Meet Christine from New Jersey

Meet Christine from New Jersey. Christine grew up in Ogdensburg, NJ, where she later raised her beautiful children. There is something especially unique about Christine’s gorgeous home. It is actually built right over the historic Ogdensburg zinc mines! The mine itself closed in the 1980s, but later reopened to the public as the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. Christine laughed while telling us that as a rowdy teenager, she and her friends used to hop the fence and explore the abandoned mines. What started as teenage curiosity quickly turned into a lifelong fascination. Those early adventures helped spark her love for geology and eventually inspired her to travel all over the world to experience the beauty of nature.

Christine’s visit today came thanks to a recommendation from a dear friend. As a passionate geology enthusiast, she spends much of her time exploring places connected to her interest. She finally had the opportunity to make the trip here. She loved it so much, she’s already planning to convince her daughter to come back with her to take the Signature Rock Tour!

One part of the cave that really stood out to Christine was Winding Way. It reminded her of Annie’s Canyon in San Diego, another incredible natural passage carved by water over millions of years. She absolutely loved seeing the similarities. When asked why someone should visit, Christine had a great answer. She said, “I would recommend it more than once actually! With the range of tours you offer and the motel, you could easily make a few days out of it. On top of that, your gift shop is awesome and the surrounding town is beautiful.”

These days. Christine spends her time doing exactly what she loves, exploring and traveling. With her children now grown, she jokes that she’s an empty nester, so staying active and adventurous keeps life exciting. She enjoys hiking frequently and has even gone searching for gold nuggets out west, although, she admits she wasn’t lucky enough to find any!

Professionally, Christine works as a surgical technician, a career that allows her the flexibility to continue traveling and experiencing the incredible natural sights she loves.

Something that makes Christine’s story even more inspiring is the strength she has shown in her life. She shared with Zoe that she experienced homelessness for a few years, but with determination and the support of a strong community, she was able to rebuild her life. Today she travels the country, constantly seeking new places to explore, while also working in a lab helping others every day. Thank you so much for visiting and sharing your story with us, Christine