testing the easton volkssport walk.

Today Bonnie, Angel,the tween and I walked the Easton Volkssport walk I planned earlier in the week. (See post below.) I think about 90% of it stayed the same. We changed a few things in the middle and at the end. No bathrooms on the route may be a serious problem.

For a successful Volkssport walk you need to have a wide variety of things to look at. Places to eat are a bonus!

Ours has:
Nature (woods and water)
Art (6 or, was it 8 murals, AND sculpture)
History
Interpretive signs
Architecture and bridges
Museums
... even a cannon. A whimpy one but its a cannon.

If we've done our jobs correctly, the Easton walk will start and end at the Easton trailhead of the Delaware Canal State Park. (aka Forks of the Delaware) There are port-o-potties (P-2.5), and picnic tables. No shelters, but Bonnie said she could bring a picnic tent if one was needed. I bet it gets really sunny there, even in April. There are no bathrooms on the route once you leave town.

It leaves the park, and runs along the canal, then turns the corner twice and runs along the Lehigh. Crosses the bridge into Phillipsburg, and runs along the Delaware, then comes back on the toll bridge. Goes thru a beautiful neighborhood on Spring Garden and Third streets, with some old mansions, and to the in-town section of Lafayette college. 

At the Lafayette Arch, the trail takes a sharp left and runs along the Bushkill creek where it connects with the Karl Sterner Arts trail. (This is where the 5K would head back rte. 248 to 9th and Northampton. They don't get the arts trail.) The art trail ends at 13th street. 

We head back to town zig-zagging thru a residential neighborhood, eventually meeting the 5K-ers. Then everyone heads down Northampton Street with a bump up to the library. It's a good stop. It is home of the original Easton flag, and the genealogy records for the county. Bathroom on a Saturday, not a Sunday.

Then back down around the circle with lots of food choices, museums, and the State theatre. We turn on Second at the Bachman tavern and head down Ferry thru the more historic district. Now we cut back a hair early. The child was tired and starting to whine. She could see the finish!

There were a few crappy sidewalks. That might be a negative. An a lot of slate sidewalks.

Hopefully the trailmaster, Pat, can come up from Philly on Friday Nov. 13 to walk the trail. Bonnie and Angel can also come on Fridays. 

Everyone who walked today contributed to the route. Teamwork!

What is really terrific is there could be an optional 5K that was part of the "state park" walk program. The entrance to the D&L trail is right there. No additional set up would be needed. And out an back. If they keep walking they will end up in Washington's Crossing. Not really in the cards for a Volkssport walk.