scoping out hellertown

We are working on redoing the old Hellertown AVA walk. If I've read the directions correctly, and used on the online pedometer correctly,  it is a crazy spiral of loops.

There has to be a better way. I know when I see loops I start skipping whole areas. A 10K is suddenly 7.

The small loop at the Heller Homestead and Grist Mill need to be there. It's the history portion of the walk.

More of the rail trail needs to be included. But how? The breaks are about a half-mile apart. If people walk to Meadows Road, there is no safe pedestrian access to Main Street. And it's hard to tell what is what on the map.

It was time for on-foot investigating. Today I concentrated on the trail from the Water Street Park toward Bethlehem. And the natural trail next to it.

The new Water Street Park is lovely. It's amazing what investing some money and time into a place can do. If we start the walk here there will be plenty of parking, indoor bathrooms, running water (for dogs too!) and a picnic pavilion to serve as the start point. Oh, and a playground for kids of all ages.

I parked and was sure to turn on Map My Walk. I was headed into the woods alone. But more importantly I wanted to see how long the nature loop was. It's a mile. At about the half-way point you can go start, next to the creek and come out at a closed bridge. That trail is not as wide, and not as well marked. Think we'll skip that one. This one goes past old cement forms—I'm thinking they held railroad tracks—that have been reclaimed by the forest. When hikers reach the meadow, you curve left and go through the slag fields, and then back into the forest.

When you come out of the slag fields, if you are lucky, there is a doe waiting for you on the trail. It was a 5-minute stalemate, but the deer finally ran away. I was happy ... according to Map my Walk I was about 2/10 of a mile away from my start point.

I came out of the woods, crossed the grass and hopped on the rail trail heading to Bethlehem. 

At the end of the trail was a gate preventing motorists from accessing the trail. In front of me was a trail made by bikers. Ultimately, the dream is to link it to Saucon Park, and then the Greenway to Saucon Park. I can't wait. Then I can walk from my house to Coopersburg! (I know, I'm weird.)

It was maybe three blocks to Main Street. I came out below the Buffalo meat place and The Movies. Clearly I walk like a drunk. There is nothing straight about those lines.

I just took Main Street back to the car. That's when I noticed a new brew pub is opening. I love the name—Lost Tavern Brewing. It's a take, I'm sure, on Lost River Caverns. Which reminded me that I haven't been there in a long time. I'm going this summer.

I decided not to go to the Homestead. My feet were soaked and the air was thick. Another day.

After retrieving the car I actually drove to Lost Cave. Looking at the Hellertown Map it looked like a potential walk route would get really close. And it does. Less than a 1/4 mile way. But the sidewalks end, and the road is winding, with minimal shoulders. Now that would be a walk, wouldn't it?