I have often found it amazing and wonderful that, here in New Jersey, where we have more people per square mile than any other state in the United States, that serene spots "live" near all the busyness our state offers. Consider the 47,000 acre Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge off of Route 9 in Oceanville, which is where the Brigantine division is located (the Barnegat division is located in Barnegat Township, Holgate at the southern end of Long Beach Island, and Little Beach is private). In Oceanville, where the acreage is the most, you can enjoy nature trails and climb two lookout towers and view the area of tiny islands, marsh, and wildlife from a distance. However, recommended is the 8-mile Wildlife Drive, a roughly 1 1/2 hour loop where you can enjoy the many species of birds and waterfowl, as well as the beauty of the varied ecosystems, and not interfere with it. On the brisk Thursday we visited, skies were blue as winds caused the floral growth to sway. The variety and contrast in colors is amazing. For me, it's not what I specifically see, but how it makes me feel. Yes, I could study up more on what I'm looking at - and maybe I should; the urge is strong sometimes to do that - but what I marvel at is that this actually exists, this "freedom" lives along our coast. An escape from busyness. And speaking of that busyness, the below photo reveals (if you look closely enough) Atlantic City's rising casinos behind the trees. Just 10-miles away but in clear view from various spots in the refuge is probably the Garden State's most famous skyline. In fact, as we drove and looked at the snow geese , ducks, and bird variety - some of it enjoying fresh-caught seafood right on the roadway, car tires just a feet away - the towers of Atlantic City may have dominated the view, but it was no thief to our calm. Sundown approached at the 5:00 p.m. closing time. Lucille, Stefanie, and I also said prayers and read scripture at this wonderful place, the Spirit well at home in this placid spot.
Steve
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Steve Sears is a New Jersey based freelance writer
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