For New Years Day yesterday I took it easy! Worked two jobs New Years Eve (9-4 then 4:30 pm until 1:30 am) BUT hikers in
Blairstown did anything but relax - read more here
(Courtesy of njherald.com)

Posted:

Jan 01, 2013 11:16 PM EST

Updated:

Jan 01, 2013 11:29 PM EST

Photo by Lauren Scrudato/New Jersey Herald Josh Dubnick, left, of Hopatcong, and Andrew Cohen, of Hackettstown, have a chat as they walk side by side along the Paulinskill River Tuesday morning at Footbridge Park in Blairstown.Photo by Lauren Scrudato/New Jersey Herald Josh Dubnick, left, of Hopatcong, and Andrew Cohen, of Hackettstown, have a chat as they walk side by side along the Paulinskill River Tuesday morning at Footbridge Park in Blairstown.
 
BLAIRSTOWN -- Len Frank, 88, has been hiking on New Year's Day since  the 1970s, yet he can't think of a time when the snow along the trail  has ever been so deep. An enthusiastic hodgepodge of more than 35 nature-lovers, including veteran hikers, first-timers, children, and even an energetic dog, gathered at Footbridge Park in Blairstown Tuesday morning -- all determined to start the new year off on the right foot -- for a hike along the Paulinskill Valley Trail. The hike, lead by the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee, or PVTC, was a part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative, which involves more than 640 hikes in all 50 states, offering individuals and families an opportunity to connect with the outdoors at a state park close to home. The New Jersey State Park Service conducted guided hikes, along with other outdoor activities, at 10 locations on New Year's Day, including Blairstown.

Frank, one of the key founders of the PVTC, joined hikers ranging in age from elementary school children to retired folks for the 28th annual New Year's Day hike.