Comments - THE GIANT STAIRS/PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK, NJ & NY- 4/14/12 - NJ Hiking: Connect2024-03-29T11:27:33Zhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=4079177%3ABlogPost%3A30664&xn_auth=noDelete Comment
It's so ironic…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-04-18:4079177:Comment:306682012-04-18T15:24:28.087ZLinda Frankhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/LindaFrank
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<div class="xg_user_generated"><p>It's so ironic, Dawn. This is the second time in almost as many weeks that the NY/NJ Trail Conference has highlighted trails we did. Before The Stairs it was Totts Gap - Wolf Rocks. I only noted they selected The Stairs this time after we hiked there. Didn't know it was mentioned before we went. Gee, and here I egotistically/presumptuously thought someone was leaking…</p>
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<div class="xg_user_generated"><p>It's so ironic, Dawn. This is the second time in almost as many weeks that the NY/NJ Trail Conference has highlighted trails we did. Before The Stairs it was Totts Gap - Wolf Rocks. I only noted they selected The Stairs this time after we hiked there. Didn't know it was mentioned before we went. Gee, and here I egotistically/presumptuously thought someone was leaking info to them like: <i>"Oh, The Franks did such and such trail this week...better highlight it next". </i>Don't buy that, eh? Blaaahaaaa!</p>
<p> Daniela....ummm....so now I'm typing through tears. If DH reads this, well, suffice to say I'll have to console him, too. We are both just huge piles of blubbery stuff when it comes to animals. Not that you need my affirmation, but I also think your tough love tactics w/Shawnee was super right. It has paid off - and obviously continues to pay off - for both of you. Her especially. And, "Yes", I can see that <em>"Hey, whut's the big woof, Mom?" </em>-look in her eyes and that tail wag each time after she's climbed on ahead of you. </p>
<p>Linda </p>
</div> Oh gosh Linda, if that made y…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-04-18:4079177:Comment:306672012-04-18T14:55:12.968ZDaniela Wagstaffhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/DanielaWagstaff
<p>Oh gosh Linda, if that made you and DH tear up, good thing you two didn't see her in the Newark shelter curled up in the corner in fetal position, shaking violently, almost 11 years ago. She had no socialization at all and was terrified of everything, even me. So her whole life has been a series of tough love tactics and not letting her get away with saying "I'm scared and I'm not doing it." It is what has made her the outgoing dog she is today. Just imagine that there was a time when I…</p>
<p>Oh gosh Linda, if that made you and DH tear up, good thing you two didn't see her in the Newark shelter curled up in the corner in fetal position, shaking violently, almost 11 years ago. She had no socialization at all and was terrified of everything, even me. So her whole life has been a series of tough love tactics and not letting her get away with saying "I'm scared and I'm not doing it." It is what has made her the outgoing dog she is today. Just imagine that there was a time when I could not get her beyond the end of my driveway and now she hikes anywhere and everywhere. What you don't see is after she accomplishes something she was afraid of, that tail wags a mile a minute like "Lookie what I just did!" And of course tons of hugs and kisses go along with that. So I am not fooled any more, LOL! But seriously, I researched and debated a very long time before taking her on the Giant Stairs and almost didn't do it. But then I figured what the heck, I could always turn back if need be. Problem is, and I am sure you saw this, once you get going, you had may as well keep going because turning back is just as bad!</p> I believe the Giant Stairs wa…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-04-18:4079177:Comment:307522012-04-18T14:39:15.991ZnjHiking.comhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/NJHiking
<p>I believe the Giant Stairs was the Trail Conference's "hike of the week" last week - so that may have added some traffic to the hike, coupled with a really nice spring day.</p>
<p>Dawn</p>
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<p>I believe the Giant Stairs was the Trail Conference's "hike of the week" last week - so that may have added some traffic to the hike, coupled with a really nice spring day.</p>
<p>Dawn</p>
<p></p> On Daniela, thanks again for…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-04-18:4079177:Comment:308392012-04-18T14:12:23.966ZLinda Frankhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/LindaFrank
<p>On Daniela, thanks again for another great lead & directions. </p>
<p>And Shawnee wasn't the only one whimpering, btw. On Sunday, we watched your video of her maneuvering the stairs and climbing the 'real' stairs at the Women's Federation Monument. We both began to tear up along with her just watching her! DH said she deserves a big hug & congrats on being such a brave girl. I agree. Oh...and you do, too! :)</p>
<p> Here's another pic at the 'base' of The Stairs:…</p>
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<p>On Daniela, thanks again for another great lead & directions. </p>
<p>And Shawnee wasn't the only one whimpering, btw. On Sunday, we watched your video of her maneuvering the stairs and climbing the 'real' stairs at the Women's Federation Monument. We both began to tear up along with her just watching her! DH said she deserves a big hug & congrats on being such a brave girl. I agree. Oh...and you do, too! :)</p>
<p> Here's another pic at the 'base' of The Stairs:</p>
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<p>This is the bank of mock orange near the cement bridge I mentioned. All our positioning around to get as much of the oranges as possible in the shot accidentally scared off two of the biggest bunnies I'd ever seen. I think one could have answered to the name "Harvey"!</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2174045084?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2174045084?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Linda</p>
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<p></p> I suppose I did not realize h…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-04-17:4079177:Comment:307442012-04-17T17:20:01.221ZDaniela Wagstaffhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/DanielaWagstaff
<p>I suppose I did not realize how lucky I was when I did that hike last year. There were still a few random patches of snow around (and the rattlesnakes were still asleep, but no flowers blooming yet) so I did not have to deal with the masses of irresponsible people out for a stroll on a nice day, just a few pleasant serious hikers. The Giant Stairs were especially difficult to navigate with a dog who had to put four legs in positions they were not meant to be in (while shaking, poor thing)…</p>
<p>I suppose I did not realize how lucky I was when I did that hike last year. There were still a few random patches of snow around (and the rattlesnakes were still asleep, but no flowers blooming yet) so I did not have to deal with the masses of irresponsible people out for a stroll on a nice day, just a few pleasant serious hikers. The Giant Stairs were especially difficult to navigate with a dog who had to put four legs in positions they were not meant to be in (while shaking, poor thing) and she was not off her leash for even one second because no way was I going to risk her falling. So for someone to let their children run amok on those boulders, I just can't wrap my mind around that.</p>