A bit about Cheesequake

Paul and I were chatting the other evening, discussing plans and doing some dreaming. We agree as we travel to a new area we'd like to do a bit of research, finding out a little history about the town and perhaps an oddity or two about it. It's something we will be posted here in our blog as well as any touristy type places we visit. So we decided to get a head start on it and write about different areas here, as well as places we go and what we find there. Shall we begin...

We live in a rather quirky corner of the world, fitting since it is us who live here. The area is called Cheesequake, NJ which is a section of Old Bridge Township, which is in Middlesex County. Our mailing address is Matawan, which is in Monmouth County. Are you shaking your head yet, I do regularly. No, it doesn't make any sense to me either. 

There several different camps as to where the name Cheesequake comes from. All agree it is from the Lenape Indian language but differ in original meaning. The Lenni-Lenape, which means "Original People" or "Common People." inhabited this region for more than 6,000 years. Some say Cheesequake derived from chickhake, meaning 'land that has been cleared.'" or "Cheseh-oh-ke", meaning "upland", and yet others claim Cheesequake is named after a sub tribe/band of the Lenni Lenape called Chichequaas.

Cheesequake doesn't have a centralized town area but it does have a great Fire Station and First Aid Station. 

The largest portion of Cheesequake belongs to one of my favorite places: Cheesequake State Park. The park is on 1,610-acre and one of the oldest in the country, opening on June 22, 1940. Open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, Pine Barrens, and a northeastern hardwood forest are the main characteristics of the park. It is has a great nature center, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, and several playgrounds. In the winter months, if enough snow, one can find sledding, crosscountry sking, or snowshoeing. The varied environment is home to many different birds and animals: Deer, raccoons, fox, as well as Great Horned Owls, Osprey, several species of woodpeckers and so much more. In recent years has even become home to a pair of Bald Eagles. Paul and I have spent many an hour hiking, swimming, camping, and enjoying this special place. I love taking early morning walks there.

Foggy Morning Walk into the park