#optoutside

I don't generally shop on Black Friday. I'm not into crazy. Or crowds. Or rude people. The last time I went was 5 or so years ago and I went to downtown Bethlehem with a colleague. My friend Angel works at Target. And she loves it. Different strokes.

It's gorgeous here—low 60s, sunny, bright. The people next door are working on their porch. People are out doing yard work. It feels like September. I had to go out. Besides, it's warmer out than in.

REI, a outdoorsy store came up with the hashtag in the header. They are closed today. Even online. And yesterday. Instead, they want people to opt to go outside. And then post pictures with the hash tag. There is only two ways this can play out. A massive success or the biggest marketing failure since JCPenny tried to eliminate sales and coupons. I'm hoping for success. I'm all about taking the path less traveled and not bowing to peer pressure. I have no idea where this store. Clearly not around here. (I'm guessing it's more like LLBean than Cabelas. But I do not know.)

Where should I #optoutside to? I didn't want to drive and encounter the crazies and the traffic. And I had two more spaces in my distance volkssport book to fill before I can send it in. So I decided to do the Bethlehem South walk. Tomorrow I'm doing Allentown. The event book has been patiently waiting for it. (I'm too cheap to use two stamps or envelopes.)

 Off I went. I headed to the Comfort Suites to check in. They were putting the finishing touches on the Ethnic Christmas Tree Display. There is about 15 trees. All themed by country. What surprises me more is what is under the tree. Often it is a Nativity (Moravian's often place a putz) but frequently it is not. For example the African American tree had a basket of fruit.

Then it was down the Greenway. I took a lot of pixs for Instagram because it was an urban walk. I'm thinking not many urban walks will be represented today. You can be grateful that I am not posting all of them here.

When I finally reached ArtsQuest I went up on the Hoover Mason Trestle and took more pixs. Of course. If you haven't been there you should. The beauty of the rust and decay is overwhelming. Or maybe it's the whole artist thing. But I don't think so.

Leaving ArtsQuest I saw this flag sticking out of a broken window. Now the area is fenced off, so I'm not sure how it got there. But it's kind-of cool.  I also think that all security fences need a small window for cameras. Taking this pix wasn't easy.

Normally I go up Webster to continue on the actual route. But today I decided to go up Polk. Around the new performing arts charter high school there are these inlays in the sidewalk. A mosaic twist on the buy a brick idea. Much more interesting.

Finally I headed home to fight with my FitBit. The dongle doesn't like my upgraded OS. I played with it a half hour and then sent in a custormer service request. Of course then it worked.

Tonight I'm headed to a Phantoms game with my brother and his wife. I've never been to a hockey game. This will be interesting.

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