PHOTO: Backpacking on a snow covered trail in Monmouth Battlefield State Park which offers over 1,000 acres of open space.

Visit a Park I'm learning more and more that the best things in life are often free.  Nowadays, economic woes and worries are causing many to look elsewhere for recreation.  How about looking in your own backyard?  There may be many public lands close to home that will allow you a low-cost day out with family and friends.  Perhaps even a little solitude as you see our backpacker in the photo enjoying.  Monmouth Battlefield State Park is located on the actual site of one the largest battles fought during the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Monmouth which took place on June 28, 1778.  Each year the park hosts a reinactment of this campaign, replete with camps, horses and cannon fire.  The reinactment as done here has even been featured on the History Channel.  After a hike outdoors we checked into the visitor center where we met the park historian, Dr. Garry Wheeler Stone, pictured here to your right.  Dr. Stone is passionate about American history and the park's primary place as a National Historic Landmark.  He also sees the park as preserving natural resources and offering shelter and forage to diverse populations of wildlife.  For example, Dr. Stone mentioned the resurgence of the Red Tailed hawk, now commonly seen in the area.  Even more, he sees the park as a place for people.  "Our open spaces can absorb an endless number of visitors" he says.  With over 25 miles of well marked hiking trails, open fields and brush, I'd have to agree.

Our stop at the visitor's center gave us a glimpse of the historic heritage of the park while allowing us to warm up.  Bring along some hot cocoa in your backpack for a little warmth, (see the Cocoa to Go recipe below).  We were abe to see replicas of cannons used during the Battle of Monmouth, donated by the Molly Pitcher Memorial Cannon Project.  Dr. Stone enlisted us as "recruits" to participate in a cannon drill on a 4 lb Field Piece there on display, (see photo here to your right).  It is called a 4 lb cannon because it shot a four pound weight ball with the cooperative help of a team of soldiers.  The bucket on the floor is for water to cool and clean the cannon between firings.  Also on display at the visitor's center are actual battlefield artifacts found within the park.  The park also offers all types free programs on everything from history to wildlife preservation.  This is a great recreational value!  Fresh air, exercise while enjoying nature.  As for snow sports, the park offers beautiful hills for sledding, snowboarding and trails for cross country skiing as well as snowshoeing. 

One of the best ways to engage both your body and mind is to learn something new while exercising.  We found the park a perfect place to do both.  There are well marked farm trails of varying lengths to hike and observe the local birds and animals.  On our visit we saw beautiful red Cardinals and noticed rabbit tracks in the snow.  Starting on Saturday, April 12th 2009,  Monmouth Battlefield State Park will offer free Bird Walks starting at 8:15 am. They are held every alternate Saturday.  These are guided tours lead by a member of the Audubon Society and meet at the visitor's center.  This is a great opportunity to see the large and diverse variety of birds including hawks and waterfowl during the earlier hours of the day.  You'll have some company and quiet conversation while you walk.  Much better than the usual mundane jog around the neighborhood.   Be sure to bring your binoculars!  Want to learn more?  Visit Monmouth Battlefield State Park online at: http://www.njparksandforests.org

Visit an Orchard - On our day out and after our trek through the beautiful acres of snow driven trails, we stopped off at Battleview Orchards which is adjacent to Monmouth Battlefield State Park.  Owned by the same family for over 100 years, it offers seasonal pick-your-own peaches, cherries, strawberries, pumkins and apples.  Fresh pressed apple cider is another wonderful treat at the orchard.  They also offer spring tree pruning demonstrations.  During the winter months you can stop in for fresh produce, preserves and some tasty treats from their on-site bakery.  Pictured here is Magda with a delicious apple strudel and the store manager, Mary.  Visit Battleview Orchards online at http://www.battlevieworchards.com

Cocoa to Go

1 scoop Rich Chocolate Protein Energizer 

1 heaping tablespoon of cocoa mix or Ovaltine

1/8 tsp of Cinnamon

2 cups or 16 oz of milk or dairy substitute 

Mix one scoop of Rainbow Light's Rich Chocolate Protein Energizer, cocoa mix and cinnamon with 2 cups of very warm milk.  Add to your thermos and go!  One scoop provides 15 grams of protein or 30% of your daily requirement for the trail.

You'll need to pack light and right for your day out.  An extra pair of socks and proper footwear are key.  Depending on the amount of snow on the ground, you may do fine with slip proof boots.  There was only about an inch of snow on the ground with ice underneath so my Sperry Topsider leather boots handled the terrain quite well with no slips.  If you want to try hiking in deep, ungroomed trails, you'll need a good pair of snowshoes.  My favorite are Tubb's Bear Paw Traditional Snowshoes pictured here.  They really allow you to "float" above the light, unpacked snow and make traveling nearly effortless under such conditions.

Mittens work best for colder temps., (we were hiking in 31 degree weather), especially if you are going to be out a while.  However fingered gloves work better for handling navigation gear such as a compass or field glasses.  Dressing in layers is smart but it is better to start out a little "under-heated".  As you begin exercising your body temperature will rise just enough, making you comfortable without excessive sweating.  My teal Alpental Jacket by ExOfficio was just the right amount of warmth with a bit of stretch for extra mobility.

Another piece of equipment to have in your backpack is a weather meter, especially if you will be outdoors for any length of time.  This will give you altitude, wind speed, temperature, humidity and most importantly, barometric readings which can indicate an impending storm.  My Kestrel 3500 has a night vision backlight and even calculates wind-chill, a serious factor for frostbite.  Other than a digital compass or GPS system such as a Magellan RoadMate, this is about all the technical gear you'll need on the trail.  Needless to say, keep your fully charged cell phone with you and let someone know where you'll be tracking.  Stay on the marked trails and be aware of your surroundings.

There is so much to do and see.  Open your eyes and open your mind to alternative possibilities of cross-training in a new and challenging environment.  Our nation's public lands and open spaces are just that.  Open to the public.  Visiting your local park or wildlife reserve can be an uplifting experience and offer a refreshing change of pace.  That's the whole purpose of recreation.  Seeing God's creation with a fresh vision.  Our problem is that we have too long relied on others, (i.e. television which may cease to exist for many once the analog signal is cut), or spectator sports.  Here is an opportunity to do your own exploration, right here in your own country.  Are you ready to take up the challenge?  Thought so! 

"Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?"  Job 38:22