Mike and I needed a getaway so we made an impromptu drive through PA and into NJ to nab my 34th highpoint. We woke up dark and early on Sunday morning and were on the road by 5:00 AM. We wiggled our way through PA and made it to High Point, NJ in just under 6 hours.

Since our visit was after Labor Day there was no park entrance fee. We were happy to see that the tower was open so we each paid $1 and began the 220' stair climb. The tower is dank and moist. There is really nothing glorious about it; however, we probably would have enjoyed our ascent better had we not shared it with a group of loud and obnoxious 13 year old boys - and here we thought girls were the dramatic ones.

After returning to the base Mike scoured the area rocks for the USGS benchmark (which he found!) while I read the information inside the base of the tower. The weather was crisp, cool, clear, and windy windy windy! Nevertheless, I was pleased to have highpoint #34 in the bag.

After departing NJ we haded for NY's Mt. Beacon, in Beacon, NY, right along where I-84 crosses the Hudson River. Mike visited this site as a boy and wanted to return as an adult. Here are some pictures from our hike up Mt. Beacon. Of particular significance (for me) is that from the summit of Mt. Beacon, on a really clear day (like this one), you can see the tower some 60 miles to the West at High Point, NJ!