lehigh gap nature center hike

Today we walked with the Center Valley Outing Group at Lehigh Gap. That's the park that used to be the old zinc mines. They are trying to bring it back to life. It looks better than what I remember, but it's going to take a long time to return to being a forest.

The email said "This is an easy hike along the river. Lehigh Gap Nature Center is an awesome place to go and explore the outdoors. The AT intersects there, but we will be on a relatively flat plain along the Lehigh River. This hike is a little over 4 miles." It was actually a little over 5. I think that had to be a typo.

The beginning was tough. Hills and rocks. Typical Pennsylvania trail. But then it leveled out. and became gravel and stone. Along this trail there were stones painted with odd sayings...Werewolf of London or onion rings. I think we counted about 12.

We also went past members of the EPA who were set to do a controlled burn this afternoon. Apparently the grass and trees were planted. They want to see if the soil is toxic yet. And whether enough time has past that the area will reseed itself.

We moved on to the three pond trail and heard the spring peepers, peeping. From the joyous noise, mating season was going extremely well. Finally we picked up the D&L for the final 2 miles. While on the D&L Lyd go a walking lesson using poles. She worked up quite a sweat.

Nowhere did I see the markers for the Wegman's Passport to Health walk. The woman at the counter was clueless too. Looks like we'll be going back.

When I arrived home we walked Adonis. Another half mile. Lydia isn't coming back till 5:30 or so, so I'll have another half mile latter this afternoon. Maybe I can go over 20K steps today.