people showed up!

I can't believe I have done Volkssport walks three weekends in a row. That hasn't happened in a long time. This week I hosted the Bethlehem-South walk and people came!

Only one person has done this walk, so everything was new. The hills only bothered me. We spent quite a lot of time on the trestle. Signs were read. Photos were taken. And dog was carried -- since dogs aren't allow on the trestle.

It was a 10K. it's been awhile since I've done a full 10K. Yet alone one with so many freakin hills. What was I thinking when I designed this walk? I was tired, but I made it. I felt 300% better after removing my sneakers.

52-hike challenge:  45/52
Miles/Steps:           10K
Weather:                 mid to high-60s, sunny... finally.

Killed SLFlies:         I personally killed nearly a dozen. New street was littered with their corpses.

jordan creek park

It finally stopped raining. I start a lot of posts like this. In summer it was heat, humidity and rain. In autumn the pattern continues with rain ... and cold. The weather is so wacky.

Lydia had off today, so she mentioned last night we could walk. She never wants to walk so I seized the opportunity. She suggested Columcille Megalith Park in Bangor. I really wasn't feeling the hour drive, but why not. My alternative was stuck in the house grading.

It poured all night. And this morning it looked like it was going to pour any second. It was also kind-of cold. I didn't want to climb around and hike at Columiclle. This was a day for urban walking.

I had to go to the grocery store, the hardware store, and the dollar store. I told her we were headed toward Airport Road and maybe we could walk the new American Parkway bridge. She agreed. We headed out to walk first, since the groceries had the potential to spoil. We tried three different ways to find parking, but none were successful. It was at least a additional half-mile walk to get to the bridge. That's for another day.

We were doing a spin around the block and I saw the Sumner Avenue. I said, I know a park and it's close. I missed the driveway by the taco place, so we used the main entrance to Jordan Park.  Right by the children's area. A group of Latino people were gathered with empty shopping carts. We thought they were homeless. But the lot was full of cars, and they had a table, tablecloth, food, and a killer card game going.

I headed straight to the swings. Lydia started to take pictures. As we began to walk we could see that the creek was fast and high. 

I wanted to show Lyd the outdoor gym. It was flooded. Hit waders need for workouts. Or at least wellies.

Then we started to notice these giant puddles on the path. But we persevered.

This is the creek. See what I mean?

There was about an inch between the top of the wall and the top of the water. Lydia was jumping trying to get an in-air shot. If she would have fell in they'd be pulling her out of the Lehigh. Or maybe the Delaware.

The park has some old trees, and some great exposed root.

Play time was over. Off to the supermarket. Ick.

52-hike challenge:  44/52
Miles/Steps:           2 miles
Weather:                 low-60s, cloudy, very windy.

Wildlife:                  1 yellow caterpillar with black spots 

hibernia county park

Driving down to Wolf's Hollow I saw a sign for Hibernia County Park. I decided if I had time, I'd check it out on my way back. Unlike Wolf's Hollow, this one was well marked from the highway. 

I didn't know a thing about this park. So I was surprised to see a marker for "mansion". It also had a park office, playground, camping, boating and all kinds of stuff. The perfect place for a stay-cation. It looks like they rent out the mansion for events. (Instead of leaving it fall to ruins like they did at the Hornfleck Mansion in Bethlehem Township.) They even offer tours of the mansion which "explores ruins, structures and landscape features located on Forest Hill and Forge Trails and Lion’s Head Drive that tell the story of Hibernia’s past." 

Since I had already done the 5K, I chose to do the short, 1/2 mile "lake loop. These trails are also quite different that Wolfs Hollow. Natural, but covered with very fine gravel, more like the D&L. The park is 900 acres so there are a lot of trails.

The path I followed had the worlds smallest bird blind!

I'm glad I stopped. I usually am. Have brown sign will travel. It also felt good to go to two places I hadn't been before. I doubt I will go back to Wolf's Hollow, but I will certainly go back here. Maybe I'll do a stay-cation in one of the cabins. My tent days are over.

Miles/Steps:           Less than 1 mile

Weather:                 70, Sunny, becoming overcast

wolfs hollow county park

Today I did a volkssport walk in Wolf's Hollow County Park in Chester County. It was sponsored by the Chester Red Rovers. I went back and forth several times whether or not I wanted to go. It would be a two-hour ride to walk for an hour or two. Ultimately, I decided I needed to get the hell out of the house.

I followed my google printout just fine until the very end. I couldn't find the road to make the last turn. I knew I was close. I was driving past a golf course. Back to back open spaces make sense. Remarkably, there were no signs marking it from the county or the Rovers. I ended up on someone's farm. I had to turn around and go back. Before I did, I turned the GPS on my phone on. I'll just be careful with my data to make up for it. It was only running about 10 minutes.

Now the google maps often directions tell me things like "Dunkin' Donuts on right". I guess a golf course isn't a good enough landmark to mention. My guess is these "landmarks" are paid advertisements.

The GPS said it would take me to the road. Not the address. It was unable to do that. Of course, she didn't talk again.

The funny thing was as I kept turning around and trying different roads two other cars were doing the same thing. Guess what? We were all going to the same park!

I parked in the lot and headed to check-in. I signed-in and received the directions and headed on the trail. I quickly realized that this was not a hike I should be doing alone. The website describes the park as "The 569 acre park lies along the uppermost reaches of the Octoraro Creek and the south rise of the broadening Great Chester Valley. These natural features provide beautiful bluffs where visitors can overlook the creek and glades of Mountain Laurel. Nearly ten miles of trails wind through varied topography, providing hikers with routes ranging from moderate to challenging. Birders appreciate the several hundred acres of mature woodland habitat that attract many less commonly observed birds such as Brown Thrashers, Scarlet Tanagers and Baltimore Orioles."

It was well marked by the Rovers.

I had my hiking stick. And my phone was mostly dead. Oops.

When we arrived in clearings we past the Orchard House (above), and the Manor House. There was supposed to be ruins of a boat house but I never found them.

For awhile we followed the paved road. This is called the "fence trail." After missing the turn to turn back into the woods, I ended up walking back to the lot using the road.

52-hike challenge:   43/52
Miles/Steps:            5k
Bathroom:               P-4.5 at park. I think it was just cleaned. It still smelled like disinfectant.

Weather:                 mid-60s, sunny, breezy.

Wildlife:                  1 doe, a bunch of vultures or buzzards circling

Extra:                      The organizers had pizza delivered to the park!

Extra2:                    I saw three horse and buggies driving in. They were all headed the other direction.

recycled my sneakers

Usually at the LBW picnic and Christmas party they have a bin for recycling sneakers. But there wasn't one this year. I had three of my pairs, and one of Sharon's in the car. Drats.

Driving home I remembered at New Balance they had a box for sneaker recycling. Instead of turning onto 378 to go home, I stayed on 309, and went to the Promenade Mall. Not someplace I frequent, and certainly not on a weekend. But I found a space almost in the right area.

I headed to New Balance and dropped all the sneaks in the box.

And my car keys too. Oops.

The clerk and I had to dump the box of icky sneakers to get my keys. I'm sure he doused himself with hand sanitizer when he was done.

fort washington state park

Yesterday was the Liberty Bell Wanderers annual picnic at Fort Washington State Park. It's a lovely park with a hawk observation deck a couple of playgrounds and some terrific hiking trails.  I was planning on doing the 10K, but I hooked up with some elder members and we did the 6K. We stopped a lot so I could take pics of some of the walkers.

I'm pretty sure we did this park for the state parks walk program, maybe two years ago. I also think I did a 5K here once.

52-hike challenge:   42/52
Miles/Steps:            6k
Bathroom:               I-4.5 at park. That comfort station must have been brand new. I almost gave it a 5.

Weather:                 mid-60s, overcast to start, sunny at end. Humid.

Extra:                      Apparently if you are a 3-ton pedestrian you can't cross this bridge.

Extra 2:                      Bonnie gave me her old Fit-Bit. She now has the fancy watch. I can measure milage gain.

fit camp is over

Well, it's been over for about a week. I just never posted the picture.

In pink, a newbie Herbalife "coach'' I never got her name. She's got two boys that run all over the playground while we're working out; then me, Coach Suki in grey, and Coach Tiffany in black. Coach Suki is holding a water bottle of the famous tea. The one that's got more caffine than an energy drink.

doylestown

Friday Bonnie sent me a text about walking with the child today. Someplace with a playground.

I decided to pick Doylestown volkssport walk and then for the child, the "kids castle".  It's in Central Park, and is a 4-level climbing structure with slides and everything. We didn't tell the child.

We arrived at the Y to sign in and I went to open the door and smacked the child in the head with the door. Day is not off to a good start. We begin walking with him running to the corner and stopping. Just like last time. Then, at one corner he got bold and decided to cross the street himself. I yelled. The whole block heard me. And then I said sternly "We do not cross the street alone." He started to cry and buried himself in Bonnie's crotch. Aunt Gayle is a meanie.

All was forgiven when we reached the Michner. There were castles and log cabins and giant sculptures. And of course the big puzzle (labyrinth) were you had to stay inside the brick lines and could cheat to get to the middle. He enjoyed it so much he ran it the second time.

We noticed a tent coming toward the museum. I thought it was the farmer's market. Wrong. As we made our way to Main Street it was the Doylestown Art Festival. We abandoned the volkssport route and walked around the festival. Neither Bonnie nor I brought any money. We plan to go back next year with money.

In the parking lot of the Y is a playground. We are walking across the lot and the child asks Bonnie if we could stop at the playset. She told him no. We had a bigger surprise in hand.

And then we took him to the Castle. You can't tell from this picture -- he looks pissed --he had a blast. We had a hard time getting him to leave. I tried following him around inside but he was too quick. And the spaces were narrow. And had little head space. But I did make it to the top and came down the wooden slide.

This park is amazing. There are trails, courts and fields, one of those walking fitness trails and a second clustered one like a Jordan park. You need to pack a cooler and spend the day.

52-hike challenge:   41/52
Miles/Steps:            less than 3 on the walk. And at least a mile at the playground.Bathroom:               None on walk, I-3.5 at park

Weather:                 69, overcast, and "10 mile per hour" winds. (The child's estimate!)

Extra:                      I had gone to the comfort station as was walking down the path back to the castle. I was behind a family with two tween boys. One overweight. He asked to go to the castle. The father said "No. I'm afraid you'll get stuck." I was livid. I felt like a fire breathing dragon. I just wanted to say "Dumbass. I fit." But I didn't.

when in rome ... i mean reading ...

Writing Wrongs wrapped up today at noon. I had two choices. Go home or go somewhere. I picked B.

As I established on Friday, I didn't take sneakers. And I started heading toward home trying to pick a place. Then I decided the Pagoda. Totally back on the other side of the city. Oh well.

Again, I tried my GPS. I got maps, but no voice. When I arrived at the area where the parks are, there were a lot of triangular turns and the 15 minute trip took 25 minutes. It's hard to follow when the GPS doesn't talk and there are no stop signs for you to look at the directions. As I was driving up the hill I noticed a lot of trails. Many were over grown, but a few were still well groomed. I need to find out the names of the parks to get trail maps to explore there. I know it will be rustic and hilly.

When I finally arrived at the Pagoda I was a bit surprised. I remembered a big green lawn. But it was built up, more like a park. But the park was not new. It is showing signs of wear, and many "paths" were closed. I'm guessing for safety reasons.

In case you haven't seen this tourist trap, the "Pagoda is 7 stories high, 28 feet wide, 50 feet long,  standing 620 feet above the City of Reading and 866 feet above sea level". If it was open I could have climbed the 87 stairs to the top. But alas it was a holiday and it was closed.

There were poop-loads of spotted lantern flies. I personally squished at least two dozen. Everyone was walking around and stomping bugs. The half dozen college-aged Indian men on the floor above me were having a contest -- who could stomp the most bugs!

I was wearing flip flops, not even Birks, so I wanted to stay on paved trails. None of the trails going down were open. It was frustrating. I saw one that went up. But it was rustic, I decided to take it. I'm an idiot. I could have broken something, and left to die covered with spotted lantern flies.

I was able to get a much better picture from that point of view. Coming back I saw the paved trail. How I missed it going up is beyond me. It was crappy but better than what I took up.

The GPS failed me coming down as well. All those triangles without street signs. I needed a navigator. I was on a main street and going down hill. I figured sooner or later I'd end up in the city. That's when I saw this tower. It's the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower and stands 120 feet tall, with 120 steel stairs.  It is only open one Sunday a month. 

When I reached the bottom of the hill I found Route 12. It went east. I took it. Then I saw a sign that said Allentown, and took that road. Ultimately I ended up on Route 222 and headed home.

I didn't do much walking, but I had fun. And it delayed homecoming for three hours.

When I got home I tried to show Lydia how the GPS didn't talk. It did. I'm wondering if it doesn't talk in the car because it's synced to the car's bluetooth. I'm going to test it tomorrow.

writing wrongs weekend

It's been another steamy week in eastern Pennsylvania. Wednesday I went to Fit Camp. It was me, two coaches, the pregnant girl and that's about it, until the late woman rolled in about 6:20. We did the walking loop and I was wiped. You could cut the air with a knife. While I was gone they were talking about cancelling. Coach Suki decided to run the track and see how hot it was. She made it half way and walked the rest of the way. That was it. Camp was over. It was supposed to be the last week but they are going to have it one last week. Watch it rain.

 The New VF outlet in the old Reading Glass Outlet Building.

What's left of the old buildings. From the position I think this one was "Blue".

I'm not really walking this weekend. I'm at Writing Wrongs, a community journalism project. I'm the design adviser. It began last night at a swanky Hampton Inn. This morning the kids left for a field trip, and I was left in Reading with my own devices. Pat wanted me to stop at the Vanity Fair outlet for some items. (Barb, VF has moved out of the old factory, which is being redeveloped and into the old Reading China and Glass building. All the outbuildings are also coming down.)

I decided to look on Google maps to see what was close by the hotel. Maybe there was a park.

I found an arboretum! Perfect. But it rained like hell again yesterday and I am wearing flip flops. I expected to spend the weekend in a hotel putting a book together in a weekend. I wasn't prepared. But when did that stop me from exploring?

I don't have access to a printer, so I wrote the directions. And then, in an act of braveness, I decided to splurge and use my data on the phone and the GPS. I found the address, and VF was 8 minutes away. The museum was another 3 minutes.  I got to the car, hit "start" and the lady told me to turn right onto the street that was in front of me. Then she shut up! The directions were appearing on my phone but I had to look at them. Why not just write them on paper?

Then at VF, I hit the second location. This time she didn't talk at all, and she gave me directions once. The map was showing me I was headed in the right direction, but I wasn't getting directions. I figured it out myself. Plus I had to work around a street fair or 5K.

When I found the arboretum I quickly discovered that the storm played havoc here. The one bridge was washed out. Several sections of the road were covered with muck. While walking I slid a lot. At one point I almost slid into a nun who was walking in the grass to avoid the trail. There were pools of water everywhere sometimes on the grass, sometimes on the trail. The creek was running at top speed but no longer over the banks.

I probably only walked a mile or so before I came to the washed out bridge. Then I had to turn around and come back.

There was plenty of sculpture on the grounds. It was because of the sculpture that I realized I had been here before. My "new" walk turns out o be a place I was before. Back when Megan's son was a baby, we did a Reading Volkssport walk. We walked thru this arboretum. Drats. It's not a new walk or an incredible discovery.

But I haven't been to the museum. So I went there. And the art galleries were closed.  Oh well. I saw stuffed animals, and ancient Egypt, and Asia. Typical museum stuff. There was a cool collection of political editorial cartoons from the Regan era. The "feature" was a space futuristic theme. Not my speed, but I was a bit taken aback when I saw C3PO and R2D2, and the new little orange and white rolling guy. (I've been told that is BB-8.)

Then it was back to the hotel to Writing Wrongs.