The Worst Oil Spill Disaster

Depending on the source, between 200,000 and 1,050,000 gallons a day are currently leaking into the Gulf Coast and 400 to 600 wildlife species are at risk. The April 20 explosion at a BP exploratory drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, 120 miles south of New Orleans, killed 11 workers and initiated what will become the worst oil spill disaster in U.S. history.

Oil is highly toxic to marine and coastal environments and its impacts on wildlife can persist for decades, said WWF officials, noting that oil can still be found from the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. Unless the well is capped soon, the gulf spill is set to surpass the Exxon Valdez quantity of oil early this week.

We must stop new offshore oil drilling now. Here you can see more pictures of this disaster and if you are ready to help please visit www.takepart.com. Take action and sign the petition from the League of Conservation Voters, and please spread the word.

Geocaching without GPS

Last week I visited the Hilltop Reservation with my family. This wonderful nature preserve has over 200 acres and is located in Cedar Grove, North Caldwell and Verona. Use the address “125 Fairview Avenue, Cedar Grove” to get driving directions on-line. The reservation entrance is across the street from the old Essex County Hospital Center. The Hilltop Conservancy is the local group dedicated to the preservation of this area.

While hiking the wildlife refuge we came upon a box near the trail. First we thought that it belonged to hunters. But quickly we realized that this camouflaged waterproofed Tupperware was safe, it has the sign “No Danger-Geocach” on it. So we opened it and called the kids to have a closer inspection together. We found little toys such as a working Donald Duck yoyo from 1966 and laminated pictures of the area taken 30 or 40 years ago (where you could see the Essex Mountain Sanatorium, originally constructed in the early 1900s). There was also a logbook, a pen and instructions to play the Geocaching game:

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.

My kids immediately became fans of this game and are looking forward to find more boxes at Verona Park, Eagle Rock and Hilltop Reservation. The rules are: look for the cache locations at www.geocaching.com, and if you find one take something from it, leave something of equal or greater value; write about your find in the cache logbook and log your experience on-line. And last but not least…enjoy the great outdoors!