golv: saucon rail trail

 Today was the Get Out Lehigh Valley walk on the Saucon Rail trail. It was my 10th walk, so now I have enough stamps to get whatever the prize is. People also know my name. It's a little weird. I don't know theirs. Though I talked to more people today than normal.

The walk started at the Water Street Park in Hellertown. They have a lot of wildflower beds and these little tiny monarch-like butterflies were all over them like a cheap suit. There is two small monarchs —a viceroy and a queen— this one looks like a queen but it's no three inches. It's maybe two inches. My best guess is a painted lady.

The new thing on this trail was new mile markers. The 52 miles is to Philadelphia.

News over heard on the trail: Everything apparently is in place to extent the trail from Coopersburg to Richlandtown. Eventually it will link with the Philadelphia Circuit Trail. The link to the S. Bethlehem Greenway will be awhile. It's an issue with rights.

Normally, after the walk I would have gone home. But my new crop of international students (2 official, 1 not official) were working at the Celtic Classic. When Isha (above) said she was pouring beer, I was a bit shocked. Muslims don't drink. But she assured me she went to training and everything.

So I parked the car and walked to the festival. I new she was at one of the beer booths in the Grand Pavilion. So I'm peering into beer tents looking for a hijab. And I found her. Then I bought enough tickets for a beer, and got in line. The people behind me were probably wondering why I kept telling them to go. Finally it was her turn. She was so surprised to see me. Her shift was nearly over and she had a 2 hour break until the next one in the children's tent. When I found her after her shift she was eating her lunch. There is no halal food at an Irish festival.

She apparently did a great job. She told me that when her relief came, the site supervisor told her she was a good worker and he wanted her back next year. She thanked him, and told him next year she'd be back in Pakistan.

Miles/Steps: 6 for both events
Bathrooms:   none used
Wildlife:        a kaleidoscope of painted lady butterflies.
Weather:      high 80s, breezy, not humid. Yes, it's autumn.