more research

Maybe two years ago I agreed to rewrite the Hellertown Volkssport walk. Then there was an incident with my computer and I lost all my work. (No, the backup queen didn't have a backup!) Now that school is out and I have a ton of time and no money, I decided to start fresh.

Volkssport walks take you thru towns and show you history, parks, downtowns, art, colleges, anything that might be of interest. Hellertown offers some interesting challenges. All the history is off of the rail trail. There are entire neighborhoods without trees. And the biggest feature— Lost River Caverns—you can get within 1000 feet on foot, but ultimately can't walk there. The sidewalks end, there is no shoulder and there is a hairpin blind curve. It's an accident waiting to happen.

So I played with google pedometer for awhile but it wouldn't take me on the trails I needed to get to. So today's walk was research.

I headed to Hellertown and turned on "Map My Walk" on my phone. It would draw me the maps I need, and give me a general idea of the length of the trails. It worked. The trail thru the old Thomas Iron Works is about a mile loop. I can't take the walkers all the way to the Sidersville Road bridge  because it is closed. If they turn on High Street that bridge is also out. I don't think they are being replaced soon. So the loop it is.

The trail thru the Heller Homestead is about a half mile. I didn't really map the loop around the grist mill. Maybe I should have. Maybe less than two blocks.

The route will take you thru town, on the rail trail, almost to Lost Cave, the country club, the three historic sites, and around Dimmick Park. Should be good route.

52-Hike Challenge:   26/52
Miles/Steps:   2.5
Weather:        High 70s, sunny.
Wildlife:         2 cardinals, 2 blue jays, wood pecker
$ Found:         1 penny
Extras:           I was surprised to see that the Saucon Creek was so low. It has been raining, a lot.