The weather has been amazing the last few days. A false spring. I sent a text to Pam and asked if she wanted to walk today. I suggested someplace in town since the big snow melt is making all the trails muddy. Some are still snow covered and maybe icy. I suggested the Allentown Urban Trail.
This trail goes thru downtown, the historic and art districts. And the longer route is about 2 miles. The route begins at the PPL center and heads west to 9th, the south to Walnut. Then we head left on Walnut to 6th, and take the curve down to MLK Drive and Fountain Park.
I never realized that near the sculpture was the Wire Mill Arboretum. It was planted and maintained by the Allentown Garden Club. A newsletter from 2011 describes it as a "collections of conifer trees (a “pinetum”), native trees and plants as well as an oak grove. The arboretum received its name from the factory that once stood on this site, the American Steel and Wire Company (itself an expansion of the former Iowa Barb Wire Company which arrived Allentown in 1886 and later bought by the U.S. Steel Corporation)." None of the trees were marked which I find odd.
In the woods on the other side of the creek we could see some tents. I'm guessing a homeless encampment. Hopefully the are staying inside at the Y in the emergency winter shelters. Camping in 2 feet of snow cannot be fun.
At the Parkettes, we crossed by the King statue and headed up Fourth Street to Trout Hall, and then up Fifth to the Art Museum. At the Arts Park they were cutting down all the trees. The arborist said they were going to replant them. I hope so.
Then it was back to the Arts Alley and the PPL center.
Miles/Steps: 2 miles
Weather: high-30s, sunny, blue skies, breezy
PPE Found: half dozen masks
$ Found: quarter
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