Tuesday, Bob, Charlie Dog and I decided to take a ride to Stokes State Park, a forested area that encompasses approximately 16000 acres. I remember camping there as part of my college education at Montclair State, but we couldn't find the exact location. When we got home, I googled the information and realized my fellow campers and I must have been at the School of Conservation in the park and owned by the university. Stokes borders High Point State Park, which as its name suggests, is the highest point in the state situated in the Kittatinny Mountain range. On our way back, I happened to see a small stone structure and asked Bob to double back. There was a historic marker that showed it was the entrance to Lusscroft, 578 acres which was once a model dairy farm run by William and James Turner in the early part of the 20th century. There was nothing to indicate whether it was open to the public or not. Again later at home, I looked up the history of Lusscroft, and it did appear various activities were still held there such a maple sugar tapping, fall walks, equestrian rides, barn sales, and other events. It might be something to explore another time. It was a gorgeous day for a ride. Temperatures started out at about 37 degrees and rose to a high of 68 and the sky grew bluer as the day progressed.
Remnant of old stone fireplace at the pavilion. It must have been sealed when the over roof was added.
Waste not, want no. An old tree stump was made into a seat for a weary hiker.
One of about a dozen cabins available for rental on a daily or weekly basis at the park
The road heading to High Point from Stokes
A dairy farm in the valley below
Double right click to enlarge if you would like to read about Lusscroft
This must have been a guard house
At least it could be heated at one time. According to the website, there are 23 buildings on the estate.
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