Yesterday we walked the first section of the D&L. We walked from Morrisville to Bristol. If we would have started at the beginning we would not have gone very far. It's noisy, littered, and stinky. It does not make a great impression.
We parked one lot away from the first time we parked in Morrisville. And Pam, being a stickler for walking every inch of the trail, we walked back to the place that we started. But we took the higher, riverfront trail to look at the river and the Trenton skyline. The river was low but the view was great.
We crossed the street and went past the locked restrooms and headed south on the trail. We were excited to see three trail markers — in the ground — in a row. But that joy was short lived. Soon the trail markers disappeared. The path here was narrow, but it would get even narrower later. The canal had water and it was relatively clear. There were turtles, some with red bellies. Some of the turtles throughout the 9 miles sections had red bellies. Were they red bellied turtles or painted turtles? I have no idea. This section had homes, and some trash.
When we got to the more remote areas the trash picked up, as did the stagnate water. The trail was less used and it became very narrow. We had railroads next to use and walked thru several large underpasses and a tunnel.
When we reached Falls Township, there were a lot of trees with purple painted squares. We had no idea what it meant. Pam thought maybe it was marking property boundaries. She was close. It actually means "No Trepassing". Who knew? This section had lily pads, frogs, and heron. The water was also polluted.
As we got back into civilization the trash piled up. Sometimes the water dried up.
We were close to the road so it was noisy. We crossed here outside of Levittown. You can see that the path brings you out in the middle of a busy road. We crossed directly over, as do most bikes. We could see that by the well worn grass. However, on reaching the other side, we encountered the no pedestrian crossing sign. In Levittown we walked several blocks past a shopping Center. Why would you add blocks to your route when crossing was easier there?
In Bristol, we actually walked several blocks on the Bristol Pike. Then we had to cross it. Twice. I think it was between Levittown and Bristol that we found the tent-city in the forest, and a Veterans Park that was neglected.
Finally we were in a beautiful park and I thought it was the end of the trail. It was the Bristol Lagoon trailhead. The last trailhead on the map. So dog-tired we drug ourselves further past a cool metal sculpture on a fence then reached a dead end at a street. Since I am the fat lady, I sang. But then Pam saw a D&L sign and it pointed across a field. The only things there were a playground and an elementary school. We walked there and we could not find the path.
Her daughter picked us up at the playground.
There's a part of me that wants to go down -- with fresh feet -- and explore. To see if we could use a map and find where those signs are pointing. I spent an hour online with maps and websites and couldn't find an answer. Most indicators pointed toward Bristol Lagoon. But were we at mile 0? I have no idea. But to drive all the way to Bristol to do that is silly. Maybe we could combine it with something else.
Miles/Steps: the map said 9.1, the phone said 10, the fitbit said 11. Take your pick.
Weather: low 80s, sunny, starting to get humid
Weather: at least 30 turtles of various breeds, bull and regular frogs, blue heron, a mystery bird, twice. gaggles of geese, and a sord of mallard. A doe on the path. At least a half-dozen dead mice. I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
PPE found: close to a dozen masks, 1 glove. Found the first one as I stepped out of the car!
SLF Killed: 0
Photos: Pam Lott, mostly
The mystery bird. It's neck is very long when it is flying.
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