it beat grading!

Yesterday I wore sneaker-shoes to school so I could walk between classes. I chose the Morris Canal in Stewartsville. The technical name is "Port Warren Park". This is on Rte. 519. When you pull out of the driveway it Greenwich Township.

I had downloaded the brochure about two weeks ago, there were no hours on it. My guess was dawn to dusk. As I pulled in I saw the sign that said 2nd Sunday of the month and I assumed it was for the museum. That's pretty typical for these small parks.  I did not read the rest of the sign. Oops. But really, what's the point of having a park that's only open one day a month? Oh, and I was not the only one exploring.

The road was steep and a single car wide. The canal trench was on one side and a forest on the other. I am so glad that I didn't meet any other cars on the driveway. There must be another entrance for events and school buses.

At the lot were the house and the museum. Park of it I think is still a home. Or maybe offices.

Plane 9 West is the longest inclined plane on the Morris Canal (about 1,600 feet) with the highest change in elevation (100 feet). Plane 9 West had a double-track. Two cradles meant that two boats could move at the same time, one coming up, one heading down. The other double-track planes along the Morris Canal were at Port Colden (Plane 6 West) and Newark (Plane 12 East).

I think I might have found the trail, but it went thru a corn field, so I'm not sure. Maybe it was the farmers path? Though it did have Warren County Markers on it.

There were a lot of cool artifacts like the turbine pit, and this race tunnel. I was kind-of wishing it was open so I could learn about these things.

Miles/Steps:            Maybe a half mile. There were random trail markers, but I wasn't really sure where they went
Weather:                 High 60s, sunny, no clouds. Perfect.

Wildlife:                  Flying birds

Bathrooms:             Didn't use. port 'o potty available.

worse 5K time ever

Today was the Lehigh Carbon Community College 5k & Zumba event. I adjunct there, so I get the emails and I thought it was a fun spin on a tried and true fundraiser. It was part of a broader fall festival on the college campus. It was a soggy, windy mess. Everything was moved inside but the race. My time 1:09. Sixty-nine minutes and I didn't take a single picture.

Remember the old joke about walking uphill in both directions to go to school. That's what this race was. 70% uphill. There was one steep downhill that I almost ran, and another smaller one. There were a few semi flats. The rest was up. Some rolling, some step, one a climb. It rained. The green leaves were falling with the wind and were slick. The wind gusted at time, and at one point I was going up a hill side stepping so the wind wouldn't knock me over. I felt like the guys on the weather channel reporting during a hurricane.

The course was a square. We left the gym and went to Old Orchard Road, followed that past the Trexler Nature (Game) Preserve to Packinghouse Lane. We followed that to Rt 309. Well, not quite. We went out an alley right before it, and back to the college. Then up the hill to campus and thru the quad for the finish.

By the second large hill the other walkers had passed me. I never caught up. By the time I reached the alley the sweep van was asking me if I wanted a ride. I was pretty sure I was last. I couldn't see people in front or in back of me. But when I crossed the finish, I said to the race official, now you can pack up. He said, nope. There's one more behind you. I was shocked.

When I went inside I was drenched. I had a raincoat on, and didn't take dry clothes. I told them I wouldn't be staying for Zumba. I just wanted to go home, peel off my wet clothes and take a long, hot shower.

Miles/Steps:            5K
Weather:                 43, drizzle to hard rains, 20-30 MPH winds with gusts to 40MPH.

Wildlife:                  none

Bathrooms:             didn't use

Extra:                      I arrived about 10 minutes before the race. It looked like the no-show rate was about 50%.

Extra:                      I'm not a "medal" type of person. More and more races are giving finisher medals. I think it all stems from grade school where modern children got a reward or certificate for everything. It can stop. Once my box is full, they'll go to Medals for Mettle. The kids get a medal for making it to the other side of chemo and other ghastly treatments.

pumpkin glow

Last night my brother Dave, his wife Barb, and her mom Alice went to Fairmont park to the The Glow—5000+ pumpkins in one place. Many were real (They spend the day carving and replacing), some imitation (the fine carved ones and sculptures), some painted, some even were animated with projection mapping.

Pumpkins were on the ground and hanging from trees like Christmas lights. It was a wonderful fall activity. It has little to nothing to do with walking. The trail was less than a half-mile. We probably walked further from the car and back.

I took a lot of photos but mostly they didn't come out. But then I expected that. The 17 minute You Tube video I watched helped a little. Who knew those settings were on my phone?

There were famous —mostly Philly—people lining the trails between "scenes". This section was historical. Others were actors, comedians, musicians, bands, ect.

The scenes were often Philly based like this section about mummers. At first I thought it was Mardi Gras, and then I remembered where I was. Of course the Mummers marching and dancing were skeletons. Others were historic houses, dinosaurs, and under/on top of the sea with cool jelly fish and huge sharks made of pumpkins.

My favorite was the winter area, where it was really snowing. The ground was covered and portions of the trees. The pumpkins were painted white and turned into snow people and snowflakes. There were snowflake pumpkins hanging in the trees.

And of course the the sports section was highlighted with the Super Bowl trophy—made of pumpkin of course.

 Of course, a carnival The ferris wheel was pumpkins, as was each game, and all the attendees.

This is just one of  many fields of pumpkins. The photos don't do it justice. (These are all real.)

All in all a great way to spend a night before Halloween.

the walk that wasn't

The other day I was on google maps, mapping something out. I can't remember what. On the Lehigh U Mountaintop campus I saw something called the witches trail. There was actually several trails marked in the woods.  I was thinking that maybe they were part of the South Mountain trail system.

Lydia was off today, so we decided to go to find the "Witch Trail".  We took the dog. It was right off Atlas Drive, before the print shop. We couldn't find it. Nor could we find any evidence that there was ever a trail there. In fact, it was a steep drop next to the road we were on. We did found the spur road, that had a no-trespassing sign.

So then we went to plan B. Hiking up the hill from Upper Sayre Park Road to the secret art park. It turns out that it has been abandoned. It's overgrown with waist high weeds. Pieces are falling apart.

So then we hiked back down the hill to cross the little bridge.

The last time we were here there was a bit of a hill to get to the bridge. Erosion had made it a steep incline to climb down to cross the bridge. We didn't. Strike two.

Then Lydia said let's go park at the lookout and hike about the frat houses. Strike three. There is now no parking at the lookout. I dropped her off to take the pic, and headed down the hill to turn around. 

We gave up and went home and winter-proofed the house. Not quite the exercise I planned on.

Yesterday driving home from school I discovered that park in Greenwich Township or Stewartsville (NJ) ... They all blend together. It is now open. One day I'll check out the walking trail there. Another to check out is in Stewartsville, and there is supposed to be a Morris Canal path there. Lots to do after school. Too bad I have more classes at two. I can barely check out where they are for future reference.

Miles/Steps:             1/2 mile. Maybe
Weather:                  50s, overcast, windy.

Wildlife:                   seven doe

golv: wayne grube county park

Saturday's walk was at Wayne Grube Park in Weaversville, sort-of. The reason I say that is because it is off Weaversville Road. But Get Out Lehigh Valley sent us up Willowbrook Road, past the new FedEx center and the horse farm.

This isn't really anew walk for me. I was here once, with Adonis. We stopped on the way from Lydia's house in the trailerhood. We walked from the lot to the Nor-Bath. It was maybe a half mile total. I knew there had to be more of the park than I was seeing, and there is.

For a change I followed the directions I was given, and it's a good thing I did. I would have never found them. This park is linear, sort-of, with entrances at two places. We met at Pavilion One, and there was a comfort station and two pavilions, as well as a huge playset.

We headed into the woods over a small bridge crossing the Catty Creek. Then we headed east on a s-shaped path going under the road.

Eventually we arrived at the area I initially discovered. And continued on the path to the Nor Bath trail. We followed that to Savage Road, crossed the street and continued on the extension thru the subdivision. We were into Northampton when we turned around and came back.

52-hike challenge:   52/52 COMPLETED!
Miles/Steps:             4 miles
Weather:                  55, overcast, windy.

Wildlife:                   blue heron flying. Dead mouse and wooly caterpillar

Bathrooms:              I-4.5 Still. Four years after I first went into one of their comfort stations they are still clean.

day 3: salisbury, maryland

Today's walk began at the hotel, in the rain. We did the river walk that I discovered the first night we were at the hotel. The 10K route used almost the whole thing, the 5K-ers  moved into downtown and the historic district before coming back thru an industrial area to the hotel.

Most of the town burned in a fire around the civil war, so the buildings were all less than 150 years old. There were some great art deco buildings.

Downtown was wonderful and had a few historic sites. The first one had beautiful stained glass and victorian architecture. It was the first synagogue on the eastern shore. It is now a Christian Church. Many of the sites on this walk involved churches.

At Trinity United Methodist Church there was a cemetery on the front lawn. Right in the front was a tombstone for "My Sallie: The Bride of Christ." Legend has it that Sallie died on her wedding day before the ceremony. 

And we also passed the first African American church and church school on the eastern shore.

There was also the Poplar Hill Mansion which featured a 5.5 hole outhouse. But it's only open two Sunday's a month.

We returned to the hotel and there was 1.5 hours left before the bus left. We could have done the 10K. The rain had finally stopped. Apparently the hotel's coffee was horrible so Angel and I walked the mile to Dunkin Donuts and she also did some shopping at Goodwill.

52-hike challenge:   51/52
Miles/Steps:            7.5 for the whole day
Weather:                 52 at 9 am, rainy. Clear by the end.

Extra 1:                   The hospital across the street has a dedicated walking route. These are the signs.

Extra 2:                    On the way home we stopped at Dover Downs and got to walk up the steep sides. A couple of older members needed a hand, but we all made it. After a tour, we took the bus around the race track. I video tapped it from the outside, and Angel from the inside. See the videos here. 

This sculpture was made in Lancaster. It's fiberglass and took a whole day to assemble. The "hall of fame" is the base.

day 2: easton and st. michael's, maryland

This morning before the bus pulled out of the hotel I went exploring. I had to check out the riverwalk that runs right next to the hotel. It does indeed run next to each side of the river. However, the river is no longer natural. It's more like a canal, or maybe a swimming pool! It runs a fair distance and ends at the zoo.

I didn't measure it, but I probably only walked a half mile or so. I made it to the bus with five minutes to spare.

Our first official stop was in Easton, Maryland. It's a small town near Harriet Tubman's birthplace. It also has something to do with Frederick Douglas, but I don't know what.  The walk began at a Y and went thru residential neighborhoods, the historic district, downtown, and returned on a rail trail. The highlight was a peak inside a 1681 Quaker Meetinghouse. (Angel's video).

This walk was guide, so the 5K and 10K people stayed together. The 5K people took a group photo at the train station on the rail trail.

Also on the rail trail we saw a trailer being dumped. But it looked like they were swallowing the whole truck!

Then it was back on the bus to head to St. Michaels where we went to the Maritime Museum and had a river cruise on the "Patriot". I could have stayed at the museum longer. I had to go there. There was a lighthouse! (Angel's video) And it only had about 50 stairs. And a little trap door to crawl thru. It was not super hard to get out, but getting back in was a bear. It is short and what's called a screw pile style.

After a quick lunch we met at the boat for the river cruise. (Angel's video) It was cold, but not as cold as yesterday. And today I got to pilot the ship. Yep, I drove a boat. Of course the captain was right next to me and I'm pretty certain it was on auto-pilot.

On the way back we were told about tomorrows walk. It begins at the hotel and goes out the back door. The River Trail! I think we might just do the 6K

52-hike challenge:   50/52
Miles/Steps:            7 for the whole day
Weather:                 52 at 9 am, cool, partly cloudy.

Wildlife:                  seagulls, a water snake, and two bald eagles. It was a good day. No deer swimming. Apparently that is a somewhat regular occurrence.

day 1: cape may and the eastern shore

Today, before the crack of dawn, in the rain, we left for a bus trip to Cape May and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The trip is with my walking group the Liberty Bell Wanderers, and in my car was the three musketeers -- Angel, Bonnie and I.

We arrived at the VE in Warminster at 6:50. Not bad considering it was just getting light. After boarding the bus, we heard "On the Road Again" coming over the PA system, then headed on the road to Cape May. We stopped once for a 15 minute break and I called my sister Barb and wished her a happy birthday! Personally, I think the road stop was unnecessary. Maybe it was because as we started to move they played "On the Way to Cape May".

Upon arrival in Cape May, the POC hadn't arrived yet, so club president Dave, collected our books to wait for her. Instructions in hand, we followed the masses going the wrong direction. In the light rain.

We had planned on doing more than a 5K, but less than a 10K. The route took us thru Washington Mall, past the Victorian Houses, and along the beach. With the snafu at the beginning, and missing a turn, we walked almost the full official 10K.

Lunch was at the Big Ugly Head Bar where we sat outside. We were the only crazy people out there. It was cool, breezy and sunny. Why be inside? Then we poked around a few shops before heading back to the bus, we had a 2:30 ferry to catch!

We were early, but then they didn't check everyone's IDs. That would have taken some time. Finally it was time to board. This was a deluxe ferry. Very swanky. With tables, a gift shop, a bar,  and everything. We should have brought playing cards for the 85 minute trip!

Bonnie stayed inside and Angel and I took periodic trips outside. We saw a line of five oil freighters lined up to get refilled in port, a WWII tower, and three lighthouses. The lighthouses were Cape May, in Jersey and  Harbor of Refuge (white) and Delaware Breakwater East End in Delaware. The wind was much stronger than on shore. I'm glad I took my sweatshirt. I looked like a big red Pillsbury Dough Boy. Good thing I'm not vain.

Then it was more time on the road to reach our hotel for two nights, a LaQuinta Inn. I didn't get a copy of the itinerary, but I think there is another walk, and a eco-water tour thing in the bay. There is also a trail next to the hotel that is on both sides of the Wicomico River. I think I'll get up early and walk part of it. I wish I would have known that today was #walkmaryland day, I would have done the trail tonight.

Did I mention I signed up for a 13 mile walk Nov. 3? Probably not.

52-hike challenge:   49/52
Miles/Steps:            8.5 for the whole day
Bathroom:               I-4.25 at the transportation center

Weather:                 cool, rain to start then partly cloudy.

Wildlife:                  enough seagulls of various types to cast a Hitchcock movie. Dolphins (or maybe porpoises). There were several, but they are hard to count. 1 monarch butterfly. 

water review: 1907

I saw this water when I was shopping in Rednor's the other day, so I had to buy a quart, since it was on sale for a buck. It's been a while since I did a water review since I've already tasted most of the big brands.

As everyone knows, I'm cheap. (I prefer frugal.) I'm also an eco-brat. So I drink mostly tap water—I've paid for it once, why would I pay for it again? I often carry it with me. I'm way to cheap to spend two bucks regularly for a bottle of water. Lucky for me Bethlehem's water isn't gross. I cannot say the same thing for Allentown, Easton, and Washington, NJ. When I'm at WCCC and waterless, I do spend the two bucks to get it from the machine. The water there is disgusting. And I think it gave me some gastric issues the last time I tried it. 

My first water review was in January of 2012. I started because I saw something on the news. There was this group of ladies with some rare disease that all the could drink was water. Much different than aquagenic urticaria where you are allergic to water. They talked about how they were constantly sipping water. So much that they were having a fund-raiser for the disease and it was a water tasting. I thought it was an odd concept. But they were talking about water like my brother Dave talks about wine and spirits, and my colleague talks about beer. Things like flavor-notes, and how this one was earthy, or whatever. When I was looking for the first post I discovered I've done 12 posts about water. One had multiple waters featured. 

This water did have a flavor. I guess you could call it earthy because it tasted ... not metallic ... but what I guess a stone would taste like if you licked it. Not that I have. Or at least not since I was four.

Their website says the water comes from  "an ancient artesian source in New Zealand, naturally alkaline water continually rises to the surface to rebalance and replenish our bodies from daily stresses. Our well-balanced electrolytes not only help rebalance and replenish your body, they create a soft, almost sweet, smooth and silky taste that nature has fine-tuned over centuries."

I guess that's all well and good, but it came from New Zealand. It's eco-impact was huge. The plastic bottle, the boat and other transportation. I can't be drinking this on a regular basis.

gaga

Today I walked down to ArtsQuest to see "A Star Is Born".  The great part of this theatre is that is within walking distance, cheaper than the megaplex (but not as cheap as the Roxy), and it doesn't show super heroes or things that blow up. I'm actually surprised this was here. It's a little main stream for them.

Gaga was great. I was surprised how well Bradley Cooper did. Whoever dyed Gaga's hair Ronald McDonald orange should haven been fired.

The coming attractions say the Freddy Mercury/Queen biopic is coming. Another big surprise. Guess I'll be doing my walk there again.

They've been doing a lot of work on Second Street. I'm hoping for new sidewalks because I could reroute the south Bethlehem walk there. There's a lot of shade from old sycamore trees. My wish has come true —new sidewalks! I'm not sure why they are curvy, but I love them! I continued along second until I arrived at Founder's Way and then turned down to enter the theatre.

Underestimating the humidity, I arrived at the theatre sweaty. I was hoping it wasn't full because I was sweaty and stinky. It wasn't I sat alone, with a couple of seats all around me. No gas masks needed!

On the way home I walked thru Octoberfest. It was okay. I saw these painted kegs. They were kind of fun.

52-hike challenge:   48/52
Miles/Steps:            just under 5 miles
Bathroom:               I-2.5 at the ArtsQuest Center. Octoberfest has brought in lots of people and they are slobs!

Weather:                 mid-80s, sunny, humid.

SLFlies Killed:         3