westward expansion

 

My classes started yesterday so Tuesday one walks on the D&L are out. Pam suggested a walk in Bethlehem. No commute. That's great. But where to go?

On other walks she has noticed the blue Heritage Trail signs. If I could find the audio files maybe that would be a choice. Of course I found them. I am a digital packrat. Then I had to find a way to convert them from mp3 to mp4. When I loaded it on my phone it put them in as video files, without names. 

She chose the Westward Expansion. We began at the Sun Inn and headed out Broad to First Avenue. There were three audio files in this first space. One at the Inn, one at the bridge explains that this was now the west side, and finally at the tomb. We wove around to the Armory which is now empty. It was hear that I could see that my files were a little old.They noted that the Armory just closed. It's been closed for a decade.

Weaving around more we ended up on Market and our next stop was Bethany UCC. The audio file was about the Gothic Revival style of the church. Pam asked how I knew to stop. I told reminded her about the blue signs.

We continued on Market till 12th. There were three audio files talking about the neighborhood (Mount Airy) and the houses. All the houses have porches. Many of the houses were built for Steel executives, and many were owned and built by the Steel for the executive. They were also into real estate. When we reached Prospect we learned about Bonus Hill. 

We also walked past the homes of Edmund F. Martin, the namesake of Martin Tower (which the tape mentioned was still towering to the the right.) and Eugene Grace. Where was his house? Holy Family Manor.

The tour ended at the Rose Garden.

The Rose Garden is not what it used to be. It's down right embarrassing. We barely looked at the few flowers that were left. Then we went to the children's are and did the penguin Story Walk, with all the silly movements.

We headed back to the Sun Inn, weaving our way thru the alleys of west Bethlehem.

Miles/Steps:    3+ includes walk with Pat

Weather:         Warm, didn't check temp. Sunny, not super humid

PPE Found:      2 mask
Photos:           Pam Lott  (except trail marker)