a gem hiding under the susquehanna street bridge

Bonnie has lived in south Allentown for 35 years and was never in this park. In fact, she was clueless that it was there. Gotta love the park system. A sign would be helpful. (For those of you who know the area, this park is not Trout Creek Park that runs from the bridge to 8th street.)

Two weeks ago we saw the trail from the Susquehanna Street bridge. Today, we went to see where it goes. It meanders thru a lovely park with wide fields and a creek to about Auburn Street. There, there is a little parking lot, and a set of baby swings. (There was also a disgusting port-o-potty, but yesterday was the 4th of July.) The park reminded me of Cedar Beach in many ways. But it was only about a half mile long. It is much nicer than Trout Creek park. Bet it isn't used as hard because it is so hidden.

Below is some of the graffiti we found in the park.

 "I tried to drown my sorrows, but the little bastards learned how to swim—Frida" Clearly Frida wrote everything in the part. Except for these lovely words of wisdom. There was very little graffiti.

 "Art is what you make it."

 "Love the life you live. Live the life you love."

After leaving the park with no name, we headed down Auburn to the valley, and back up the hill to 7th Street to avoid the bridge traffic at 8th. It was, after all, the beginning of rush hour. That road ended and we headed over to eighth. Lucky for us it was pretty shady. Then we went down the hill to Trout Creek Park and back to the car. After a water break, Bonnie checked her watch and we had only gone two miles. What? We were soaked with sweat! (Top pix.) So returned to the found park, and did the trail...again. Total mileage—a hair over three.

I'm scheduled to do three more miles with Betsy at one.

Tomorrow, we'll be back on the D&L. Eight miles Saturday, six miles Sunday. Or vice versa. On the Tail on the Trail challenge Bonnie leads the pack at 120+ miles, Lydia at 88+ miles, and me at 78. Hopefully over the weekend I make up some time on the Walk Around the World. Haven't walked at lunch time. It's so hot, I'd need a shower when I came back!

Update 6 pm

Betsy and I didn't go at one. We are going at 7:30. Hopefully cashing in on the sun being lower and it getting dark. It won't help the humidity, but what can we do. I had wanted to go to First Friday to see the banana car, but oh well.  (Sharon had seen it once at Ahart's. They stopped for groceries.) Alas, my July 30 doctors appointment is looming and I have 5 pounds to lose before going. Not to mention a world to walk around, and a canal path to navigate.