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Garden State Living, Tourism

Hidden Gems of New Jersey: Lake Hopatcong

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Written by: Suzanne LaVoie

LAKE HOPATCONG

Spring has arrived.  Flowers are in full bloom, daylight stretches even longer for you to enjoy the outdoors, and life overflows with excitement to get out there and put the last remnants of winter behind you.  Nature is calling.  Why not spend it in a beautiful area known as Lake Hopatcong (cited as the largest freshwater body in New Jersey) located between the counties of Sussex and Morris?

THE LAKE

Water is therapeutic in many ways.  It relaxes you and allows for contemplation and meditation; or you could enjoy some of the diverse activities offered throughout the warmer months, including boating and waterskiing. 

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Welcome back, lady!

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Boat cruises provide spectacular views of the lake and gorgeous homes that line the surrounding grounds.  Weekend pontoon boat cruises supply opportunities to learn the history of Lake Hopatcong, including some of the specific dwellings that come into focus as you take in all that is around you. 

There are signature cruises on a special vessel to avail yourself of as well during the season from May through October.  Lake Hopatcong additionally offers a “floating classroom” for people of all ages to enjoy and get hands-on experience on an amazing educational adventure (not to mention time in the breathtaking Hopatcong State Park).    

DELICIOUS DINING

Every outing deserves to begin with a sensational breakfast.  What better place to begin than the Jefferson Diner which was featured on the Food Network with Guy Fieri?  The portions are incredible and if you desire to take home an amazing reminder of the scrumptious delectable, the lobster bisque is it!  You will bask in the chunks of lobster from this favorite soup!

If you crave something mid-day, then you can travel to the Jefferson House right on the lakefront.  Awesome food and beverages in a casual atmosphere along with a catching view!  Who could ask for more?  And yes, there is live music throughout the summer months! A perfect combination!  If you are looking for a terrific dining place to treat Mom on Mother’s Day, the Jefferson House is accepting reservations for Brunch and Dinner.

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Beautiful night…finally.

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How about the evening meal?  Look no further than the Windlass Restaurant, which is also located on the lake.  Indoor and outdoor dining is available and the cuisine caters to all taste buds! This charming restaurant even has outdoor gliders to take delight in!  Oh, and be sure to check out their website which includes a fascinating account of the history of the Windlass and a once-famous amusement park from decades ago!

MORE FUN

Lake Hopatcong is a hidden gem in New Jersey.  It exudes its own peace and serenity when you take the time to take pleasure in its gorgeous sights.  It is a fundamental place for amateur and seasoned photographers to get their cameras and phones rolling to capture this natural wonder of New Jersey (there are never enough photos of nature, so go for it and click/snap away). 

There are nearby trails to hike if you are searching for more adventure and fitness.  Numerous events pop up throughout the heaviest tourism months which include various fun activities sponsored by the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club.  A fireworks display will be held this year on June 28th with a rain date of July 7th.  Bridge Marina also offers events centered on boating enthusiasts.  Come check it all out!

DO SOMETHING NEW

Do it.  Give yourself permission.  Life is busy and often hectic and stressful.  You deserve to treat yourself to a day of tranquility, exquisite eats, entertainment, and experience.  Seek out Lake Hopatcong and be forever changed.      

Feature Image: Flickr/jrzykat

Rising Stars

For The Hayters

 

#HipNJ interviews the creators of For The Hayters to learn more about the message they are sending out to the world. 

“Though Becky, Laura, and Devin once walked down three separate and distinct paths, theirs crossed upon realizing they all shared a passion for one simple but unifying thing: telling a story.”

Becky Hayter, Laura Carrione and Devin Lyons combined there individual passions of graphic design, writing, photography and film to shed light on the hidden struggles everyone deals with. For The Hayters is a platform and community for people from all walks of life to bond over life’s shortcomings. 

This #SocialSaturday, we are sharing the For The Haters message and thanking them for spreading love to those who need it the most. To learn more about For The Haters, you can find them on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. 

 

Across the River

9/11 Photographer Speaks Out

By Kenneth Barilari

It has been 15 years, and September 11, 2001 remains as heavy in our hearts as it has ever been. While we remember those affected by that tragic day and feel sorrow for the brothers and sisters we lost, we also remember the unity that came after. Thomas E. Franklin is the photographer that took the iconic photo, “Raising the Flag at Ground Zero.” The photo, which shows three firemen raising the American flag at the site, has largely become a symbol of hope.

Thomas E. Franklin, Assistant Professor in Multi-platform Journalism at Montclair State University, realized his passion for photography in college. “I was studying art. I took a photography class and really liked it,” he explains. He then got a job at with a newspaper in the dark room printing pictures. He calls this his introduction to photojournalism.

Franklin, a Bergen County resident, was working as a photojournalist with The Bergen Record in September 2001, and has been for 23 years. That morning, he started out in his office at The Record. After the first plane hit, he initiated a commute Manhattan. Then, the second plane hit. “The crossings were closed, so I took photos in Jersey City.” These photos show the tragedy unfolding from across the water. “Sometime in the early afternoon, I was able to get there by boat.”

Upon arriving to the site, Franklin recalls a scene of absolute horror. “The amount of damage was enormous,” he says. “There was wreckage everywhere. It was a very dramatic scene.” He started taking photos, but with everything happening around him, he wasn’t focused on the potential these pictures carried. “I had just seen the two largest buildings in the world come crashing down, killing thousands of people,” he recalls.

Franklin took many striking images that day, capturing moments in U.S. history that will never be forgotten. One shot stands out. Three rescue firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero quickly turned into a message for the American people. This message was that life, as impossible as it may seem, will go on and we will get through this together.

postage-stampThe flag raising photo has done a tremendous amount of good, which Franklin is proud of. It was used on a U.S. postage stamp, which helped raise 10 million dollars for victims. This year in particular, Franklin says that he received a tremendous amount of kind words and words of support. People used social media especially to relay how much the photo means to them.

Franklin is a very busy man. He has been working on a new project for which he has been following refugee families that have been relocated to Elizabeth. He has reported on how religious groups have friended Muslim families, forming friendships and raising money for them. “Coming to the country as a refugee, having nothing and knowing no one, is very difficult,” he says. “Synagogues have stepped in to provide friendship and support.”

The flag raising photo itself remains bittersweet to Franklin. While he wishes the events that led to the photograph never took place, he remembers that the photo has done a great deal of good and helped a tremendous amount of people.