On the way back to Bergen County, or on your way to the Poconos, there is a NJ rest stop, the only pit stop on Route 80 West that offers great views, beautiful picnic areas, vending machine food if you need it. There’s also a dog run, and lovely fields and shady groves that are perfect for playing Frisbee, having a picnic, or just relaxing with a book or a pair of binoculars. It’s a great place to change diapers and let the kids blow off some steam before you make the final leg of your journey. You can clean out the car, get organized, relax, have a soda, and then head home in the sunset.

The rest stop is also a lovely garden with all sorts of specimen plants that are ever-changing, all done by Sue Meyers and her staff, who really get down on their hands and knees to make what would normally be a hell hole into a place of peace and quiet, fun and frolic. There is a glorious wisteria nook, perfect for reading a book… but pictures are worth a thousand words, and they speak for themselves.