another wacky wednesday

It's Wednesday, so it's another day of Fitness in the Park (Freemansburg) with the coaches of #STSBeyondFitness.  Every Thursday I don't want to get out of bed. And I probably do half the workout everyone else does.

Yesterday I walked down to have my new glasses adjusted. Everytime I sweat they slide down my nose. I took the scenic route walking up to Seneca because I wanted to see evidence of the murder the previous night. No police tape. No chalk outlines. Not even a tacky shrine. I was highly disappointed.  I thought I might have the wrong block—I was on the factory 900 block)—so I went around the corner and back the alley and tried the 800 block. Nada. So I went out Seneca to Delaware to Third and down to the optician. It rained the whole time I was out. At some point I got really warm and carried my raincoat. I didn't get horribly wet.

This morning I walked my entry for the final Bethlehem Christmas Seal over to Chamber of Commerce. It's at Broad and New. I went over the Hill to Hill and came back on the Fahy Bridge.  It looks like the bridge is almost done.

When I arrived for Fitness in the Park, I headed down the path to the pavilion. It was very full, and it looked like a picnic. I didn't remember them saying anything about a picnic. Then I heard a male voice shout "Gayle". It was coach Sweat. They were up in the basketball court area. That really was someone's picnic.

It was a totally different workout. We jumped rope. (I no longer can. Embarrassing.) We bounced balls off the bathroom wall and did squats when we caught it.We did the battle ropes wrapped around a bullock. And the "suicides" were really long. Nothing was a minute either. Depending on who was doing suicides they had to do 5 or 6 sets. And that's how long we had to keep working. My arms turned into jelly.

When it was my turn for suicides my count was 3, power walking. I think it took longer than the runners 6. Especially the last one.

We'll have class next week, then skip two. Then back to work in "Fall Fitness in the Park". That will run till the first snowfall.

Miles/Steps: 5 (Tuesday. Includes walking on campus) 4 Today
Bathrooms:   none
Wildlife:        none
$ Found:       10¢
Weather:      Tuesday-rainy, cold and damp. Today, Sunny, mid-70s, breezy
Extras:          You know all those flower planters I've been posting? I've been picked to paint one. It will be at Third and Adams, the vacant lot corner.

two more planters

Today is the first day of school in Bethlehem. I knew traffic was going to change and there'd be a ton of busses and crossing guards. Everyone will be adjusting to new schedules. I decided to stay close to home.

Basically I walked from my house down to Cantelmi's and back. Not long, but there were two new planters out to take pictures of. Lots of kids in their "First Day of School" clothes and new backpacks.

Miles/Steps: 2.5
Bathrooms:   none
Wildlife:        none
$ Found:       1¢
Weather:      Sunny, mid-70s, breezy

b i n g o

I finished my Bingo challenge for this summer with one day to spare. I just realized that I had BINGO two or three weeks ago, on the up angle from B to O. Drats. And it would be pretty easy to get the third one (right under start) if something was playing at the movies worth spending the money on. I am not into superheroes.

Completing this challenge got me thinking about what next year's challenge will be. I know for cetain that I am not doing the "Montco" again. I will always do the "Tail on the Trail" and the "GetOut LV" walks. But as you all know I need bigger goals.

Walking on the D&L yesterday I've decided I am going to walk/pedal/paddle the entire 167 miles of the D&L. I'll need teammates for some sections since I'm not going to walk 14 miles one-way to the next trailhead and then walk back.

I also will need to research renting or buying (2nd-hand) a bike rack that will hold three bikes, assuming that Angel and family come along on the bike sections. There are several sections that are quite a distance between trailheads. Those need to be biking. The teen isn't much into walking these days but she loves to bike. Or she did. With teens you can never tell. Or maybe the day rate of a real van (rather than mini-van). Bikes, coolers, and gear will fit in one of those bad boys. Or even places that rent bikes.

Before doing anything I have to find out the date of the 2018 Lehigh River Sojourn. That will be a 32-mile segment done in the water. And this year they provided all the equipment which makes it easier and yes, more expensive. But I have nine-months to save.

An alternative is the Wildlands' "Boat and Bike". This year that was last weekend and I think it's 10 miles and was $10.

There are a lot of decisions to be made after a ton of research. Starting with a time frame. I think summer vacation might be too short. Maybe May 1 to October 1. Or even Oct. 31?

It should be fun.

Anyone want to come?

where are all the nasty geese?

Today I walked on the D&L in Allentown.  There were no geese. There hasn't been any in awhile. Where did they go. Those nasty critters have been taking over all the parks. I didn't even see any poop!

Driving in I noticed there was a new footbridge and signage over the canal. When I reached the parking lot there was also signage. The kinds of signs that are sorely needed in Northampton. Maybe they got my memo? (No, I didn't send one. I just whine.)

I parked and followed the new signs back toward the Hamilton Street bridge. As was the case when Bonnie and I explored this trail two years ago, it was covered with weeds. The path got narrower and narrower. It was finally the width of a bike tire. Crossing the improved bridge was nice. But there was no sign telling you to turn left and go up the hill to continue the trail. (Beggers can't be picky, I guess.) I decided to turn right and walk back to the trail head on the road. RR tracks run next to the road, and there was a train using them. I couldn't hear traffic coming. It was probably unsafe, but that road gets little traffic. It was weird walking there.

Then I hopped on the trail and headed toward Bethlehem. Pretty quickly I saw a turtle. There are always tons of turtles on this stretch of the trail. I only saw one today. It was disappointing. The sun was hitting the water really nicely and making great reflections. There were also people tubing on the Lehigh. It was quite shady so I walked awhile and then turned around and came back.

I didn't take my water bottle with me on the trail. It was cool and shady. I wouldn't need to carry it. But I sure wanted it when I returned to the car. I put all my bottles in the freezer about a 1/3 full so the water stays cold. I didn't realize that it has sprung a leak. My second this year! The cup holders were filled with water. I used all the paper trash in my car (including used tissues) and the rest of a box of tissues to clean up the mess. There was still alittle water left driving home.

Miles/Steps: 4
Bathrooms:   I-3.5 Bathrooms in an Allentown Park were open! But the handicapped toilet had nothing in it. No toilet, no grab bars, no sink. Nada. Very odd. I could see one thing broken, but everything?
Wildlife:        Cardinal, turtle, lots of chirping birds and insects
Weather:      Sunny, low-70s, breezy

montco challenge, day two

This challenge is designed for Montgomery county residents, and meant to be done over time. Not in kamikozi travel and walking sessions. But the budget, and time, doesn't allow for multiple trips to Montgomery county.  I do what I can.

First on the list was the Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail in Upper Gywneth Township. I have been to this park several times. This whole area has had an explosion of development and additional roads. I didn't recognized anything but the Wawa. Now, I didn't map out this part of the trip. I thought I knew where I was going. Wrong.

Basically, you get off the Turnpike in Lansdale and head up Sumneytown Pike.  I couldn't find it. Hmmm. Maybe this is the park that I had to turn down Forty Foot Rd. So I did. It wasn't there either. Only logical explanation is I went the wrong direction on Sumneytown. I got as far as Merck and couldn't find it. Frustrated I left. This was supposed to be the easy find. When I checked google at home I was two blocks away. It's right AFTER Merck. This just shows me that I need to check the map, even for places I know. That simple two-minute step would have saved me a half hour of searching and frustration.

I returned to the Turnpike and got off at Norristown. I was on Chemical Rd. I needed to be at Chemical and the Germantown Pike. Somehow I missed the Germantown Pike getting off the Turnpike. I turned around at a Lukoil station, and it smelled like bleach. (Jokingly I wondered where the body was hidden. Too many crime shows!) To avoid the problem at the last stop, I went into the Lukoil and asked.

Thankfully my sense of direction was correct. I found the Cross Country Trail and there was a business and a parking lot at the corner. There were cars near the trail, none near the business. I thought the parking lot was for the trail, but it wasn't. As I reached the trailhead there was a sign blocking the entrance to the trail so you didn't miss it—Parking is for XYZ company. All others towed. Shit. I had to go back to the car and move it to the big office buildings lot next door. (Bonnie would have said "leave it. They won't tow on a Saturday.") I walked back to the corner so I could begin at the start of the trail. The water drop icon was on both the front and the back of the sign. They must be much more trail friendly because they have stairs from the lot down to the trail. I went 15 minutes out and then back.

I didn't care for this trail because the turnpike was on one side and Chemical Road on the other. In this section, anyway, it was loud. But you could walk for groceries and to a mall.

Next stop was the Norristown Farm Park. I tried to get here last week and had shitty directions. I kept ending up at the state hospital. It was about 5 miles away, right off the Germantown Pike.  It was so easy to find. Why Google took me that half-ass way last week I have no idea. It wanted to do it again this week, but I kept looking at the map thinking there was an easier way. More traffic, but easier. Who knew you could edit a Google map? It also told me I needed to make two U-turns to get into the park. I didn't. As soon as I got there I knew where I was from the Volkssport state park weekend.

The easiest trail to get to from where I was, was the trail around the cornfield. But it was about 3.5 miles. And I still had two more parks to do—that was out. In addition, it was in the full sun. I had parked near the entrance, so I chose to and walk into the main part of the park. It turned out to be about the same distance as my first walk. And it was all in the shade, plus a bathroom.

I headed out again on the Germantown Pike to get to Rt. 29. I was on the home loop of this trip. For awhile I thought I was going wrong, again. I could see the cooling towers on the Delaware River. That didn't seem right. Then I thought, just F-it. If I get to the river I can get home. But Rt. 29 did come well before the cooling towers.

If you read last weeks adventure, you will remember I also tried this park last week. I couldn't find the challenge sign and gave up. I parked at the same place and walked over the lake bridge. Durring the week it occurred to me thought that maybe since the park was a drop-off, the marker would be hidden on the park office somewhere. It was! If you were not looking for it, you would have not seen it. Then I walked part way around the lake, turned around, went back over the bridge, and came back to the car.

My final stop was in Graterford on the Perkiomen Trail. There is a trail head right before the prison. My walk was the same as it was for the other parks. This time, however, there was a hill. This was the toughest trail because there was some sort of bike race. I was afraid of being run over. It was shady, though.

I have completed the basic challenge. The "Explorer" portion—5 walks. But actually I have completed 8. The next level is "Adventurer", at 10. Three are in the southwest corner of the county. I never have a reason to go there. Could I come up with an excuse to go to Lansdale again. Probably. But then I'd have 9. Then I've have to do the 10. I really don't need a medal. Hell, I don't need a patch either. It's the competition to get my butt out there.

Miles/Steps: 5 spread between 4 walks
Bathrooms:   I-4.5 The bathroom at the Farm Park.
Wildlife:        None. The geese were not even at Green Lane Park!
Weather:       Sunny, low-70s, breezy

it didn't get dark!

I posted this in the wrong blog. I need to be more careful. I just deleted it. This is from Monday, August 21.

I delayed my walk yesterday to the afternoon because of the eclipse. I wanted to see it and walk in the dark, during the day. I knew it was going to be hot walking over the bridge, and was not disappointed.

About 12:45 yesterday I headed over to the public library. I was hoping to score some glasses, but they were gone. (People waited in line from 7 am!) It's okay, I had my box.

The plan was to hang out at the library until it started to get dark, and then go walking until it became light again. I knew we wouldn't have total darkness, we were at 80% eclipse. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. It got minimally lighter. Barely imperceivable. When I arrived home I called my sister in Kentucky (96%) and it didn't get dark there either! What a bust.

What was good. The atmosphere at the library. People brought chairs and blankets and had picnic baskets. A smart food truck could have made a killing at the event. (I took a quart of water and it wasn't nearly enough for the heat.) People were talking to each other, sharing the limited shade, and more importantly sharing glasses and ... and cardboard boxes. People were talking to strangers.They exchanged tips on how to take pictures. And if one came out, how'd they do that. Imagine. It felt more like 1977 than 2017.

My neice and her cousin were there with their boxes (above, still at the house). Her grandmother said all her cereal was now in plastic bags. The Morning Call took pictures of my neice. It's on their webpage number 8 & 11.

I stayed until the moon starting moving left. I saw the cresent on top. Then I headed out for the bright, hot, walk home.

I stopped under a tree at the end of the Hill to Hill Bridge for a second and saw this cacoon? Anybody know what it is? It's a pretty distinctive shape.

In the evening was the last "Yoga Under the Stars". I was so excited because it was Glowga. We all wore glow necklaces and bracelets. YUTS usually coincides with the moons. Last night it was the new moon and the eclipse. It drizzled a little as I was driving there. Maybe it was because of walking in the heat earlier, I just wasn't comfortable. I felt like a clammy, stinky mess. Turning the AC on in the car just made it worse.

When I arrived at the park it was cloudy, cooler, and getting dark. The humidity just hung in the air like a wet blanket. You could cut the moisture with a knife. We never saw the moon. Part of what makes this a cool event is wathching the moon rise.

There is a time at the end which is called the Savasana or the final relaxation; literally translated as "corpse pose." I can never fully relax, but I normally can calm myself down a little, and at least watch the stars. Not last night. I was all kinds of fidgety. I just wanted out. I guess I shouldn't have gone. Lesson learned.

Thankfully it wasn't my first time, because I don't think I would have gone back.

On the up side,  I missed the president's speech on tv. And I slept good. That should count for something.

Miles/Steps: 6 for both events
Bathrooms:   The bathroom at Cedar Creek Park has no lights. I went in to wash my hands after applying bug stuff. It was creepy.   Someone asked if I wanted to borrow her phone for the flashlight.
Wildlife:        Just the cacoon featured above.
Weather:       Partly cloudy, high -80s, and humid

Extras:          my faith in humanity was briefly restored at the eclipse

getting ready for a walk in the dark

Yesterday I spent some time getting ready for today's walk. It's eclipse day, and sunglasses aren't going to cut it. Those viewing glasses are great if you could find them. But I couldn't. And really, they are just good for looking at the sun. I'd fall off a bridge wearing them walking!

First I made a pinhole viewer from a Cherrios box. It was a big box and kind of clunky. To big to carry. So I made another one out of a Life box. Much smaller.

Then, of course, I had to get rid of the advertising. Now if I planned ahead I would have collaged all the doodles and had a copy made. That way it would be one piece. But no, not me, I glued on individual doodles, then added the sun, then filled in the sun side by hand. I'm the only person on the planet spending two hours making a viewer.

Tested it this morning. No light leaks. And am actually getting the knack of holding it correctly. 

The plan is to walk away from the sun as much as possible. It's a city, so it shouldn't be an issue. The street lights will probably come on, and there is plenty of artificial light from the buildings.

Then tonight is ''Glowga" at Cedar Creek Park.

it's christmas in hellertown

I'm serious. In front of city hall they have a light pole decorated. Hopefully they are just testing it. Maybe they are buying new decos. I sure hope so.

Obviously I was walking in Hellertown today. It's farmer's market day and I really wanted pickles. Plus I had some books for the free library box. It was a win-win-win.

When I arrived it was difficult to park. It's a beautiful day, plus the market. I actually managed to find a place in the shade. I kept my purse with me because I was too lazy to walk back to the car. In it was the books, and a grocery bag. I deposited the books first. And managed to withdraw one. Shit. Now I have to carry it.

I headed toward Bethlehem on the rail trail and then ducked into the woods when the trail split. The first half of this trail is wooded. The second half is a slag field from the glory days of steel. My guess is they are now removing this slag. What used to be unusable now fetches a good price on the resale market. I think they make roads out of it. The piles are all gone on 412. It was a matter of time before these went too.

Because they are removing the slag, the trail moved. I bet it will move a lot. Now it goes up a little hill. While I was walking on the trail there were two teens perched on top of one of the piles.

After coming out of the woods I headed on the trail until it ended, and then walked up to Main Street. After a stop at the bank, I headed back to the market.

The pickle guy wasn't there.

Miles/Steps: 2.5 miles
Bathrooms:   none used  
Wildlife:        5 monarchs, a bunch of yellow moths, 3 does, noisy insects, birds
Weather:       Sunny, 80s 

$ found:        I think it's a quarter from the size. Can't be sure until it's scrubbed.
Extras:          this morning I transformed a cereal box into a pinhole camera for the eclipse tomorrow.

montco challenge

Montgomery County announced 2017 Montco Challenge back in May. I was hoping Bonnie and I could do it together, but that didn't work out. So about two weeks ago I planned a route that would hit five parks in one day. Before school started. Five is the minimum needed to complete the challenge for a patch. (Last year it was only five. Period.) Ten walks is a medal (last year's prize) and 15 is a cooler backpack. (I have one of those from the tail on the trail. Don't think I ever used it.)

It's a long drive and consolidating trips is necessary. I'd do that in the Lehigh Valley also. I can't afford five trips (or 15 for the full challenge) to Montogomery County. I used google maps, input all the park addresses, and moved them around until I pretty much made a tear drop shape. Basically I drove down 29 and back 309. I planned for a 1-mile walk at each stop -- 10 minutes out, 10 minutes back.

First stop: Green Lane Park. It's a beautiful lake. Last year I had a devil of a time finding the marker. I remembered where it was because I took a picture of the location. This park confuses the hell out of me. One road at the northern end with three entrances. I made all the same mistakes as I made last year. I parked and hiked up toward the bathrooms. That's where the marker was and it was gone, and nothing replaced it. WTF?  I spent the alloted walking time searching for the marker. I never found it.

The second trail was the Skippack Trail. It was near a ball field, elementary school, municipal building, and town park. As with all trails in Montco, there was more than one there. The Perkiomen runs
20 miles!

 Eventually the trails split. But I still hadn't found the markers. I could hear the highway. I decided to walk to the highway, and if there was no marker, tough shit. I'd be 0-2. This day was not coming out the way I planned.

I got to the highway and saw nothing...except horses in front of me. The trail continued past the horses. I crossed the street, checked out the horse, and came back. And then I saw it. The blue dot. Thank goodness for horses. If it weren't for them I would have missed it. I swear, they hide them.

Then it was off to Lower Perkiomen Park. So far the directions were working out well. I realized when I arrived I had been here before. This park has about 4 trails. The one takes you to Valley Forge. One is the Perkiomen. I later found out that there is also the Audubon Loop.  I never did find out the name of the last one.

You can see there are two markers here. A green square and a heart. I have no idea which trails they are for. This is litereally the fourpoints.

 When I was looking at the map I saw these hearts dangling from the map holders. I picked one up.  I now have to leave it on another trail.

You can now also rent bikes. Now that's a cool option. Much faster than walking. All of these trails are very sunny. Cool options are good.

I was very close to Audubon's house and you can be sure I was going.  I wasn't sure the distance from Lower Perk Park to the house so I drove. I should have walked. Lesson learned. I parked and checked out the trail map. I hiked out to where the Loop trail joined the property. It was a green square. One mystery solved. Now what is the heart? Then I crossed the lawn and went down to the bird habitat trail, and the owl house. After climbing up some tricky stairs, I went to the house.

Both floors, all the stairwells, hall, and a few rooms were covered in handpainted bird wall paper.

The stairways had a repeating pattern for the background field, but every bird was different!

The next stop was the Norristown Farm Park. I was there previously. It's a nice trail. Some paved, some thru the woods. The Perkiomen trail also runs thru there. Of course.  Running next to the farm is a large mental institution . When we did the Volkssport walk we walked down one side of it. I was following the directions and made it to the facility. I was close. But I never found Circle Drive. Numerous attempts to go around the facility did not succeed. Ultimately, I gave up.

I got on Rt 202 North and headed to Rt. 309. My last trail was the Route 202 Trail. It runs along side the highway. Last year Bonnie and I spent an hour looking for the marked trailhead. The only one we didn't try was the 309 one. Mostly because we couldn't figure out how to enter it. I almost missed it again, but I did it today. I FOUND IT! Bonnie will be excited. It was actually the easiest one to find all day. Right there at the start of the trail. It was a lightening bolt.

I have no idea how much I walked. I wanted to check while I was at the 202 trail, and discovered that I didn't have my tracker on. I didn't go far. You cook on htat trail. The sun just beats down on you.

So I found 4/5. I'll need to make another trip to Montgomery County to finish this challenge.

Miles/Steps:  Clueless
Bathrooms:   L-3.5 Green Pond Park 
Wildlife:        Bunny, noisy insects, birds, and owls in captivity.
Weather:       Sunny, 80s, humid. 

$ found:        none

Extras:          Driving home there was a man dressed as a mattress on the side of the road. One has to be desperate to take that job!

the mosey wood effect

I have three or four t-shirts that are made of this super soft cotton, like a babies diaper. I wear them all the time walking. One is my Mosey Wood t-shirt that I bought during the 75th anniversary celebration about three years ago.

Every time I wear my Mosey Wood shirt someone comments on it. The conversation always turns to summers at Mosey Wood and Girl Scouts. Pretty much without fail.

Today I walked at Trexler Park. I was barely on the track and it happened again. "Mosey Wood! I loved Mosey Wood as a girl. It seems like a lifetime ago."

The Mosey Wood effect. It's real. And it lasts a lifetime.

Miles/Steps:  3
Bathrooms:   none used 
Wildlife:        lots of insects singing. A blue jay. A cardinal.
Weather:       Sunny, low-70s. 

$ found:        none

Extras:          I've been looking for Eclipse glasses. Can't find daddy's eclipse glass from the blast furnace. But I needed to buy them a month ago. Once the article hit Sunday's paper everyone was sold out. Since I was in the neighborhood, I pulled into the science center. None there either. Guess I'll be watching it on the internet.

 

save some money in the budget for signs

Back in June I went investigating the new trail that is supposed to connect the Nor-Bath trail with the D&L in Northampton. It was hotter than hell and there were no signs and I pretty much gave up.

Today it's warm and sunny but not humid. I didn't want to walk in the 'hood, and I didn't want to go to the last day of Musikfest. I'm not crazy. So I decided it was a great day to check out the new trail.

I parked at the Savage Road trailhead, and turned left, crossed the street and did that small portion of the trail. There was a trailhead sign, a historic marker, and the trail was painted Xing Hwy. I looked left, and then right, and tried to figure out which way I was supposed to go to pick up the extension. I decided left was the way to go and as I turned I noticed there was a crosswalk to the athletic fields. And a trail crossing sign for drivers. I put 2+2 together and said oh there's the trail. You really don't have to walk in the street. At the end of this section there was another painted crosswalk, and a trail crossing sign for motorists. I got the hint. I followed the crosswalks. I headed on the section I explored the first time. It goes behind the rec center and runs next to the railroad tracks. There is a split rail fence but the top split is missing on the whole fence. Someone clearly miscalculated.

I followed that to Main Street where there was another crosswalk and trail sign for motorists. Just like before it just ended. If you know what to do you follow 10th Street. Walk in the street because 10th Street still has broken steps. If you follow 10th it will take you under a crumbling bridge to Canal Street, and over the Hokey Creek and ultimately to the canal path at the park.

BUT THERE WERE NO SIGNS for walkers. Just motorists. Not one. I'm dense. What if this was my first time?

A better option would have users cross, turn right on Main, and then at Laubach (which isn't quite as skanky as 10th) turn left and go down to Canal Street and the park. Sure it's a hair longer, but who cares? At least you don't have to worry that you'll fall down broken stairs and have a 100-year-old bridge fall on you.

I only know where to go because I've done it before.

Say you don't want to do the D&L, you want to go on the IRT. Easy Peazy. Make a left, then cross the bridge to the right. At the end of the bridge, turn right again and you're almost there.

I turned at the Hokey Creek and went back to Savage Road.

Miles/Steps: Just under 4  
Bathrooms:   There are none at the trailhead. The one at the athletic fields were locked. Wildlife:        I heard lots of insects and only one bird  
Weather:      Low 90s, sunny or overcast. Nothing in-between  
$ Found:       zip  
Extras:          If I've said it once, I've said it 100 times, signs are powerful tools. Honestly, when you're spending that kind of money to add a terrific trail, signs don't cost that much in the grand scheme of things. Hell, you don't even need physical signs. They don't use them on the Boston Freedom Trail. They have a red line painted on the sidewalk. Freedom Trail walkers follow the damn line. THey repaint it evey so often. Hmmm. No money for a line painter? How about just adding arrow heads to the yellow line that's already there. This is a no brainer. It's called environmental graphics.

golv: lehigh gorge state park

 Today's walk was near Camp Mosey Wood at Lehigh Gorge State Park. Still not the top of the D&L Trail. I think next summer we should rent bikes and go from the top to the bottom of the D&L. All 167 miles. It will probably take most of the summer.

 Walking from the parking area to the trailhead, we passed a tunnel excavated by 19th century workmen for the Buck Mountain Coal Company.

 When we reached the trail head three school bus loads of people were being dropped off for Whitewater rafting adventures. It was packed with people. (There was a white-water release from Francis E. Walter Dam this weekend)

 Once there, we walked south to Luke's Falls and past the round stone base of a RR water tower.

Then we retraced our steps and walked back thru the trailhead north to Buttermilk Falls  along the smooth cinder trail that was a former railroad bed. 

Buck Mountain Coal Company built the gravity railroad in 1840 in what is now the 4500-acre Lehigh Gorge State Park. In 1829 James J. Audubon stopped here for six weeks to paint the native birds.  

Driving out I saw signs for the Audobon Trail. According to the DCNR's website "In 1829, John James Audubon visited the Upper Lehigh River to study and paint the area’s birds and wildlife. This 53-mile loop follows parts of that historic route beginning at either Jim Thorpe or White Haven. The tour passes through other quaint towns and stops at natural attractions and historic landmarks. An old grist mill, a one-room schoolhouse, remnants of a nineteenth century tannery and the beautiful Lehigh River are a few of the stops along this tour. Hickory Run State Park is one feature along the tour. The park holds a large boulder field of red sandstone and conglomerates, a National Natural Landmark. Lehigh Gorge State Park is also featured. Here the ruggedness and scenic beauty of the Lehigh River is displayed in steep forested hillsides, fast-moving water and tributary waterfalls."

Road trip anyone? 

Miles/Steps:  about 3.5
Bathrooms:   none used 
Wildlife:        none. really. I didn't even see a bird.
Weather:       Sunny, low-80s. humid 

$ found:        none

musikfest, day 8

Friday was yoga day at Musikfest. They held it from 3-4 before the festival opened. On stage was a guitarist playing background music.

I drove part way and then walked. It looked like the skies were going to open up any second. But it held off until about 6:00.

The class was tough. Lots of up and down. More downdogs than I've ever done. This was clearly not the yoga in the park class. I think this one was for advanced students, not novices. I did not enjoy it. Today my knees hurt like hell when I first got up. My bed was being repaired and the mattress was on the floor. I had difficulty getting up. I thought that my day was going to be spent in bed!

After the class, I got a beer and looked for someplace to eat. I really didn't find anything. The choices on the south side are not as good as on the north side. Actually, I don't care at all for the south side festival. If the big stage wasn't there, no one would go there.

I walked back to the car, stopped for Chinese and headed home.

Miles/Steps:  about 2.5
Bathrooms:   none used 
Wildlife:        none
Weather:       Sunny, low-80s. humid 

$ found:        none

musikfest, day 7

The walking everyday to Musikfest plan really hasn't worked out. Oh well.

Wednesday I really didn't walk at all. I had a lot of running to do, and to be honest, I just didn't feel like it. I did drag my lazy butt to Fitness in the Park.

Last night we did stations. There were 10. I think, for the first time, nothing was new. We began and ended with a lap on the track. She suggested taking class past Labor Day, until the snow falls. Now, to be honest, I would go. I don't mind walking in cold weather, why would I not work out. But I see a fatal flaw to her plan. Darkness. It gets darker earlier and earlier every day, and when time changes, it will skip ahead an hour. I think ... maybe ... they could squeak out late October. But that's it.

Today I did go to Musikfest, and then to the South Bethlehem Farmer's Market. When I was downtown, I saw Sharon. Well, let's rephrase that, Sharon saw me.

"Gayle, is that you?"

I turn and look. It's Sharon.

"I can't get off the chair."

I went over and helped her. I wonder what she would have done if I didn't wander past. She said she was only stuck for 5 minutes. Who knows? But it made me remeber why I go out there and hit the sidewalk most days. Even when I don't want to. I don't want to get stuck in a chair because of arthritis.

I heard some music today at the festival. First time. At each platz. And I saw one busker, above. She is Bella Magic (Giordana Humphries) a Toronto based entertainer. She was doing something with class balls. The bio says she is "circus arts". I'm not sure what that means.  But I love her hair. And make-up.

I came to Musikfest over the Hill-to-Hill bridge and came back the Fahy. It just made sense to get to the market. Then it was out 4th and Broadway and back home.

Tomorrow I'm walking to Steel Stacks tomorrow afternoon. They say it's part of Musikfest, and it's labeled Musikfest, but it's not. It's a concurrent festival. At three they are having yoga on the big lawn. Then I'll walk around a bit before coming home. 

Miles/Steps:  about 4.5
Bathrooms:   none used
Wildlife:        there seems to be an over-population of squirrels.
Weather:       Sunny, low-80s. Low humidity. 

$ found:        10¢

it's all about doctors

It must be doctor season.

Two weeks ago I bent my glasses all to hell. I went to the optician for all the Kings horses and all the King's men to put them back together again. They did. They worked miracles. But the reality is I hadn't been there in three years and the ultra violet coating was peeling off and the lenses were a mess. I asked the receptionist to make an appointment. I'd bite the bullet. How's 3:00? We had a cancellation. I went. Last week I picked up my new glasses and had lenses put in my old ones.  Now I have two pair. If I was rich I'd have 10. Pick the glasses to match my mood.

Last Thursday I went to have my blood work done, and I got the same Latina tech as always. My veins are hard to find and she's a champ at it. She missed, or it rolled, or something and it hurt like hell and she pulled it out. Ultimately she took the blood from my hand.

Monday was doctor day. When I first arrived my blood pressure was off the charts. When he took it later it was 126/81. He was happy with that. I had passed all my blood work with flying colors, do not have baby boomer hepatitis, and I lost 10 pounds! It was a good day at the doctor's.

Then we discuss all the things he wants me to do. He gave me yet another referral for a gyno. I think it's the third one. He also gave me a referral for a mammogram. And asked if I wanted a flu shot. I told him I'd get it at the ball park free in November. It's cheap and fun.

When I was checking out the nurse asked if I'd like her to make the mammogram appointment. I said sure. I'm better if I make the appointments before I leave the building. The breast center was across the hall. She calls and gets an odd look on her face. She looks at me and said "How is 10:00?" It was 8:45. I said yes. I ran some errands and came back. They called Wednesday (while I was in the luminarium) that the results were negative. Whoo Hoo.

The final doctors appointment for this year is the retna guy. It's a following up and the last one I'm going to. It's a waste of money. I'm still having the shooting stars and he can't find a tear.  So what is the point.He told me if the shooting stars increase or if anything new develops I should call. He did say my cataract of the right eye is getting bad. I deal with that when I can't see.

All and all a good medical week for me. Not so much for Bonnie. She's back in the hospital with heart issues. 

musikfest day 5

It's day 5 of Musikfest, but only my second time. I had planned to go yesterday, but it rained a lot. Didn't want to walk in the rain. I think I'm getting old. And let's face it, Musikfest has changed a lot over the years. Sometimes not for the better.

It opens at noon. I walked over about 11:30. I wanted to be the first in line for the Luminarium. Once I arrived at the Hill to Hill Bridge I noticed the sign (above, right) that says "Sidewalk will be closed at Steps 8/4-8/13". I knew that since I've been using the steps a lot. There was a man walking in front of me.  When we arrived at the stairs he walked right past the sign (above, left) and continued on the bridge. Some people clearly don't read, or care about signs.

I headed down the stairs and went to the Luminarium. It was supposed to open at noon. It didn't open until 12:30. Kind of pissed me off. Don't advertise noon if you really mean 12:30. You have to remove your shoes, but it is wheelchair accessible. They check the tires for sharp objects. Basically this is a huge balloon. A sharp stone would be a catastrophe.

 It was really cool. Probably the best part of Musikfest so far and well worth the $5. I walked thru the platzes to Johnston Park and back. Again, I was disappointed in my food. I bought it from Grumpy's food truck. Now Grumpy's is an fantastic BBQ joint. The food truck, not so much. But the sweet potato fries were fresh and hot and good. And the Yuengling's was cold.

Overall I'm disappointed in Musikfest. I've pretty much have heard no music! I keep walking thru the platzes to the sounds of silence or a radio. Back when I was working stage crew there was a half-hour break between acts. I guess the start/end times were staggered. They no longer appear to be. As I was heading up the stairs today I heard a child singing. She was flat and awful. The book says it was the performing arts high school. Golly, I hope not.

Miles/Steps:  about 4
Bathrooms:   none used
Wildlife:        none
Weather:       Sunny, mid-70s. Breezy. 

$ found:        none

Extra:            while I was in the Luminaria, my phone rang. My phone rarely rings. It figures.

 

yoga under the stars

Last night was Yoga Under the Stars, and it included a walk, and a nocturnal animal presentation by the Wildlands Conversancy. A full day at 7 pm.

About 2 dozen people did the walk. We began west of the pavilions at Cedar Creek  and headed east and across Ott Street, then around Muhlenberg lake. The naturalist specialized in trees. I now know the difference between an American Sycamore and an Asia Sycamore. I also learned about efforts to re-establish the American Chestnut. We saw this red tail hawk flying from tree to tree on the walk.

When we returned to the yoga area, the animals had arrived. A skunk and an owl. The animals were put away and the naturalist joined the yoga practice.

The moon was almost full. Today is the full moon. It's impossible to take pictures in the dark, so these were taken ahead of time and posted to the foundations web page. Because it's getting light earlier, the moon had already risen over Cedar Crest College.  I think I did worse last night than usual. I somehow ended up in the front. Yuck.

It was clear when we started, but it clouded up during the class. The clouds  were white and puffy. and made it really light out.It also obscured the stars.

I used the star walk app on my phone and took a photo of the chart for my exact location last night. If I could see anything but the moon, this is what I'd see. Sadly, I know none of these stars.

Miles/Steps:  4ish
Bathrooms:   none used 
Wildlife:        red tail haw, swan, a sord of mallards...butt first in the water, skunk and owl (okay, the last two are not really wild anymore)
Weather:       Sunny, high-60s. Breezy. 

$ found:        none