Finding a Place for Solitude
By Tammy Thornton
Sometimes you just need a quiet place to be alone—alone with nature, alone with your thoughts, alone with God. Fortunately, we live in an area with endless miles of beach. We can peer far across the water and lose ourselves in our thoughts. This time of year, when our fair-weathered visitors have left us for the season, we have a better chance of finding a quiet space of our own.
But South Jersey offers many options for the coveted solitude our souls sometimes crave. We love our families, but to love them best, it’s occasionally necessary to take a little break in the fresh air.
One Hidden Gem of solitude waits in Northfield just off of the causeway leading to Margate. Richard and Debbie Levitt created a “Backyard Habitat” overlooking the bay as a place for bird-watching and turtle nesting. The Levitts planted masses of wildflowers to attract butterflies and other pollinators. Visitors can birdwatch or ponder life from the “turtle bench” carved by a talented neighbor. Of course, you don’t need to come to the park alone. Debbie Levitt often sees workers enjoying their lunch break together at the peaceful backyard habitat.
While Birch Grove Park hosts baseball games, fishing tournaments, and fall hayrides, just beyond the playground you can take one of the many paths through the woods and get reacquainted with nature. Once you have enjoyed your own quiet time, come back with a friend or the kids for a fun nature hike. On your way out, be sure to check out the on-site museum and historical house.
Want to get in touch with your Zen side? Wander through the Zen Garden Walk behind Presbyterian Church on Ocean Heights Avenue in Egg Harbor Township. You can walk the peaceful pathways or take a quiet moment sitting on one of the many benches in the garden.
Jeffers Landing Marina in Egg Harbor Township offers stunning views of the sunset. Photographer Theresa Law often captures them in her pictures and said that Jeffers Landing is “peaceful and quiet, and in the winter when the bay freezes over and the rainbow colors of the sun shine on the ice, it is gorgeous.”
The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, spanning two counties, provides plenty of places for fresh air. But you won’t exactly be alone. The refuge is located in one of the Atlantic Flyway’s most active flight paths. Three hundred fifty-nine species of birds have been observed on the refuge, which protects over 47,000 acres of Southern New Jersey coastal habitats and wetlands.
Our quest for nature and solitude may take us a little further from home, but some places are worth the drive. Estelle Manor Park is located 3.5 miles south of Mays Landing and boasts about 1,700 acres of land and offers trails for walking, jogging, or biking. Batsto Village is located within Wharton State Forest and is listed on the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can experience the historic sawmill, Batsto Mansion, and gristmill. One can take a pleasant five-mile walk on the trails, but lately, my husband has been enjoying a 13-mile hike through the forest.
Whether you wander near or far, our alone time should never be permanent. We were created to have companions and relationships. But moments to gather our thoughts refresh and energize us to make the most of our time with family and friends.
Tammy Thornton is a mom of four, a substitute teacher, and a Sunday school teacher. She is passionate about gardening and cooking, and loves the beach.
