• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Jen's a Little Loopy

Putting the cray in CRAftY since the 80s

  • Home
  • Artsy
  • Deep Thoughts/Hot Takes
  • About
  • Yarny
    • roundup
    • Patterns
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
You are here: Home / Deep Thoughts/Hot Takes / Tranquility Trail in Woolwich Township, New Jersey

Tranquility Trail in Woolwich Township, New Jersey

May 22, 2017 by Jennifer 2 Comments

 

I’ve been plagued with some thorny pattern design issues this past week, so I decided to go check out a new hiking trail that just opened near us – Tranqulility Trail in Woolwich Township.  Getting out in nature and moving around clears my brain like nothing else can.

Tranquility Trail is part of a larger Open Space and Recreation Plan in Woolwich.  The plan includes building a trail system which connects local parks and neighborhoods.  I’m so happy they are marking efforts to preserve the beautiful open spaces near where I grew up.

Tranquility Trail is so new that there are no signs, and it doesn’t yet appear on a map.  The article said the trail is “off High Hill Road,” so I figured I could make a good guess or two and find the trail head.  If you’re not a local and want to go check it out, it’s right about here on this map:

Tranquility Trail Map

Luckily, my first guess was correct and we found the trail head at the back of a shiny new parking lot.  We were the only people there, probably because it was a cloudy, breezy day.

Tranquility Trail:

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

It was pretty clear which direction we were supposed to go, even though there weren’t any trail markers.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

Just after we stepped into the woods, Smalls found something fun.  He had a very good time jumping on those boards to make mud squish out.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

The path through the woods was pretty.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

The woods opened up to a large, grassy field with an old, rusty piece of farm equipment in the middle.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

This part of the trail was more tractor tracks than hiking trail, but I figured Smalls was heading in the right direction because of the orange sign.  Thank goodness we put on lots of tick spray!

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

There are many open fields along Tranquility Trail.  I love it because it reminds me of when I used to go hiking as a kid.  We didn’t have organized paths or anything, just tons of farms and woods to wander through.  These days…not so much.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

Smalls thought the trail wanted us to go across the field.  I thought it was supposed to go along the edge of the field.  *shrug*  I won that one, though it’s possible I was wrong.  😉

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

There were loads of these cute little flowers which are probably weeds.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

And these pretty purple flowers which were blowing around in the wind too much for a proper photo.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

And these pretty flowering bushes!

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

While we hiked, every once in awhile we smelled honeysuckle.  We didn’t actually see any until the way back.  Smalls was pretty impressed when I showed him how to drink a flower.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

The trail (well, at least the trail we followed) borders a large area of wetlands, which are super important to our ecosystem.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

Surprise!  Beehives tucked back in the woods!  We tried to listen for buzzing, but the wind rustling through the reeds was too loud.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

After a small patch of woods, the trail opened out onto a large field again.  There weren’t any markers one way or the other, and we had to choose either left…

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

…or right.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

Both looked just as promising, so I left it to Smalls to decide.  He picked right, and off we went for a lonnnnnnng walk down the side of the field.  I could see Raccoon Creek through the woods, so I’m guessing we were on the correct side of the field.

The only marker I saw of any kind was this tiny blue flag about halfway down the field.

Tranquility Trail - Woolwich Township New Jersey

We walked a bit past that, trying for the end of the field at least, but Smalls started to grump about his feet being tired.  There really wasn’t anywhere to sit because there were ant hills and yellow jackets all around.  So, we turned back home.

On the way back I did take a peek to see if there was a path where the blue flag was.  It doesn’t seem to have been cleared – there was a giant sticker bush right there, and also a large spiderweb – so I didn’t get too far in.

Tranquility Trail was a super nice hike even though we didn’t make the loop.  (Er, does it have a loop?)  I am looking forward to getting to the bottom of where it actually goes!  That may be a mama-only hike.

I’m sure there will be trail markers and such in short order.  It’s very new and those things take time.

Also, as the article linked above mentioned, they’ll be planting flowers in the fields.  It will be gorgeous when it’s in bloom!

I do hope they do a better job clearing the grassy area on that one part of the trail. I feel silly noting that because when you go outdoors you run into nature (including ticks). Bug spray which contains DEET and all of the other ordinary tick precautions are a really good idea on any hike.  Cutting back that grass a bit would help reduce my chances to get up close and personal with the nasty little bloodsuckers, and would be greatly appreciated.  =)

Have you been to Tranquility Trail yet?  Set me straight!  Did we make a wrong turn or not go far enough down that last field?

I’m looking forward to doing much more hiking and outdoorsey things this year (I think Smalls may be big enough to hop in a kayak with me!), and also breaking out my big girl camera rather than being lazy and just using my phone.  Where should I go next?

 

Filed Under: Deep Thoughts/Hot Takes

Previous Post: « Sugarwheel Pattern Ideas – Crochet
Next Post: Learn to paint beautiful watercolors with Skillshare »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynne Bussott

    May 12, 2019 at 3:21 pm

    Tranquility Trail now has trail markers and will be getting a kiosk sign area to display the map. We have also installed 8 blue bird houses if you are into bird watching! In high Spring you will see wild flowers blooming too!
    Lynne
    Swedesboro Woolwich Environmental Commission

    Reply
    • Jennifer

      May 13, 2019 at 8:13 am

      Lynne, thank you so much for this update! Very much looking forward to returning for another hike and excited to hear about the bird houses! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

This content may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of those links at no extra cost to you. You can read our affiliate policy here.

Hey there, beautiful!

Hey there, beautiful! I'm so happy you're here! Let's go do something crazy!
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Wit and wisdom in your inbox!

Recent Posts

  • Crochet NFTs, an Experiment in Interactive Pattern Design
  • How to Dig Out of a Creative Rut – Vol. 4
  • How to Dig Out of a Creative Rut – Vol. 3
  • How to Dig Out of a Creative Rut – Vol 2.
  • How to Dig Out of a Creative Rut Vol. 1

So many pins, so little time!

Footer

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

I'm on a mission to empower women to have crafty misadventures by encouraging them to make time for creativity; try new products and techniques; and have fun while making lots of mistakes. My core belief is that any creative project can be improved by adding a cute face to it. Read More →

Disclosures/Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 Jen’s a Little Loopy. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unless otherwise noted, all patterns, DIY instructions, and recipes on this site are for personal use only, and may not be reproduced and/or sold to third parties.

This mason jar snowman combines a little paint on an upcycled jar and crochet for a cute, quick gift the kids can help with!
Free crochet pattern for glowing crochet ghosts upcycled Halloween craft! Start with a yogurt jar, end up with awesome!
Free Hugamonster Crochet Monster Pattern

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework