tried a new trail today

 

Because my get up and go got up and went, I looked for an easier walk today. I wanted something relatively flat, and paved. I didn't want to deal with Eliquis induced fear of falling and bad sidewalks. I decided to try out the new section of the Jordan Creek Greenway today. 

 

This section starts at 2nd and Turner and goes about a half mile to Sumner Street. Then you walk on Sumner a few blocks and resume the trail thru Jordan Park. Upon completion, the entire Jordan Creek Greenway trail will traverse through Allentown and the townships of Whitehall, South Whitehall and North Whitehall and connect many regional parks, including Jordan Park, Jordan Creek Parkway, Covered Bridge Park and the Trexler Nature Preserve. I think that's 14 miles. This section has been only open about 9 months.

 I've done the part on Whitehall a few times, and the portion in Jordan Park a few times.  The one in Jordan Park has the outdoor fitness center. As you can see from this map 7th Street is a real problem. (Upper left hand corner.) The orange line turns dotted. Crossing that street will be like crossing R. 22 at rush hour. Something I'm not willing to try.

I arrive at 2nd and Turner and there is no lot. I had to park on the street. It's a holiday so there is no parking. That area of Allentown is densly populated. There are probably 40 row homes on a block. I lucked out and found a space in front of the home with an orginial (and much better designed than the new one) Pride flag. I'll be able to find my car.

I had to walk about a block back to the trailhead. The sidewalks were worse than my neighborhood. And that's saying a lot.

I was greeted by a a ratty little unleashed dog, and a trail marker sign. I was quickly greeted by another unleashed dog, though this one had a owner. The trail was very busy. There was a lot of dog walking happening.

 

I stopped a lot. Not because I was tired but because I am so unfit my legs feel like jelly if I don't stop. I took it as an excuse to take a lot of photos.

 

Like this one of a ghost sign. The building is being renovated and painted grey. The only part I can read is "American". I'll open it late in Photoshop and see if I can pull more out. Since they are painting the building my guess is they might have powerwashed the words away.

Since this trail runs next to the river, there were several homeless encampments. Many were drying their sleeping bags and clothes.

 

This section of the trail ends and here's where you pick up the city streets. 

 Just follow the little bicycle person and you can't get lost. I turned around and walked back. In total I did a little over a mile but it took 45 minutes. But I'm okay with that. I got my ass out there and did it. And truly, that's all that matters.

And parking by that Pride flag was a stroke of genius. My car was easy to find.

Leaving, I took this mural photo at 2nd and Hamilton.

Miles/Steps:     1+ mile.
Weather:          82, sunny, air quality 53% (Green!), humidity 70%