Grew up in South Jersey and have fond memories of exploring, 4X4ing, dirt biking, bottle hunting, camping, hunting, fishing, and partying in the pine barrens in the early 70"s.
I have fond memories of growing up in North Jersey in the early 70's wouldn't trade those times with today. We had so much more freedom. Cops weren't the militaristic, shaved headed hardasses that they are today.
Hey brother Randy! Looks like we have a lot in common. I live in the pinelands and my wife and I kayak and hike to all these ruins. We also have traveled to most of the national parks, but most of all, we love God's creation. I always look forward to your great videos and the holy Spirit emanates from you. I love the way you also bring in the spiritual importance of raising your kids in the ways of the Lord. God bless you my friend.
Very interesting tour of old factories in the Pinelands. I've only been to Pinelands twice but really enjoyed my drives and short walks there. I remember the tannin colored water of a river (Basto River?) I walked along due to decaying pines. The graffiti reminded me of a place in the Poconos. It's in the Delaware State forest on the site of an abandoned boy scout camp; it has a beautiful lake called Stone Hill lake. Thank goodness it was deeded over to State forest land & not developed. Thanks for another great visit to a nat'l park site!
Here in England,where I live now, we have streams with brown water with tannins in it caused by the thick layers of peat on the high moorland. I would guess that the tannins in the watercourses in The Pinelands is caused by BOTH the pine needles decaying,& the peat 'soil' in the bogs there.....Where grew up,in Centre County,Pennsylvania,we have a state park called Black Moshannon..about 2000ft in altitude up on the mountain(well actually it's technically the Allegheny Plateau) There are peat bogs in the park,& lots of pine trees,and the lake there,used for swimming,kayaking,& ice skating,has 'black' water...hence the state park's name. Beautiful area! 😍😍 Good blueberry picking up there in the mid to late Summer,too! 🫐🫐😋😋
I've been to New Jersey dozens of times ... but never heard of the Pinelands. 😕 Embarrassing as it covers such a large portion of the State. Love the history lessons. Amazing to think that there were once bustling communities in some of these areas. Always marvel over the strength of stone arches. They'll probably survive another 100 years. Thank you again for taking us along! Stay safe and well 😷✌️
Very amazing and interesting! I really enjoy the history at the different sites you went to, especially the glass factory at the end. Thank you for sharing more of these adventures!
Right on! We live near this area. So many in the state have no clue about the interior of the Pinelands. Fascinating stuff... all the best with your project!
There were a series of books written in the early '70's about the ghost towns of NJ. There were several volumes! There were that many towns back up in there at one time!
It's amazing how many cool places like that could be in our own backyard but never know it. Lots of awesome history. I had to unsubscribe and re-subscribe UA-cam wasn't sending me notifications when you uploaded so hopefully that fixed it.
We might now have the cool mines that I love out west, but these places, really close to our home tell so many fascinating stories! Enjoy your weekend!
It's amazing how much arches can support - and then interesting to see how long they last compared with everything else! Makes me think of the roman aqueduct systems. Cool history and a great way to explore your home state!
Incredible to think this section of land takes up some 25% of the (very populated) state and people don't know what's in there! Enjoy your weekend, Josh!
Just as I was thinking "Wow, so amazing to see the remains of a once vibrant town"....you said basically the same thought. Cool place. Sad to see the graffiti in the beginning. My 6yr old daughter has a classmate that loves old abandoned towns so I'll have to share this with his folks :) Glad to see you are still able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Continued love to you and your family :)
I really enjoyed seeing the history of these sites! Thanks so much for sharing. The USA is pretty high on my list of destinations to visit after my time here in Australia. I'll definitely head to your older videos for some guides in the future :)
Intersting! I've only driven through the Pine Barrens en route to Seaside Heights & back thru Philly & on to Centre County,l PA,where I grew up! Always wondered what it's like to explore the area,but never had time,as it's a long drive to get down the shore to enjoy the beach & ocean,then drive home. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️
Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, huge section of land in the middle of NJ that most people just drive through or around. Some cool history hidden away in there!
Well Randy as you know by now, I consider myself quite a traveler and my sister lived in NJ for awhile and yet I was completely ignorant as to this area. Thanks for educating us once again! Blessings for Indiana.
WOW REALLY AWESOME I BASICALLY KNOW ABOUT MOST HAUNTED PLACES UNBELIEVABLE AMAZING EXPERIENCE BRAVO 🎶 👏 I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS WEEK THANKS LORETTA FROM JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS AWESOME
Randy, This is a very interesting tour you provided on this not-so-well known site. The pines in your video are beautiful. Love seeing Shane explore and find something to show you! THANK YOU FOR SHARING, . . . Mike
20+ years ago when I took my first pictures there, Brooksbrae had ZERO graffiti. 3:35 "they burned the whole place down". No, it was a forest fire. It had been closed by then and was in use by a Boy Scout troupe, if memory serves. Then the forest fire hit. Weymouth had two paper mills. The second set of ruins behind the fence is from the other paper mill. One mill was called Weymouth and the other called Atlantic. Good video. You covered a lot. Thanks.
I've been fascinated by the pine barrens ever since reading John McPhee's book as a teenager. I'm glad to see the place remains mostly intact since he wrote it in the late 1960s and it hasn't been developed much or its pristine aquifer polluted.
So awesome to see you getting around Randy and exploring where you can.Nice clip and some really interesting history. Im going to try and do an overnight next week since I will have 2 days off for the 1st time since returning to work. Shooting for Giant Sequioa Nat'l Monument if it all goes well. Praying that your plans for this summer with Shane work out. How cool it will be for him to be able to go on a trip like that with just Dad. Memories to be made!
Thanks, Robert! Yes, Lord willing it will be our first trip together. Hope you have a nice time up at GS. Did the north unit, still need the see the s. unit. Be safe!
Cool! I’m hoping to go canoeing in the Pinelands later this summer on the Great Egg Harbor River. Have you thought about going to any of the National Park Sites in NYC once the pandemic has calmed down? Castle Clinton, Stonewall, African Burial Ground, Governors Island, Grants Tomb, Hamilton Grange, and of course the Statue of Liberty? Could be a great future video.
Wonderful, Daniel! We live on the Jersey Shore. Yes, check out my NJ and NY playlists as I have many of these places documented - especially kayaking on the GEH River and climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy your trips and thanks for the comment!
Hey Randy, just returned! Not sure when I'll het it up, but that Vegas heat was brutal. We tried to walk the RR trail the day we arrived and didn't even make it to the first tunnel! Still a great time out west!
Americas Parks yes ur right it’s hot 🥵 right now. I’m glad u made it on the first tunnel and saw the lake mead view. Excited to see the video Brother Randy and God bless.
Near where I grew up in South Jersey was a man made lake because there had been an old brick factory. The only thing left of it is the lake and a bunch of old bricks strewn about the place
There is really some cool stuff in the Pinelands - much of it most people in the state know nothing about. We live in NJ too and have really enjoyed exploring some of these fascinating places. Take care!
It is fascinating that the general public has no idea of the long interesting history of their home state. Take some time to research and it will make you want to research more and actually visit some of the places and places no longer there. Every state has interesting little known history.
What comes to mind in New Jersey Pine lands? I would have to say definitely the New Jersey Devil & Deer hunting that my whole family goes hunting at.. I love animals so I definitely won't take part in hunting, but they're hardcore hunters..
I live in South Jersey in Camden County.. Where's this picture taken at in NJ? It probably says it in the video, but as soon as I seen it I had to comment.. Lol
Part or all of problem with the NJ iron works was the bog iron was poor quality. I ride my bike a lot on Pasadena road and there are always explorers cars parked there. Closer to home are the remains of a nudist colony. Kids vandalized the whirlpool bath :(
Man people really trashed that brick factory, late 90's it did nor look anything like that. The tunnels are pretty cool tho some are collapsed so be careful.
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@@AmericasParks I used to live in spotswood in the 70s. As a drunken teenager, I was allowed to party with my brother and his friends because I had the fake ID that bought the beer. One place we tried to go to with our substitute high School teachers was a place called crematory hell. Supposedly there's three hills. The first hill is an abandoned car, second Hill is an abandoned house, and the third Hill is the abandoned crematorium. I guess only cool people like the Hell's Angels or the Mongols get to party in a place like that. We couldn't get back there. There was tree limbs blocking the way YOUR MISSION IS TO FIND CREMATORY HELL AND VISIT THERE AND MAKE A VIDEO. It's somewhere in central New Jersey not that far from spotswood. Thank you for great videos of New Jersey.
Grew up in South Jersey and have fond memories of exploring, 4X4ing, dirt biking, bottle hunting, camping, hunting, fishing, and partying in the pine barrens in the early 70"s.
We live in NJ, just north of the Line Barrens. Such an amazing place. Nice to hear of your memoires.
I have fond memories of growing up in North Jersey in the early 70's wouldn't trade those times with today. We had so much more freedom. Cops weren't the militaristic, shaved headed hardasses that they are today.
Same.
I can’t believe that the Pinelands covers so much of NJ. So much history. Really interesting.
Thanks, Julie! Love exploring down there!
Very interesting!! WOW REALLY!!
It never ever ceases to amaze me that so many people carry cans of spray paint with them. I thought food and water was a downer, sheez.
To Pa hyker: boy are you right about spray paint! See my comments to Pastor Randy about graffiti.
Yes, such a shame!
Hey brother Randy! Looks like we have a lot in common. I live in the pinelands and my wife and I kayak and hike to all these ruins. We also have traveled to most of the national parks, but most of all, we love God's creation. I always look forward to your great videos and the holy Spirit emanates from you. I love the way you also bring in the spiritual importance of raising your kids in the ways of the Lord. God bless you my friend.
Super-cool, Chris! Really enjoyed reading that!
So interesting, I never realized all that is in our home state!
NJ's best secret!
Perfect representation of the day, takes me right back there. Well done, sir! Thanks for having me along!
"Resident Pinelands Expert" Great memories!
Very interesting tour of old factories in the Pinelands. I've only been to Pinelands twice but really enjoyed my drives and short walks there. I remember the tannin colored water of a river (Basto River?) I walked along due to decaying pines. The graffiti reminded me of a place in the Poconos. It's in the Delaware State forest on the site of an abandoned boy scout camp; it has a beautiful lake called Stone Hill lake. Thank goodness it was deeded over to State forest land & not developed. Thanks for another great visit to a nat'l park site!
Thanks, Bob! Yes those rivers with the "root beer" water. Heard the coloration is produced from the cedar trees.Enjoy your weekend!
Addition to previous comment: the body of water is called Rock Hill Pond, not Stone Hill Lake...my bad!
Here in England,where I live now, we have streams with brown water with tannins in it caused by the thick layers of peat on the high moorland. I would guess that the tannins in the watercourses in The Pinelands is caused by BOTH the pine needles decaying,& the peat 'soil' in the bogs there.....Where grew up,in Centre County,Pennsylvania,we have a state park called Black Moshannon..about 2000ft in altitude up on the mountain(well actually it's technically the Allegheny Plateau) There are peat bogs in the park,& lots of pine trees,and the lake there,used for swimming,kayaking,& ice skating,has 'black' water...hence the state park's name. Beautiful area! 😍😍 Good blueberry picking up there in the mid to late Summer,too! 🫐🫐😋😋
I've been to New Jersey dozens of times ... but never heard of the Pinelands. 😕 Embarrassing as it covers such a large portion of the State.
Love the history lessons. Amazing to think that there were once bustling communities in some of these areas. Always marvel over the strength of stone arches. They'll probably survive another 100 years.
Thank you again for taking us along! Stay safe and well 😷✌️
Thanks, Christine! Yeah, the Pinelands are shrouded in so much mystery! Hope you have a super weekend!
Very amazing and interesting! I really enjoy the history at the different sites you went to, especially the glass factory at the end. Thank you for sharing more of these adventures!
Really appreciate that, Mark! Always amazing for me to think of what was once there.
There's also a very old cemetery not far from the glass plant. The railroad that goes right by there was closed in 1933. They went bankrupt.
I’m doing a historical analysis essay on the Lost and forgotten towns and industries of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. It’s so dang interesting.
Right on! We live near this area. So many in the state have no clue about the interior of the Pinelands. Fascinating stuff... all the best with your project!
There were a series of books written in the early '70's about the ghost towns of NJ. There were several volumes! There were that many towns back up in there at one time!
It's amazing how many cool places like that could be in our own backyard but never know it. Lots of awesome history. I had to unsubscribe and re-subscribe UA-cam wasn't sending me notifications when you uploaded so hopefully that fixed it.
Thanks, brother! Great to have you along!
you sure packed it all in here lots of cool stuff to see and wow that is a Big park unit! amazing how much industry was out there and left abandoned
We might now have the cool mines that I love out west, but these places, really close to our home tell so many fascinating stories! Enjoy your weekend!
It's amazing how much arches can support - and then interesting to see how long they last compared with everything else! Makes me think of the roman aqueduct systems. Cool history and a great way to explore your home state!
Incredible to think this section of land takes up some 25% of the (very populated) state and people don't know what's in there! Enjoy your weekend, Josh!
Just as I was thinking "Wow, so amazing to see the remains of a once vibrant town"....you said basically the same thought. Cool place. Sad to see the graffiti in the beginning. My 6yr old daughter has a classmate that loves old abandoned towns so I'll have to share this with his folks :) Glad to see you are still able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Continued love to you and your family :)
Thanks so much, Jymn! Hope you and the family have a blessed weekend!
Awesome video
Thanks For Sharing
God Bless
Thank you. Great informative video. Better moreover because you included your son. Happy fathers day
Much appreciated Gary! :)
Very cool! I always find history so fascinating.
So true! Thanks for watching!
I really enjoyed seeing the history of these sites! Thanks so much for sharing.
The USA is pretty high on my list of destinations to visit after my time here in Australia. I'll definitely head to your older videos for some guides in the future :)
Thank you and happy to hear you find the videos helpful! Hope you can make it out to the States!
Intersting! I've only driven through the Pine Barrens en route to Seaside Heights & back thru Philly & on to Centre County,l PA,where I grew up! Always wondered what it's like to explore the area,but never had time,as it's a long drive to get down the shore to enjoy the beach & ocean,then drive home. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️
Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, huge section of land in the middle of NJ that most people just drive through or around. Some cool history hidden away in there!
@@AmericasParks definitely!
Well Randy as you know by now, I consider myself quite a traveler and my sister lived in NJ for awhile and yet I was completely ignorant as to this area. Thanks for educating us once again! Blessings for Indiana.
So true for most local NJ residents, Jonathan! Especially incredible when you consider the sheer size of this place!
My grand mother & I used to take day trips from Surf City. We "found" Harrisville in about 1963-4. Loved the seclusion.
Really cool... so few folks from NJ know anything about these amazing places!
I'm originally from new jersey. Thank you for posting this I will subscribe. 😀
Appreciate that!
WOW REALLY AWESOME I BASICALLY KNOW ABOUT MOST HAUNTED PLACES UNBELIEVABLE AMAZING EXPERIENCE BRAVO 🎶 👏 I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS WEEK THANKS LORETTA FROM JERSEY CITY HEIGHTS AWESOME
Always honored to have a fellow Jerseyan on the channel! Happy 2023!
Incredible! What an major search you had to find the old Town!! Such a huge beautiful place.
Thanks! Nice to hit some of these places so close to home.
@@AmericasParks yes, definitely!!
Randy, This is a very interesting tour you provided on this not-so-well known site. The pines in your video are beautiful. Love seeing Shane explore and find something to show you! THANK YOU FOR SHARING, . . . Mike
Loved this trip... some simple exploration near our home (that even people in NJ are not aware of!).
This is really interesting. Never thought that there are places like that in New Jersey. Great history. Thanks for this tour. :)
Thank you! Most people in NJ have no idea about these places and the history either! :) Enjoy your weekend!
Excellent video. Thanks for the interesting narrative.
Really glad you enjoyed the video!
20+ years ago when I took my first pictures there, Brooksbrae had ZERO graffiti. 3:35 "they burned the whole place down". No, it was a forest fire. It had been closed by then and was in use by a Boy Scout troupe, if memory serves. Then the forest fire hit. Weymouth had two paper mills. The second set of ruins behind the fence is from the other paper mill. One mill was called Weymouth and the other called Atlantic. Good video. You covered a lot. Thanks.
Appreciate the historical insights and kind words! Such special places in NJ history!
@@AmericasParks Absolutely.
Yeah it definitely looks like a big huge area with lots to explore. Thanks for sharing Randy.
Thanks, Eric! Provably the closest NP to our home - and one very few people even know about.
So awesome, 1/4 of the entire state!!! Wow! As always very well done. The iron forge and the glass works very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate that! Hope your family is doing well and enjoying the summer!
@@AmericasParks We are slowly getting back having adventures. Thanks so much for asking.
Amazing ! Thank you guys.
Thanks for the kind words!
Wow... !!! It's always great. I wish you every day of your development. Have a happy day!
Thank you very much!
I've been fascinated by the pine barrens ever since reading John McPhee's book as a teenager. I'm glad to see the place remains mostly intact since he wrote it in the late 1960s and it hasn't been developed much or its pristine aquifer polluted.
Right on! Such a unique and mysterious area... right in the center of the most densely populated state!
Also, Weymouth is also a treat to see, as I'm quite familiar with it too.:3
The Pinelands... so special, but ignored by most.
The cranberry what? Everything is so amazing
"bog" - funny name but what the cranberry fields are called. Thanks!
So awesome to see you getting around Randy and exploring where you can.Nice clip and some really interesting history. Im going to try and do an overnight next week since I will have 2 days off for the 1st time since returning to work. Shooting for Giant Sequioa Nat'l Monument if it all goes well. Praying that your plans for this summer with Shane work out. How cool it will be for him to be able to go on a trip like that with just Dad. Memories to be made!
Thanks, Robert! Yes, Lord willing it will be our first trip together. Hope you have a nice time up at GS. Did the north unit, still need the see the s. unit. Be safe!
Cool! I’m hoping to go canoeing in the Pinelands later this summer on the Great Egg Harbor River.
Have you thought about going to any of the National Park Sites in NYC once the pandemic has calmed down? Castle Clinton, Stonewall, African Burial Ground, Governors Island, Grants Tomb, Hamilton Grange, and of course the Statue of Liberty? Could be a great future video.
Wonderful, Daniel! We live on the Jersey Shore. Yes, check out my NJ and NY playlists as I have many of these places documented - especially kayaking on the GEH River and climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy your trips and thanks for the comment!
Great Video as usual. I always love exploring the ruins of old buildings and towns!
Thanks so much! Neat to explore that hidden history!
Still waiting for the lake mead video. Have a blessed day my brother!
Hey Randy, just returned! Not sure when I'll het it up, but that Vegas heat was brutal. We tried to walk the RR trail the day we arrived and didn't even make it to the first tunnel! Still a great time out west!
Americas Parks yes ur right it’s hot 🥵 right now. I’m glad u made it on the first tunnel and saw the lake mead view. Excited to see the video Brother Randy and God bless.
Where I live......except for deer flies; paradise
Ongs Hat 😂 the World's first ARG game, people flock to find the Portal / Egg to other dimensions.
Only in NJ. Thanks for watching.
nice park.. i like all the park you showed on your channel
Thank you very much!
Near where I grew up in South Jersey was a man made lake because there had been an old brick factory. The only thing left of it is the lake and a bunch of old bricks strewn about the place
There is really some cool stuff in the Pinelands - much of it most people in the state know nothing about. We live in NJ too and have really enjoyed exploring some of these fascinating places. Take care!
Noice. Especially glad to see Estell Manor.:)
Excellent... nice to see some love for the Garden State!
That was cool.
Thanks much!
Great history lesson.
Thanks, Dean! Hope you guys are off to a great summer, my friend!
Check out amatol in Hammonton...think you will enjoy it..great video!!
Thanks, Kenneth! Yes, Amatol was great! Went there about 4 years ago. Vid if interested: ua-cam.com/video/7Alsuwxd6gw/v-deo.html
I ride the pines all the time, nothing like it
Right on! One of NJ best secrets. Great to video in my "backyard."
It is fascinating that the general public has no idea of the long interesting history of their home state. Take some time to research and it will make you want to research more and actually visit some of the places and places no longer there. Every state has interesting little known history.
Great words, Karen!
What comes to mind in New
Jersey Pine lands? I would have to say definitely the New Jersey Devil & Deer hunting that my whole family goes hunting at.. I love animals so I definitely won't take part in hunting, but they're hardcore hunters..
Good thoughts! I love the Pinelands!
I live in South Jersey in Camden County.. Where's this picture taken at in NJ? It probably says it in the video, but as soon as I seen it I had to comment.. Lol
Hi Kim, nice to have fellow NJ residents join us on the channel! here you go: www.atlantic-county.org/parks/estellville-glassworks.asp
Part or all of problem with the NJ iron works was the bog iron was poor quality.
I ride my bike a lot on Pasadena road and there are always explorers cars parked there.
Closer to home are the remains of a nudist colony. Kids vandalized the whirlpool bath :(
Appreciate the feedback, Raymond! Always nice to visit one of the sites close to home. Fascinating history.
Man people really trashed that brick factory, late 90's it did nor look anything like that. The tunnels are pretty cool tho some are collapsed so be careful.
First time out there, but a shame to hear how the site has been abused. So much cool stuff in the mysterious Pinelands. Thanks for the comment!
Great hat on your son. GO CUBS!
Right on! Lived the bulk of my life in the Chicago suburbs. Always a Cubbies fan!
What about BATSTOW and all the areas around there ...
Yes, Batsto is another great site... but for this video we tried to limit it only to the undeveloped/"hidden" locations.
Have you ran into 'him' yet. If you do, give me a yell
Thanks for joining us, Gary!
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The Pinelands are indeed a bizarre place!
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How about if you update the video and do a 2024 pine barrens video thank you
Actually, we're moving to Michigan soon, but would love one more trip to the amazing Pinelands! Thanks for the suggestion!
@@AmericasParks I used to live in spotswood in the 70s. As a drunken teenager, I was allowed to party with my brother and his friends because I had the fake ID that bought the beer.
One place we tried to go to with our substitute high School teachers was a place called crematory hell. Supposedly there's three hills. The first hill is an abandoned car, second Hill is an abandoned house, and the third Hill is the abandoned crematorium. I guess only cool people like the Hell's Angels or the Mongols get to party in a place like that. We couldn't get back there. There was tree limbs blocking the way
YOUR MISSION IS TO FIND CREMATORY HELL AND VISIT THERE AND MAKE A VIDEO. It's somewhere in central New Jersey not that far from spotswood. Thank you for great videos of New Jersey.
@@revivaljim7969 What a story! Made of note of your remarks and will keep this one in mind! Take care!
Only reason i know this area of NJ is the Sopranos
Is it right that you are in the land?
Always seek to follow the rules...
I only know about this park is from you hahahahah
Yes, it's funny because many people in this area don't even know about it!
people did all kinds of things in the pine barrens before they discovered that wild fires is a regular part of that ecosystem
Such a unique place near our home in NJ. So mysterious, beautiful and unexplored!
I really enjoyed this video. Keep up the good work. It is a shame, however, that punks with spray paint feel that they have to deface everything.
Thanks, Mickey! So fascinated by this stuff not too far from our home. Interestingly, most in NJ don't even know it exists.
such a shame that people had to deface it with all the grafiti
So true, Marie.
You should see the trash everywhere from people.
No Sims Place :(
Not aware of that one. Thanks for watching,
Homeless people
Personally not aware of any in these locations. Thanks for watching.
Bigfoot walling in the background