foraging on the d&l

Yesterday I went walking on the D&L. I had heard that Freemansburg had an official trailhead and parking. I thought I would go check it out. Entering the canal in Freemansburg is still a real PIA.

Clearly I was mistaken. It was worse than normal. Canal Street goes a little bit and then it turns into a private drive. Now the parking lot next door — where I always parked before — has "no parking" unless you are a customer signs up. Down about halfway, there is a new, accessible, pedestrian bridge by the boat dock...but that isn't open yet...and there are 2 parking spots. I ended up parking on the street.

From the street is a path, fenced off on either side of "private property". They clearly do not want strangers bothering them.

Two school buses were parked on Canal Street. So it was a clear indication that were children going to be about. And they were, in groups with costumed volunteers and little tents were set up all over. But I never expected to see these signs on a hiking trail.  The one above is on the township side of the mule barn. The other is about a block more toward Bethlehem, where you come down from town. That one looks like it moves. This one doesn't.

I walked about a mile and a half toward Bethlehem Township,  and along the way I met a forager. I saw his bike lying down and at first I thought he fell. As I got closer I could tell he was picking things. Again, foraging didn't come to mind. I thought he was digging out invasive plants. He was picking stinging nettles, for tea. Apparently it's the perfect time of the year to forage and his supplies from spring were depleted. He was wearing gloves, and had a scissor, just cutting leaves. He also had a supply of zipper bags.

I don't know if you've ever encountered stinging nettles, but they accurately named.  When I got into them it was at least an hour of stinging afterwards. No way I'd drink it. But in the course of my conversation I learned that there are a very healthy plant, great for the liver and kidneys, and a couple other things.  The stingers are mostly on the stems. The leaves have few.  Once they are washed, dried and ground they disappear.

When I returned he was no longer there.

After passing the mule barn I continued down to look at the new bridge. It is really close to opening. But not yesterday. I turned around and headed back to the car.

52-hike challenge:   47/52
Miles/Steps:            3.5

Weather:                 PERFECT—72, sunny.

Wildlife:                  13 geese and 1 duck on the north side of Freemansburg, none on the south side.

Extra:                      As I was talking to the forager, looking up at him, and then down to what he was showing me, I noticed his fly was open. I didn't say anything. Is that wrong?

Extra 2:                   As I was headed toward the pedestrian bridge, a group of students and their chaperones crossed the trail. One man's pocket must have vibrated. He answered with a "What's Wrong?" a reply, I'm guessing. "You're only to call me with an emergency. I'm on a field trip with my child. This is not an emergency. Figure it out." Hangs up. Parenting and Boss win.