, a website that is chock full of thoughtful itineraries to help readers plan their next day...
info_outlineToday, I’ll be speaking with Mike Nicosia from Northeastern New Jersey. We’ll discuss why his hometown area should not be overlooked when thinking about hitting the trails in New England.
Join Mike and me as we hike to the best views in Northeastern New Jersey, learn about a haunted spot and a local unsolved mystery, eat some local staple foods, and ultimately discover why the area has "more to offer than people give it credit for!"
About Mike Nicosia
Mike is the founder of Conquerwild.com, a site that focuses on product reviews, how-to guides, and informational content for campers and hikers.
He's also a screenwriter, animal lover, and advocate for eco-friendliness.
What We Cover in this Episode
- Why New Jersey is not what you initially think it is and why it's worth a stop for outdoors lovers.
- The best and worst time of year to visit New Jersey.
- The best spot to stay in Northeastern New Jersey.
- The fact that New Jersey has more diners than any other state in the country.
- A place that cannot be missed for breakfast - the number one diner in New Jersey.
- A mountainous reservation where you can see over 150 species of birds.
- A beautiful and recommended trail with a spooky ghost story.
- The second-best diner in the state that you should also be sure not to miss!
- Disco Fries: A New Jersey staple.
- A state park complete with a tourable historical Manor and botanical gardens.
- A family-friendly lake perfect for swimming, paddling, and enjoying ice cream.
- A trail with climbing, rock scramble, caves, views, wildlife, and a UFO story.
- A waterfall trail that hits up two states at once with views of NYC.
- The best spots in Montclair for dinner, fat sandwiches, milkshakes, and ice cream.
- A reservation with a 9/11 memorial that looks over NYC and is perfect for wrapping up the day.
- A town in the area that is the self-proclaimed cherry blossom capital of the world.
- A few New Jersey party zones.
- A picturesque old building that was used in the film "A Beautiful Mind."
- The best Instagram spots in northeastern New Jersey.
- An overrated Instafamous trail in the area, and the trails you should hit up instead.
Quotables
Well, you know, there's the whole kind of stigma around New Jersey. Everybody knows it's kind of been the butt of a joke to an extent. People hear Jersey... there's the joke about it being "Dirty Jersey." People call it the armpit of the United States. It's terrible. People associate it with the show, The Jersey Shore, which, while that show is extremely entertaining at times, it doesn't really reflect the true culture and beauty of the state. So Northern New Jersey is a whole other aspect of the state that people don't really get to see in media and everything. And we actually have a bit of the Appalachian Trail that runs through it. So there's some really beautiful natural locations, some great hiking spots, and some great history as well that make this part of the state unique.
Mike
Jersey is known for their diners. I'm pretty sure that we have more than any other state... you go anywhere in New Jersey, there's a diner on every corner. And most of them are definitely worth your time. But Tops Diner has been voted the number one diner in America by Time Out Magazine, and they have some great selections.
Mike
...there's also Lambert's Tower along this trail, which is a 70-foot tall tower that was built in 1896. And it's kind of known to be haunted, actually. And I have a bit of a haunting experience there ... Honestly, the one true experience that I have, I can say as a paranormal experience, in my opinion.
Mike
If you're in New Jersey, you absolutely have to get some Disco Fries.
Mike
...I'm a hiking guy. So you always have to hit the trails when you're with me.
Mike
I like this hike because it kind of has everything you want to hike. There's some good climbing, some rock scramble, a beautiful view of Wanaque Reservoir. You've got some caves along the way, some great wildlife. But the coolest thing to me is the view of the Wanaque Reservoir, which actually has a very interesting UFO story associated with it.
Mike
...since we've hiked so much today, I think we've earned a fat sandwich or two.
Mike
I hate to say it, but I mean, I don't hate to say it because, you know, we all like to have that kind of fun. As much as I want to distance myself and the New Jersey state from like the show, The Jersey Shore, sometimes you gotta have some fun, sometimes that's what you need to do.
Mike
You know, I have to say with the fact that New Jersey is often the butt of the joke, it's so easy to overlook this area with the amount of things that people say about it, with the amount of negative media around it. But honestly, sometimes it's the hidden gems that bring you the most beauty and the most fun honestly. And in New Jersey, we know how to have a good time. If that could be the moral of the story, that's that. But at the same time, there are places to find peace, there are places to enjoy nature, there are places to Instagram. Overall, I think the state has more to offer than people give it credit for. And, you know, even when people are thinking of New Jersey in a positive light, they usually think of the shore, they think of more Southern Jersey, they think of Seaside Heights, Atlantic City, Wildwood, which are all beautiful places. But honestly, the Northern part of the state, in my opinion, is the most beautiful. You've got the mountains, you've got expansive wildlife, you've got forest, and you've got history. And to me, that's priceless.
Mike
Links to Places Mentioned in this Episode
Where the Locals Stay:
Outdoor Destinations Mentioned in this Episode's "Perfect Day":
- Garret Mountain Reservation & Barbour Pond
- Lambert Tower
- Ringwood State Park
- Skylands Manor
- New Jersey Botanical Garden
- Boat Rentals at Shepard Lake Recreation Area
- Norvin Green State Forest
- Hewitt-Butler, Highlands, Roomy Mine and Mine Trail
- Wanaque Reservoir UFO story
- Long Path & Shore Loop Trail
- Eagle Rock Reservation
- Branch Brook Park
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Stairway To Heaven Trail
Diners, Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, and Hot Spots Mentioned in this Episode:
- Tops Diner
- Pompton Queen Diner
- Raymond's
- CARS: Sandwiches & Shakes
- Applegate Farm
- The Whiskey Priest
- BarCode
- Hoboken, NJ Area
Instagram Photo Spots Mentioned in this Episode:
Thanks for Listening!
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