golv: wayne grube park

 Today was the Get Out Lehigh Valley walk at Wayne Grube Park. I had meant to email Debbie to see if she wanted to come along and totally spaced it. Some days I'm not bright.

It was a beautiful sunny day for a walk. I knew it was a bit windy—I could hear it—but I didn't realize how windy. When I arrived at the park in a t-shirt and my Tail on the Trail fleece, I was cold. Thankfully there is always a sweatshirt in the car. I put it on.

I'm on the far right. Left of the lady in orange.

We followed the same route as last October.  We followed the path over the bridge and across the park, parallel with the road. Then under the road winding down to the other entrance. Then thru the park to the Nor-Bath where we turned right and walked out to Weaversville Road. We retraced our steps coming back.

Mostly. You know me, always the renegade.

Near the entrance to the trail I saw many signs that said "Nature Trail". They were on both sides of the creek. When I saw the one closest to the bridge I took it. Alone. I figured it followed the creek, crossed over, and then came back. But it didn't Maybe. There are signs on both sides of the creek.

I headed back the way I came. It did look like it continued on the other side, probably ending at Willow Brook Road. But that would not have taken long. I headed down the creek and the very narrow trail wound along. In about a half mile I saw a bridge in the distance. Aha, I thought, the cross over. Right before the bridge there was a cluster of nature trail signs. One went out toward the asphalt path. One, no two, continued forward. The last one went over the bridge. The problem was I saw no signs on that side of the creek. There were new tree plantings, maybe that's why.

I turned around and came back. Then followed the path out toward the asphalt trail. I ended at the grove of trees, I could go right and end up at the red barn, or I could go left and back the way I came. I went left and eventually reconnected with the asphalt trail.

Then I headed to the Bethlehem Food Coop earth day event and craft show. I parked at least a 1/4 mile away. The lots were full. Oddly, I didn't see many people there. My brother was selling boomerangs outside, praying they didn't fly away. Because it was a crunchy granola hippie event, everything was organic and natural. I was hoping someone would be doing henna. I wasn't disappointed.

Miles/Steps:             5.25 miles
Weather:                  60, sunny, up to 37 MPH wind

Wildlife:                   sharp-shinned hawk (accipiter striatus), garter snake (thamnophis), butterfly. Many swallows, but I don't know which type. I think I saw them at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Also a lot of chirping, but I wasn't with anyone who could do bird id.

Bathrooms:              Open. But I didn't go in