hellertown rail trail

Actually it's part of the Saucon rail trail, but this part is in Hellertown.

I parked at Water Street park, and noticed some signs for the Heller Homestead. Hmmm I thought. Always drive by, never stop. Maybe today.

When I arrived at the trail I noticed something had changed. The last time I walked it last fall it was large stones that hurt your feet and knees. Now it is a sandy gravel surface. Much nicer. However, I had on my Birks and the gravel kept getting in between my shoes and my feet! Ouch.

The Lower Saucon section is about 1.5 miles one-way. Then if you include the Upper Saucon section it's a total of about 5 miles one-way. When finished the Coopersburg section will be an additional mile and a half. When the Greenway connects it will be paradise.

I just did Lower Saucon.

At the first crossing I noticed old buildings. It was the Wagner Grist Mill. As I walked over I saw the little metal bridge. I went there first. It was the Walnut Street Pony Bridge from 1860. It's about the size of one house and straddles the creek. It's actually a little park with athletic fields and two algee covered ponds.

I returned to the trail and continued walking to the Upper Saucon section, turned around and came back. Then instead of going to the lot, I went to the Heller Homestead where I not only discovered cool buildings—2 house, a root cellar and barn ruins—but another two trails!

I'll have to explore those another day. The roomie called to find out what was taking me so long. She thinks I'm eight.

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Update— Mid-afternoon Lydia stopped by with the dog and wanted to walk. We took the dog for a half mile, brought him home, and then did another mile and a half. At the hottest part of a 95 degree day. Probably not smart.