canal path, northampton

The original canal path in Northampton runs next to the canal, not the river. The current D&L in this section is a rail to trail. Today we followed the path that follows the canal.

It's interesting because on one side of the street the canal is filled in and there are parking lots and streets and buildings. On the other side there is a canal.

The first part has ruins of a canal lock. We found two, or was it three, locks. This is also were there used to be a sunken canal boat. They must have pulled it out at some point. The things that look like railroad track above are what's left of the gates to the lock. The cold cellar is self-evident.

This portion runs thru some sort of RV campground. There were signs for scavenger hunts. There were many people fishing (without masks).

Much of the canal is filled with algae and duck weed. This section is crisp and clear. There were three bridges that went over to a quarry lake.

Pam was the first to find turtles. When we stopped this log had a family of 5 on it. They jumped in quickly.

Then we came to this boardwalk across the canal, and this set of steep stairs going up to the railroad tracks. There were treads missing. I had a hard time going up and a worse time coming back. I should listen to my body and stop having these kind of adventures.

We returned to the trail and found another lock. This one had a partial gate.

I'm guessing these rings were used to hitch the mules while taking the boat thru the locks. And the crane above is to pull the ropes. I could be wrong.

I decided to take a selfie here at the lock. I'm pretty bad at it since we can't see the lock.

Even I'm not stupid enough to take this ladder across the creek.

Earlier someone passed us (without a mask) and we saw him coming back. When we asked how much further the trail went he said a half-mile. It ends at a power tower. He also told us there were turkey and deer. We didn't see any. I guess we were too nosey.

This log across the road was the end of the trail. The power tower is over my right shoulder. We turned around and headed back.

Miles/Steps:              4.5 miles 

Weather:                   didn't look. It was warm, breezy, cloudy 
Wildlife:                    mallards, geese, goslings, blue jays, northern red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris, and the cutest chocolate mini poodle. 
PPE found:                NONE!

another section of the d&l complete

Yesterday Pam and I walked from North Catty to Northampton on the D&L. This section is a little rustic, but not nearly as bad as it was before.

I'm hoping now that the Northampton-Coplay Bridge is finished that they will complete this section of the trail.

There is a lot of really cool ruins on this trail. It must have been an important section of the D&L or the railroad. And a lot of graffiti.

There is also a lot of construction debris. Pam used some of it to take a phone call break.

 

I took pictures of the debris. We encountered many more people and dogs on this walk in the Northampton Section called Heritage Park. I haven't been there since Lydia moved back to Bethlehem so the big thing I noticed was it now has a fitness course. Of course, like all other recreation areas, all the equipment is closed because of C19. 

Maybe the large showing was because of the weekend of rain. Everyone needed to get the heck out of the house. We both had masks on to coverup when we saw people. I don't like wearing it, my glasses steam up. We even saw some North Catty public works people working near the trailhead.

We're going to go to the Northampton canal trail next. Not the D&L but along the actual canal. There used to be a canal boat in the canal, and a small bridge. We'll see. Hopefully tomorrow.

Miles/Steps:                5 miles

Weather:                     50s, cloudy, trying hard not to rain
Wildlife:                      starlings, redpoles, bluejays
PPE found:                  NONE!

earth day walk

Today Pam and I walked on the D&L from Catty to North Catty, I guess. It was about two miles out, and then back. We took trash bags and gloves to clean up the trash. We filled two large bags.

This section of the D&L is a little rustic. Some of it is path, some natural, some roots, some gravel. A little bit of everything. It runs between railroad tracks and the canal. There are a lot of stone ruins. Apparently people also do target practice here.

There is also a old rusty railroad bridge. Pam took all the photos.

Miles/Steps:                4 miles 

Weather:                     low-50s, sunny, windy 
Wildlife:                       blue jays and a garter snake. There was also a male mallard having a hissy fit. Pam soon discovered why. His partners was dead sitting on the nest.
PPE found:                  1 glove. But it was a cleaning glove, like the old Playtex gloves. Does that count?

volkssport walk in souderton

Easter weekend I received an email from the walk committee to update the LBW website information. It was copied to several people. As with all volunteer groups, there was a lot of given and take on what it should say. I hate "reply all". I pretty much told them to fight it out and let me know when the real words were ready and I would change them. One of the people in the conversation said can we add the Souderton walk since we're updating things. Sure.

I was excited. There are few walks north of Philly. Other than the two Bethlehem walks, for awhile it was just Doylestown. Then they added Perkasie. I went to my.ava.org, found the walk, and discovered that it had the dreaded online startbox. I hate the "online" startbox. I was told it was "new and improved". I'm jaded. I had my doubts. But it was better. I sent this reply:

Website updated.

I have to tell you I shuttered when I saw it was on online startbox.  Let's just say we've had a horrible relationship. Back in '16 I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread and signed up for an AT walk (on the old California site). It went okay. Then I signed up for another section in '17. It didn't look like it took, and when all was said and done, I had signed up for the same walk 5 times. I depleted all the money I had in the account and I now have 5 stamps on a card. Four of which I'll need to cross out when I ultimately print it.

So I put on my big girl panties and tried to sign up for Souderton thru MyAVA. It was remarkably easy. It was not a giant pain in the tush like the old one. I was pleasantly surprised.

Maybe, just maybe, the online startbox and I can be friends after all. The jury is still out.

Gayle

Betty replied. This was her walk and do I want to do the walk with her. We planned for today. I drove down and met her at her house, and we headed out.  But first, we donned masks. Mine was a bandana that was folded. Betty used a scarf and looked like a high-class bank robber. 

First, we walked on the trail that goes thru her 55+ Development. Apparently, there are a lot of them in Souderton. We went past three and the Souderton Mennonite Homes continuing care residential home campus. Then we picked up the town trail. For the 7K we were on the trail at least 60% of the time.

The rest of the walk included some of Souderton's historic and business districts. The historic district had some great houses. The business district had a lot of galleries. Ultimately we walked past the cemetery and the church which was the original start point for the walk. We continued to the house and I came home.

We also went pst the Leidy factory. It was a little stinky. She says it always is when the fresh batch of animals comes in. Ewe.

Miles/Steps:                7k

Weather:                     low-50s, cloudy 
Wildlife:                       heard one woodpecker
PPE found:                  1 glove. We were almost back. I had convinced myself it would be a no-glove day. We also found a hypodermic needle.

audition for a bank robber

Today the mask rule went into effect in Pennsylvania. You shouldn't be out without a mask. It's pretty unenforceable, they've been trying to stop people from using phones for a decade. Or seat belts for what ... thirty... forty years. But Bonnie made me a mask and I am wearing it. I've also made some from bandanas.

Today I stopped by Sharon's with some stuff and she was even wearing hers. Bonnie has been busy. After leaving Sharon's I headed out for my walk. I went out broad, stopped at the ATM, went further, turned and came back Union.

At the Rose Garden, the playground equipment was taped off and there were about 20 of these whiteboards around the perimeter. But I don't know what they are for. They are empty but have been outside at least one winter.  Since the surround the entire play area one would think they had something to do with pay.

this is the gate outside of the DAR house. I never noticed the Class of 16 on them before. I'm guessing it is 1916.

When I returned home I was in for a surprise. My sister who is 75 has not left the house in 10-12 weeks because of C19. I sat at my computer and she said: "Can we go for a ride in the car?". I nearly fell off my chair. Sure, I said, and off we went. there would be no opportunities to change her mind. I have been trying for weeks to get her outside. Just in the car. She wouldn't budge.

But where to go? Usually, a drive has a purpose. To look at leaves. Or drive along a coast. Something. I guess we could have driven down 611. Instead, I headed to the Parkway. Once there, I noticed these signs. Allentown is serious about C19. Few had masks on. Most were bunched in groups. It really doesn't matter how big the sign is, people are stupid. We also went to the Rose Garden, Trexler, and down Hamilton street. Tuckers have finally closed. I didn't shop there much but I loved that store.

Yesterday it rained. I was at Giant at 6am for the old people's hour. Following the stupid arrows on the floor made me walk the whole store, twice. Not the best exercise, but I moved.

SUNDAY

Miles/Steps:                2+ miles

Weather:                     low 60s, sunny, breezy
Money found:               none
Bathrooms:                  locked
PPE found:                   1 glove
Extra:                          my glasses didn't fog up

SATURDAY

Miles/Steps:                1+ miles

Weather:                     mid-40s, raining, damp and ducking cold. I needed a real coat
Money found:               none
PPE found:                   1 glove 

finally did it

It's been cold this week. My walks have been short and quick. I refuse to get my winter coat back out.

I've said many times while walking the hood that it's covered with litter. It looks like the street sweeper might have gone thru but it's still nasty. Today was recycle day and I had brought the buckets in and saw my neighbor cleaning up in front of her house.

I went back outside to socially distance a hello. She's also working at home and took a break to cleanup. Have I noticed that the hood is especially dirty this year? I said yes. I often think about cleaning up as I walk but I have a per bag rate for trash. I just can't afford it. She says I have unlimited. Just clean it up and leave it over my fence. Seriously? She was. Just be sure it's tied tight and she'd put it out.

Today I put on gloves and took a bag with me. It was full in three blocks. I need to take a bigger bag.

Miles/Steps:                1 mile and a lot of bending

Weather:                      mid-40s, sunny, windy
Money found:               penny
PPE found:                   3 gloves
Extra:                          Sunday the mandatory mask rule goes in effect. They can enforce cell phones while driving so this should be interesting. I've been investigating how to wear one without my glasses fogging up.

we wore the same shirt

My friend Pam and I took our weekly socially distant walk today on the D&L.

We planned to go to Hanover Canal Park and walk toward catty, but the park was closed. Instead, we went down the road to Kimmets Lock.

I get out of my car, and Pam her's and I look. Then I look again. We were wearing the same shirt. Clearly we both shop at Target. But more interesting is the fact that these shirts are old. Maybe five years and we both still have them.

I had never walked from Kimmet's Lock before but I guessed it would be rustic because I could never see a path. Pam saw a sign for the D&L and we followed it.

We started to head out and I went back for my hiking stick, I was glad I did. The first section was "natural". I think the trail is more or less kept up by bike use. Eventually, we had to walk on Dauphin Street, and then back on the trail.

These bleeding hearts were at the entrance to the trail. We followed past another lock, 56 I believe, and then took the path to walk around the pond. No geese and the water level was very, very low. We speculated that they were draining it for some reason.

We picked up the D&L on the other side of the pond and followed it to Race Street. We did not continue across and to Catty. We found the robins egg at the entrance to the trail.

Coming back we stayed on the trail and walked thru the park, back out on the road, and back into the woods.

Miles/Steps:                 3 miles 

Weather:                      low 50s, overcast, breezy 
Wildlife:                        a pair of mallards, geese squawking overhead, robins egg, dragon fly
PPE found:                   4 gloves on the side of the road

photo walk in south bethlehem

Yesterday was Easter. I did housework in the morning, and paying work in the evening.  Mid-day I had Easter dinner and  I didn't cook. Yep. I broke quarantine. We've all been in the house, none are showing symptoms and I was the only guest. I've been playing Russian roulette with my health for 20. I'll play again for a free meal that I didn't have to cook. My most strenuous exercise was an Easter egg hunt. There were so many real and plastic eggs that the child emptied his basket twice. The neighbors came out to watch. Clearly we're all going bonkers inside.

Today, between storms, I ventured out for yet another neighborhood walk.

This is a sidewalk on Itaska street. I've encountered it before, but this is the first time the caution tape was there. The gap is about a foot. This is a corner property and the other side is just as bad. Sadly this is typical for south Bethlehem.

A few blocks later I saw more caution tape in the Madison Playground. I went to investigate and saw this sign. Not much to do at the playground if you can't use the equipment. This is a densely populated area. Parents must be going bonkers.

It started to rain.

Between the light pole and the tree it was hard to get this picture at the Southside library. It says "stay safe, stay strong, keep reading.The rain finally stopped.

 I crossed Broadhead and headed toward home. Going thru Wendy's parking lot I saw this sign at Seven Sirens Brewing. This used to be a parking garage and they spent a year remodeling it. I think they opened the weekend before the shutdown. I really need to stop and get a 6-pack. I have no idea what the beer tastes like. I was planning on eating there once they opened. I would have gotten a flight.

Right past Ontario on Broadway I saw this laying on the ground. It is a great sleeve. I think the mid-70s. I so wanted to pick it up but nowadays you need gloves to pick things up. I'm sure the copyright would be on the back. And a lot more artwork. The rain began again.

I was pretty wet when I returned home.

Miles/Steps:                 3 miles 

Weather:                      66, sunny when I started.  Rain twice. 
Money found:               penny
PPE found:                   1 glove, twice (not a pair).

and the rain came down

It rained like heck last night. I was afraid Pam and I couldn't walk today. But when I woke up, it was sunny. I texted Pam and we were on.

We decided to go to the IRT off Mauch Chunk Road. I figured it was fair since Pam drove to Bethlehem the last time, plus she's got tons of Passover stuff to do.

The first thing I noticed was the picnic pavilion. And then I noticed it was closed.

Pam hadn't arrived yet so I walked around the lot and took pictures. Meanwhile, she was stuck behind a funeral procession. Then we headed out. This area has a lot of cement ruins and quarries. We saw a few quarries that we hadn't seen before. It was interesting that the quarries were filled with water, but the creek was nearly dry.

At the firing range, I saw this mirror and attempted to take a selfie. If you click on it you can see us.

Then we noticed that the firing range had a shooting course. The bright orange is what is left of the target at this stop.

Apparently, the No Tresspassing signs were not enough. They added additional signage.

And we found some cool ruins.

And some serious signage about crossing the street.

We saw several bikes, a jogger and a couple walkers, some with dogs. We were walking on the outside edges of the trail and letting people thru the middle. When people needed to pass I'd move in behind Pam, about six feet back. Someone came thru the middle and thanked us for social distancing correctly. Score one for us.

We were about a half-mile away from the finish and it started to drizzle. We could see the pavilion when the sky opened up. But the wind was more of an issue than the rain.

Miles/Steps:                 5+ miles

Weather:                      forgot to look at the temp. It was cool. Sunny to cloudy to wind and rain. All over 2 hours.
PPE found:                   1 mask.

Wildlife:                        redheaded woodpecker, heard at least 6 different bird calls, robins, squirrels, chipmunks. It's mating season. Everyone is out. They haven't heard about C-19.