well, the museum was cool.

The D&L posted on Facebook that they were dedicating a connecting link of trail between the IRT and the D&L. I thought the dedication was Sunday, but ultimately I was wrong.

Even though it was to be humid and in the low 90s, I decided to go to the dedication but this link could be potentially very useful. I wanted to see where it was. And it was something different.

It also allowed me to go to the Atlas Cement Museum which is only open two Sundays a month. It's a win-win. And has "cemented" a new goal of visiting little museums this summer. (Groan). Back in the day cement was king in this area. (Northampton doesn't called there high school team the Koncrete Kids for nothing.) But like the Steel in Bethlehem, the cement has all but gone away. Northampton is down to four mills. Another one was just purchased and eliminated.

Shockingly I was not the only person there. And it's free-free. Not even a donation box. Sadly they don't let you take pics inside. I was going to try to sneak one from the lobby but the volunteer had eagle eyes on me! There's some cool stuff in there. And oh my goodness, the typography on the machinery. Yep, I get distracted. Just like the Steel, Atlas Cement contributed to landmarks in the US and around the world. One was the Panama Canal.

After a bit I asked for directions to the rec center where I thought the dedication was. I could have walked. Corner, turn right, turn right at stop, go a block and it's across from the fire station.

I was early, it was about 2:35 but the parking lot was really kind-of empty. But I could immediately see a brand new macadam path. The street going into the parking lot was marked "Trail Xing". I had to be at the right place.

I went to the building and that's when I found out that I was there the wrong day. So I hopped on the new trail—that appeared to start at the rec center—and headed toward the river. The D&L runs along the river. I walked about 3, maybe 4 blocks, and the trail stopped at Main Street, I think. The main road thru downtown Northampton. I was a good 2 blocks from the D&L. I continued to go straight and got to the D&L. If I went right, I was headed to Slatington. If I went left, I was going under the bridge and into the woods. That section of trail isn't finished.

Hmm. I went back up and headed to the cement bridge. Remember, I was looking for it to connect to the IRT. The cement bridge was closed to pedestrians and cars. There are stairs from that bridge down to the trail, but they've been closed for years.

Puzzled, I headed back. I followed the trail to what appeared to be the end at the Water Department parking lot. I went thru the lot and saw this kiosk and a path. but it lead to the Hokendauqua Creek.

I'm clueless to where this trail is supposed to go. Next to the water department is a park and then schools. In todays D&L newsletter it says "The D&L Trail and NorBath Trail are connected by a new 1-mile section of trail." 

Boy I need to read, not scan. So heading toward town ... well out of town, would be correct. The Nor-Bath trail runs from Northampton to Bath. There's a trail head at Savage Road. If you go left, it just sort-of ends at an athletic field. That must be where it is connecting.

Maybe what I should do is go to Savage Rd and walk toward Northampton. See if I can find it there. But it still doesn't connect with the D&L unless many signs are put up.

I just might have to go to the dedication Friday.

Miles/Steps: Probably close to 3
Bathrooms:   None Used
Wildlife:        Nothing was out in that heat.
Weather:       Low 90s, humid, sunny
$ Found:        zip
Extras:          Like I said before, signs are powerful tools. As are maps.