“Lions and Tigers, and Bears! oh my!” – the famous line from The Wizard of Oz came to my mind as I sat down to record this blog. However, in my movie, it was about trout fishing, cherry blossom trees and runners in a 10K Run.
Hundreds of young anglers lined the lake bank of this shore community and anxiously awaited the official start of the Kids Trout Fishing Contest at Spring Lake, New Jersey. “Spring Lake” is named for the fountains of crystal clear water which emanates from a multitude of underground springs. Paths, shady nooks and rock gardens extend through the weeping willow lined shores of the lake and provide a peaceful spot for a quiet evening walk or fun-filled “kids fishing contest” day.
Portable tents housed the weigh-in station and the stand where free hot dogs were given out to the young contest participants. The weighmaster and contest scale was kept busy throughout the morning by trout caught by the young anglers.
Members of the Shark River Surf Anglers fishing club and other volunteers helped to organize and run this annual event. This event for kids is in it’s 18th year!
Supported by funds through generous donations the club was able to supplement the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife’s trout stocking program with additional trout from the Musky Trout Hatchery, Asbury, NJ. Many of these trout weighed in excess of 5 pounds were released into the lake the prior week with the help of many of the young anglers.
Events such as this one and others help to ensure that future generations of anglers will continue to enjoy the sport of fishing by spending time in the great outdoors with there families.
…so what about the “Cherry Blossoms and Runners”?
Who would have thought that in the densely populated Essex County of New Jersey that one could find a public park containing Cherry Blossoms trees which rival or quite possibly even surpass that of Washington DC.
The Essex County Park System boast the Branch Brook Park, which has over 360 acres including vast lawns, playing fields, winding paths and over 4,000 cherry trees. This would also be the site of the the Cherry Blossom 10K Run.
Two of our daughters and a good friend would be joining the thousands of other runners for this event. Proceeds from the race participants registration fees would go to help support Special Olympics. Our three runners and the other race participants picked up their registration packets, number and t-shirt from in front of the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center.
The Cherry Blossom 10K Run course winds its way through Branch Brook Parks cherry tree-lined roadways.
After the runners lined up at the Starting Line and a Blessing was given, the race started with a cannon shot of pink confetti “blossom petals” filling the air and the feet of the thousand or so runners pounding the park pavement.
I could not resist taking a photo of this runner who carried the American Flag throughout the entire race. I would have been happy just to finish. This patriot took it a step further – Make America Great Again!
And eventually “our runners” raced past the strategic location I had staked out 100 yards from the Finish Line.
Well, our trio seems happy now that they have finished the 10K Run and have their medals and bagels in hand and mouth. They might not be quite ready for the Boston Marathon yet, but they will sure be ready for their next adventure in the Discovery Outdoors!
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