MULLICA RIVER, NEW JERSEY

We always wanted to canoe in the Pine Barrens, and finally we strapped it on the Subaru and headed out to an area that had promise. The Mullica River looked enticing with its many bends and its remote location. It is so easy to go canoeing once it is on the car and we know where to go.  We found this river on a map and the canoe dock by accident.

Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens
Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens

We generally go pretty slow, and make very little distance, being that we are on the lookout for scenes of botanical interest. Author and photographer Brian Solomon, pictured above, was amused whenever we got excited about a plant we recognized along the shore. We steered the canoe towards the plants and took our time.   There were beaches along the river, and we stopped and walked around the land, looking at blueberry bushes and the blooming Swamp Azalea, Rhododendron viscosum.

Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens
Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens

This is the woodland scene near the parking lot, richly vegetated with understory blueberry.

Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens
Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens

Sandy beaches remind us of this land being an ocean beach in a fairly recent geological past.

Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens
Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens

Finding the blooming Swamp Azalea was memorable.  We have two in our garden and have never seen one in its natural habitat. The flowers filled the air with an enchanting aroma, and there was a frenzy of excitement over the discovery. The canoe was rowed towards the edge of the river to get a closer look.  We posed with the shrub. Above, Isabelle is posing with the blooming Rhododendron viscosum flowers above.

Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens
Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens

Rhododendron viscosum

Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens
Mullica River, New Jersey Pine Barrens
Mullica River, Pine Barrens, New Jersey
Mullica River, Pine Barrens, New Jersey

 

 

 

7 Replies to “MULLICA RIVER, NEW JERSEY”

  1. Joe, The Pine Barrens are Awesome! Your Photo Album on Google+ is great. I especially liked the scenes above the forest that show the horizon, where is that? We are going back!
    Sean

  2. Mark and Brian, we definitely want to go back and explore more of this intriguing habitat, full of wilderness. It is amazing how many square miles of pure nature there is in this area. Only a short drive from West Philadelphia on top of that!

  3. The Pine Barrens! Land of intrigue! Lots of Mother nature to discover in there. Is this a teaser for future posts about this exciting environment?

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