Skylands. This area was home to the Lenape tribes, long before the first Europe- ans came along, but when Dutch and oth- ers did settle, they followed along native foot trails that became tiny paths and even- tually developed into many of the county roads that you find here today. In fact one road, Old Mine, is reputed to be one of the oldest in America. Heading south I let the S 1000
XR lope around at an easy pace as this machine, beast that it can be, makes an excellent companion for exploring, and there was no need to go Jedi when all I was looking for was a nice afternoon putt around the region. Although I kept switch- ing around the three modes that control the bike, I found “Road” to be just fine. Heading down CR 521 and then
through the sleepy town of Stillwa- ter, I crossed over the Paulinskill, which runs south from the ridges and empties into the river some miles away. I then headed up and over the hills, passing through a region that still has avoided the McMansion trend and has stayed close to its horse and farm roots. Along the road to the left, I passed by the Snowmobile Barn, a must- see for snow machine enthusiasts and a place full of old time Ameri- cana as well. Looping back west and through
some of the tinier roads that are just used by locals, I was impressed once again with the S 1000 XR’s nimbleness and handling. The upright, almost GS ergonomics lends themselves to a very comfort- able and maneuverable ride. I crossed over the Paulinskill again on Stone Bridge Road, which, not surprisingly, has a very nice stone bridge along its way. From there I moved along towards the
XR’s suspension ate up that bumpy spot with ease. Before I mentioned that a big part of this
region is as pristine as it is because of the Vietnam War. Well, that is the truth. In August of 1955, Hurricanes Connie and Diane crushed this area. The rivers and streams overflowed their banks, and nearly 100 people were swept away and drowned
for centuries. People settled for buyouts and eminent domain ruled the region. Tensions ran high, people left, others
squatted, and homes were razed, native and European settler history lost forever. And, just when it looked like it would turn really ugly, the United States got involved in Southeast Asia. With a war developing in Vietnam, the Tocks Island Dam Project was shelved and eventually aban- doned. What that left is a stunning valley closed in by the Kittatinny Ridge, one of the highest waterfalls in the northeast (Buttermilk Falls), one of the oldest pristine old growth rifts (Tillmans Ravine), and miles of superb motorcycling roads. You’ll even find a ghost town. The historic Old Mine Road runs
right though here. At a length of 104 miles, it stretches from the Del- aware Water Gap to the vicinity of Kingston, New York, and is said to be one of the oldest roads in con- tinuous use in the country. Up north in New York State, it is a modern thoroughfare; here along the western edge of New Jersey, it is far more rustic. I followed Old Mine Road up
Old Mine Road is reputed to be one of the oldest in America.
Walpack Valley. This place is truly a step back in time, as it has very little in the way of development and has recently been taken over by the National Park Service— which could be good or bad. As of now, it is a good thing, as the Feds have invested some needed money in the area, and the roads, except for one short very rough stretch, are being better maintained. The
at a campsite at Broadhead Creek, across the river on the Pennsylvania side. The Army Corps of Engineers sought to con- struct a series of dams and reservoirs along the Delaware, with one dam at the south- ern tip of Tocks Island. The proposed Tocks Island Dam would
have created a lake-sized reservoir roughly 40 miles long and a mile wide. Before con- struction began, some 600 families and property owners whose land would be flooded were told to move. Some of these families had lived on and worked the land
along the river, passing Dingmans Bridge, one of the few privately owned bridges in the country, and then toward the border with New York. Along the way I rode by farms, forest, graveyards and his- torical sites. A large bear rambled across the road, allowing me to give the XR’s brakes a thorough testing. This part of Jersey certainly has its flavor. Right about then my fuel light lit
up, and I knew my route would take me close to Port Jervis, New York, and its plethora of gas stations just off Interstate 84. If you stay on the New Jersey side of the line here the fuel is a bunch cheaper, so I did just that and with enough gas for a cou- ple of these jaunts, I headed up toward the highest point in New Jersey, aptly named High Point State Park. This Saturday the crowds were almost
non-existent except for the local Corvette Club doing, more or less, what I was doing on the bike. Here at the highest elevation in
December 2015 BMW OWNERS NEWS 79
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