Today was supposed to be the first day of school. But because of C19 they cancelled fall break and delayed the start a week. We decided to do a longer, further away walk while we could.
Since Pam's daughter returned to Boston, we had to take two cars and meet at the southern parking lot. My GPS took me right there. Pam's took her to Washington Crossing State Park. But in Jersey. Oops. It was a comedy of errors getting the two f us connected. Then we needed to find the Pennsylvania visitor center. We needed a bathroom. But it wasn't open so we hiked to the comfort station.
Then it was off to New Hope. We probably searched for at least 15 minutes for free parking. There was none to be found. Thankfully Pam brought money. We parked and headed for the trail. We headed up Bridge street, and then climbed down the stairs for trail access. The canal was filled with a yellow water flower.
Quite quickly we reached a lock and lock tenders house. It wasn't open due to C19. This section of the trail is narrow and there was spots that were very sunny.
There is a large amount of a teen water plant with yellow flowers in this section of the canal. Other sections are filled with cat tails. Others are filled with stagnant water and duck weed.
There were several spillways on this section of the trail. A few that looked like draw bridges. One, near the outside edge of town looked much more complicated even as ruins. It turned out to be a split for the boats going to New York.
When we reached the Bowman's Tower entrance to the park we saw a sign that said soldiers graves. We went exploring ...
the memorial cemetery where "an unknown number of Continental soldiers who died during the December 1776 encampment in Bucks County are buried.Although no Americans were killed during the Crossing and the First Battle of Trenton, others did succumb to exposure, disease or previous injuries. James Moore, a 24-year-old artillery captain from Alexander Hamilton’s New York company of artillery, is the only veteran buried in this plot whose identity is known. .”
Remember "Miles of Mules"? It was a 2013 public art project designed to portray the history along the Delaware and Lehigh canals. A mule appeared on our route. S/he looks none the worse for ear.
We also came across this sign. I don't quite know what to make of it. I am, however, glad they preserved it.
As with the Morristown-Yardley section there were a lot of estates of very wealthy people. Many had waterfront landscaping. Some were traditional. Others look like they were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright wannabes. As we got closer to Washingtons Crossing we found this one which I am calling Seussical. There is nothing square about it.
There were a lot oof bikes on the trail, and quite a few were electric. My question is how is the person riding it getting any exercise? The were also a few runners and walkers. And also several fisher people. We think this young man caught a sunny. He was quite proud of it. Pam was impressed with how he pulled it out and unhooked it.
It's hard walking this section of the trail because there are no mile markers. You don't know how far you went or how far it is to go. You're walking mileage-blind. We did not see a single mile marker from New Hope to Washington Crossing. Finally we found this one. We were 100 feet from finishing.
The end of the road. We made it back. The intense sun and humidity didn't kill us.
Then it was time for cold water and some food. Neither of us brought a sandwich. We brought finger food.
I thought I was taking 413/611 home but I was on 202 and the GPS told me to turn. I took a tour of Montgomery County farm country and was rewarded with a covered bridge.
The only reason to go this way is to stop at Owowocow. I was being handed my ice cream when Pam walked in the door. The GPS sent her an entirely different direction.
Miles/Steps: Almost 9, that includes the ice cream stop and walks to the rest rooms.
Weather: 93, sunny, humidbreeze
PPE Found: 1 mask
Bathrooms: I-3.5 comfort station, 1-4.5 visitor center though the energy efficient toilets were three inches off the ground. I think I twisted my knee getting up. It hurts.
Wildlife: Turtles were abundant and of various sizes. There were a lot of geese in one section. Fish. Heard bull frogs croaking. Ducks of various species.
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