cold and windy walk

Big News! I was able to create a simple one-page website for the Liberty Bell Wanderers. It went live this morning. And it's still there. It hasn't crashed.  So relieved.

After that success I really wanted to walk and celebrate. I text Lydia to see if she was free. She was. So after walking the dog and making pizza for lunch, we did the south Bethlehem volkssport walk. In the process we discovered that Lydia only has one more walk to finish her thirty walk book. So we are doing it again tomorrow!

It was cold and it was windy. But otherwise bright and beautiful. We actually drove to the Comfort Suites start point.

When we arrived at the Greenway it was snow covered. Just the little snow from Monday. The larger snow from Saturday had been plowed. But it had melted and refroze and was really icy, so we left the Greenway and walked thru the adjacent parking lots all the way to Polk street. The we walked out Third to the casino. Then down and around and back First Avenue thru Arts Quest. It was 2.75 miles. Which considering my track record lately is pretty damn good.

Tomorrow begins the winter challenge and the Iditawalk.  So I have to step up my game.

Oh, the Penn State lion now has a hashtag—#ifoundthelion. I'm going to go look to see how many clones he has. Maybe, we'll go on a lion safari in spring.

it's quarterly report time.

Since I am the point of contact for the Volkssport club, the end of September means it's time for a quarterly report.

I met my client in west Allentown, and afterwards stopped at the Comfort Suites to pick up the logs.

By the time I returned home, Lydia had arrived to go walking. First we walked the dog (1/2 mile). Lydia and I then hopped into the car and headed to the Comfort Suites and picked up the log sheets for the South Bethlehem walk. Then we stamped the books and headed out for our walk.

Now I will not bore you with the details, you've heard them all before. The new thing? Scarecrows. Lots and lots of scarecrows. I think they might be part of Octoberfest next week.

 When we returned home, I took Adonis for yet another walk.

After a week of deficit numbers, today's 25K steps helped me reach my walking goals for the week. Of course, I got little else done. Oh well.

sunday follies

This morning Pat and I drove into Allentown to see "Rise Up Allentown". And Installation made from donated ladders. I contributed three. There were many decorated. It never dawned on me to paint mine. They were hard to find.  You can walk thru it but you cannot climb on it. It's getting a lot of press.

When we returned home I walked the Bethlehem Greenway, thru the casino and came back.  On the way to the Greenway I saw my nephew, who was at one time homeless. He weighs less, no longer looks like Grizzley Adams, and is employed at Wendy's. Apparently he has gotten his act together again. Since I didn't talk to him I have no details.

I arrived at the Comfort Suites to sign in for the south Bethlehem Volkssport walk. The desk clerk had the box out by the time I arrived at the desk. I said "could you tell by my outfit"? She said "No. I remember you." Clearly I spend too much time at the Comfort Suites.

I've mentioned the garden on the Greenway near Webster street, and how I wondered if people would steal the food growing there. These signs have appeared. What I find interesting is that Chinese is in the first position, not English.

The Greenway is utilized heavily by people exercising, but also by the Asian casino bus riders. They just walk up and down (or across the bridges) till it is time to go home and then do it again. Not the way I want to earn a living.

Signs in three languages are popping up all over, including grocery stores.

Signs of the times.

veg fest —not quite a washout

I woke up at 4:30 and it was raining. It stopped at maybe 7:30. Hurray we can still walk. So I talk to everyone and by the time 9 am rolls around it's drizzling.

Bonnie and Megan arrived with the baby at 9:15 and come in so Pat can see the baby. It starts to pour. No VegFest walk for us. It poured for an hour and a half. The baby played with the dog and on the floor. He was happy. Pat seemed happy.

The rain slowed and they went home. Lydia and I took Adonis for a longer walk in the drizzle. And then we waited. In the mean time I started a batch of moms barbeque. It's more like "manwhich" than BBQ, but that's what she called it. It is yummy. And without additives. We haven't made it since before Henry died and it was delicious. I even got the white spongy hamburger rolls instead of real bread. When in Rome.

VegFest started out as a way to celebrate being vegetarian right at the end of the harvest. Now it's moved into August and has a decidedly "vegan" theme. Though it's a great place for people with allergies to eat. Everyone has signs up that says gluten, nut, whatever free. There is a marketplace for craft vendors, an animal spot for "save the {fill in the blank}" — all creatures great and small are represented. My favorite are the pigs. Hense the picture. They all have donation cans out. I gave a dollar to the pigs. I didn't want to ask, but why is there a need for a "basset hound rescue".

Another aisle is activism. That the green energy, no GMOs, laundry soap, whatever. Also three performance stages, and a place for lectures and demos. Oh, and a cooking stage too.

Then there is the aforementioned food court. The Cinnamon Snail came down from NYC and they started lining up before the festival opened, in the rain. When we walked past the line was a block long. I can think of nothing that would be worth a block long line. And it's all veggies!

 I don't even want to think about what the hot dog cart was selling.

We did get a "gluten-nut-dairy-soy-free only 45-83 calorie—with no added sugar" ice pop. Mompops had a cart. OMG delicious. Lydia had chocolate with sea salt. It tasted like a fudgesicle. It was made with coconut milk. I had the strawberry lemonade. It was pureed strawberries thinned with lemon juice. It was tart. Both were delicious. They are out of West Chester so if you are in the Philly area, look for them at coffee shops, healthy stores, and farm markets.

Lydia kept a look out for fried veggies but none were to be found.

Sadly, I guess because of the rain, there were a lot of no shows.

The clouds were getting blacker so we high-tailed it home. Then, because it was still clear, we took the dog for another walk. He was a happy boy today.

when walking, watch what you buy

After a dismal week again on my FitBit—my friend is kicking my butt—I got some miles in today. Need to get more proactive about getting miles. I have half marathons in November!

Today I walked down to the southside farmers market. I bought potatoes and beets and peaches ... what was I thinking? Oh yeah. Yummy food. I also bought tomatoes, beans, greens, and kifles. The bag was heavy. Thankfully my walking-shopping bags has long handles so I can throw it over my shoulder. But I should take two for balance.

Then I headed down to the Banana Factory to pick up my friend Betsy last night pin. They couldn't find it. Then home. I really didn't go more than about two miles.

Lydia is headed over tonight to walk. Not sure where we are going. Wonder if we could take the dog to ArtsQuest and the casino?

Tomorrow, Bonnie and I are walking, hopefully in the morning. Betsy is in Ohio. Probably Megs and the Wee One will come also. I'm trying to make plans for the weekend but so far have not gotten any feedback from anyone.  I think Saturday we might go over the New Street bridge, out Market, back the Minsi Trail bridge, and home the Greenway and thru VegFest (but it doesn't open till 11). That would be about 3.5 miles. If we go up to Broad we might get closer to 4 miles.

Sunday, not sure. I'd like to do a Volkssport walk.  There are several that are ending. It's hard coming up with places that are baby friendly.

thursday walk

It's that time of the year again. I have to gather up my statistics for the Volkssport group. That means going to the three sites, collecting data and sending the money in. It also means that we have to do those walks. When in Rome ....

Yesterday we did a variation on Bethlehem-South. Megan, Bonnie, the Wee One and I walked to the Comfort Suites, collected our data and then went down the Greenway to Northampton Community College Fowler Campus.  There, Bonnie and I had student massages scheduled. The kids are getting in their practical time before the licensing exam.  Well worth the $20 for the half hour. Bonnie wished she would have booked the hour.

When we walked in the teacher was excited to see the baby and asked Megan if she could borrow him to show the students something. She said yes. She was hoping for a baby massage, but alas, the demo was all about reflexes. She gathered up all the students, and they watched and tested. he was in hog-heaven.

Then we left NCC and headed thru the soccer madness at ArtsQuest to the casino, up the hill and back the Greenway to the Farmer's Market. The baby was getting less happy, but we got our groceries, and headed toward home. At Broughal, he was done. Screaming at the top of his lungs. Tired of the stroller, hungry and shockingly not wet. We decided salads at Wendy's was what was for lunch.

After lunch, with a happier baby, we headed home to visit the roomie.

In a minute were all heading to Betsy's for the 'burb walk. Then I need to stop at Comfort Suites to pick up those numbers.

beating the storm and the humidity

Today I walked early. Bonnie is still sick and I wanted to get out before the violent thunderstorms and humidity. Neither materialized.

I decided to do the south Bethlehem Volkssport walk. I'm kind-of itching to get my books full and get new ones. I have two more in the distance book. Three in the total fifty walk book (I think it changes color next time!) and four in the Pennsylvania walk book. All of these will be done by the end of the month. I'll do three walks just collecting paperwork at the end of month!

Things have changed a bit on the Greenway. In the area of the meadow and the Asia gazebo they have built vegetable gardens. With no fence. Clearly this is a pick-your own adventure? The cabbages were huge.

Further down, by the townhouses, people have started planting flowers on the Greenway. I wonder what the city thinks of that. I bet it makes mowing harder. But it sure looks pretty.

The casino, and ArtsQuest area is the same as always. When I arrived at OraSure it started to drizzle, but it never materialized as rain. Coming back thru Lehigh I found more sculptures and more stairs! I'm sure the others will be thrilled about that.

Crossing streets at that hour is a real pain. But otherwise it was a nice hot, sweaty walk.

I thought I try a fitness challenge tonight—Kettlebells. But I read the website wrong. It was drop in, but you needed to be a member. Further investigation led to the discovery that no kettlebell classes are without some sort of membership class. And, a three-hour orientation before you can can take one. Cross that off the list.

I checked the Saucon, Palmer and Bethlehem Tsp Community Centers, and the Y. Nothing new. Nothing different.

Tonight in the park is Power Toning. If we are done with dinner I might try that. Once Bonnie gets well I'll try one of the swim classes.

This fitness challenge takes a whole lot more planning than I anticipated.

i did it!

The Great Saunter around the perimeter of Manhattan was Saturday. It was a 50K, or 32 miles of relentless walking. I took beautiful photos, but alas iPhoto ate them. So I only have a few that were taken by me by the official photographer that I swiped from the Facebook page. (A girl has to do what she has to do! )

The one left was taken on the east side, near 70th street, where there was a comfort station and clementines. I don't know which was needed more. Notice I rolled up my pants.

The second one was taken right before the lunch stop. They took a third one near the George Washington Bridge, but I look miserable. Odd, that is the first photo she took.

But alas, I get ahead of myself. It was a long walk. It's a long story. I guess I'll start at the beginning.

The adventure actually started Thursday afternoon when I looked up the bus schedules. During the week they start about 4:30 am and run every 15 minutes till 9. Saturdays, not so much. Saturdays they run every hour and don't start till 5:30. They are not express and stop a half dozen times. It would get me to the Port Authority 15 minutes after the start of the race.  the other company was worse—was worse. They didn't start running until about 9.

What to do?

I decided I'd go on the 5:30 and take the subway to the 3 mile mark, and join in. When I consulted the map I discovered a late-start line. So I walked from the Port Authority to it. My total walk was about 30.5 miles instead of 32. Oh well. I did it.

The walkers started near Battery Park and headed up the Hudson River portion of the Manhattan Greenway, past the High Line. We walked up the west side thru many parks towards the George Washington Bridge. Passing the USS Intrepid and the Circle Line tours.  At some point between Circle Line and the GW I put my jacket in my backpack and lost my map. (This is important info later.) At the GW there was the smallest light house I've ever seen—the Jeffrey Hook lighthouse. About a mile before the bridge was the first rest stop and the photographer. You could choose either an apple or water. Not both. I chose the apple. Since I have caps on my front teeth, I always cut apples. I bit it with my side teeth to break the skin and was able to eat it.

Until this point it was flat. Bring on the hills. Steep hills that had warning signs for bikers going down. That adventure took us off the Greenway.  At some point there I finally connected with a man from India. He was here on a business trip last year and did the walk. Scheduled his trip this year to do it again. Nice. But crazy. We had to do a little town walking and I lost the Indian man. I am now without a map or a person.  I waited till some people came and I followed them. That took us into Inwood Hill Park. (Aptly named. )

We followed a path under the Henry Hudson Bridge and then the path forked. I had to wait till someone came so I knew which fork to take. It took us to our lunch stop.

All along the route, in the many parks were comfort stations and water fountains. We had not had an official stop since the apples at the GW. Everyone was sitting around eating lunch and changing their socks. There was a huge line at the comfort station. But I didn't see a soul handing out water.

I am at the top tip of Manhattan with no map. We have to get around it to the bike path next tot he Harlem River. And that's not until the Tri-Boro Bridge. I tried following people but they walked so fast. I even saw power-walkers! I even followed them into the grocery store to buy water. Almost lost them there.

I was standing at a corner trying to see where the people went and encountered an older couple. They are members of Shorewalkers and knew the route without a map. They allowed me to walk with them till we got back to the Greenway. It was a rest stop handing out water. Then they took off and were gone in a flash. Clearly they slowed down for me.

By the time we reached double digit street numbers I was done. I called Bonnie and said when we leave the Greenway to go around the UN I'm taking a cab back. But I needed the rest room, and the line was long, and I rested. And talked to people. And got out of my head for a while. At 60th street they handed out clementines. By the time we reached the UN I thought, what the heck only 45 more blocks to go. Wrong.

I found another bunch of people to follow and we headed down First Avenue.  20 - 15- 5 - 2 - I called Bonnie again and told her we were looking for the finish line. It worked out to be about another 2 miles away. Clearly there was a ton of island left. I stopped at a falafal truck for more water.

We walked thru Chinatown and Wall Street and finally found the pub. And I got my completion certificate. There were no buttons left. It was 6:45. The next bus was at 7:15.

I walked a few blocks and took a cab back to the Port Authority. The best $17 I ever spent. We arrived at 7:10. I knew I wouldn't make the bus, so I went for a burger. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast except for some trail mix, the apple, and a clementine. Note to self. Put trail mix in a zipper bag. Baggies spill all over your backpack.

I took my burger back to the Port Authority and sat in line and ate it. I slept a bit on the bus, and went straight to bed when I got home. After all there was laundry walking to do in the morning.

This is my FitBit graph for walking on Saturday. I've never had a pretty much solid block before. You can see when I stopped to change my socks, and when I waited in line for the bathroom. I think that dip at 2 was right before I picked up the old couple and was standing on the corner, lost.

I hit 5 milestones in one day.

south bethlehem volkssport walk

Today was the first group walk for the south Bethlehem Volkssport walk. Bonnie, Megs and the wee one were supposed to come, but Megs though 6K would be too much for him. So I went to meet the gang.

I arrived at the Comfort Suites at 9:50 and only Dave, the president, was there. They left late, will be here in 20 minutes. I turned out to be an hour. They got lost.  Ultimately ended up on the north side. They all began arriving shortly before 11. By the time everyone signed in it was maybe 11:15 went we set out.

The walk went well. I played tour guide. Living in south Bethlehem my entire life comes in handy, sometimes.

One section of the directions is a little fuzzy. So we had Carol try them out. She turned wrong, so they do need to be modified. I will do that this weekend.

We didn't arrive at the outlet mall till 12:30. So I bid the group goodbye. I need to eat, shower and go to work!

getting back to normal

I'm finally done with my substitute gig. Winter is almost over. Finally my walking life can get back to normal.

Saturday I volunteered most of the day. Then, my Tunesian student and I went to Dave's church for the Italian Dinner. She loves Italian food and the food at school isn't the best. When we arrived, they were running a bit behind—300 people to serve—so we volunteered to help get dessert ready.

Sunday, at the crack of dawn, I was back at the church making breakfast for the homeless. Bonnie arrived to walk shortly after I returned home.

We headed up Bishopthorpe to the hospital. Then out Ostrum and down the ramp of the bridge. We went up Broadhead and thru Lehigh. The sculptures have started to emerge from the snow piles.

 This guy really needs warmer clothes. How did his book and electronic survive the snow?

When we reached Taylor, we came back back Packer. Then out Summit, up Wyandotte, out Souix and home.

Tuesday we walked in Bonnie's neighborhood. We pretty much stuck with Salisbury Road and Lehigh Streets because they aren't well traveled and we could walk in the streets.

Today we walked again in South Bethlehem. This time we headed out Sioux and Summit and went thru Lehigh. This time we went all the way to Zollener and then headed down Polk, I think. The Greenway was still covered with snow so we walked out Mechanic till it ended.

Ultimately we ended up at Arts Quest. We came back first avenue, out Columbia, and Second Street. Then out Broadway and home.

No one arrived in Nome this week, but the real race has begun. The conditions are really bad this year. Hopefully all the animals and mushers make it to Nome safely. Has anyone seen Sharon? Is she still sitting in Anchorage?

eighth day of christmas

On the 8th day of Christmas (aka New Years Day) I walked alone.

Today was the first official day of my new Bethlehem South Volkssport walk. I had to do it. Even if I had to do it alone. I was going to be Start #1.

I left the house and walked down to the south Bethlehem Comfort Suites. The official sign in point.  I was delighted that the person on duty knew what I was asking for. He even offered me a pen, and asked how far I had walked so far today.

 During December, and thru Orthodox Christmas, the Comfort Suites hosts the South Bethlehem Historic Societies ethnic tree display. One tree per country. I didn't count them, but my guess was 20. Clearly south Bethlehem is diverse. All had some sort of creche under them, and an angelic figure on the top. It's been years since I spent much time looking at them.

I was start 1, but forgot to take a picture. I also discovered that there are no envelopes in the box. Looks like Bonnie and I will need to do some box maintenance.

The trail goes up to Lehigh, and back down to the Greenway, out the Greenway to the Casino. Around the casino, the outlet mall and hotel and under the Hoover Trestle.

That's where I found Mother Nature decorating the ruins. Clearly this scoop is shoveling icicles. Then it's thru Arts Quest and into Fountain Hill and back to the Comfort Suites. I skipped that part. If I was going to Fountain Hill, I was going home.

On Graham Street I found these little marks. I wonder what they are going to be doing?

big bird!

Bonnie and I have walked nearly every Tuesday and Thursday this term. I have both mornings off, and she is out with her hand injury. When you walk that much you need to be creative or the routine becomes boring.

Last night I saw on Channel 69 that a life-size Big Bird was brought to our local PBS Station. He's made of Peeps. Peeps are made in my town. It only makes sense. Walking down to visit Big Bird. The perfect walk.

We left my house and headed up to St. Luke's. We went out Ostrum and Brighton, down the bridge ramp and out 2nd/Columbia. Then it was down Webster to First, and out to the Steel. The PBS station is on some of the redeveloped property.

We arrived at PBS and the door was locked. Oh well, they aren't open. Then we heard a click. Apparently they keep it locked all the time. Bird was right there in the lobby. His feathers are Peeps, with the heads cut off, and smashed a little. His legs are Bunnies, and the pink rings are Peeps. His snout is also Bunnies. Oscar is also made of Peep bodies, but they were dyed  dark green.

It was terrific. I can see why Just Born, the makers of Peeps, wanted it here for PeepFest.

We came home the Greenway and found the new Crepe store on New Street, and stopped for groceries. Total, it was about 4.25 miles.

These walks always end with a late big breakfast, since I eat dinner at 3:30 pm before class.

new students, mosques, pay phones, and lions

This morning I met my new international student from Tunisa. Eid is today, and I asked her if she wanted a ride to the local mosque. She was thrilled. She was bringing three friends.

She thought the service was at 7:15 am, but I got a text that it was 8:30. Then my phone started making the battery is dying noise. We went back and forth a couple times, and decided to leave at 8:00. I know that the mosque has a small lot. So I decided to check the mosques website to see about parking. Good thing I did. The service was at 8. We decided then to leave at 7:30. Then my phone dies.

I head out at 7:10 and arrive at school. No kids. At 7:40 I thought maybe they were at the ISA office. I ran across campus. Nobody. Then I ran back. Finally we connected. They were waiting inside. I was outside. They were expecting my call, but the phone was dead.  Finally we head out. They'd be fashionably late. They were okay with that. We pull onto 22 and it's a parking lot. Accident. It took 20 minutes to got from 191 to 512. Normally that's a two minute ride.

We arrive and it's over. Even if we would have arrived on time we wouldn't have gotten in. I didn't realize that there was that many Muslims in the Lehigh Valley. There was a line for the 10 am service. I told them we'd wait. But then they saw a friend, and his parents invited them for prayers and dinner, so I took them back.

I needed to call Bonnie about walking. I needed to go to Walmart to pick up Pat's Rx. Can you belive there is a payphone at Walmart. The last one, I think, on the planet. Bonnie would meet me when I got home.

Bonnie arrived 5 minutes after I did. We headed out to walk. Up Sioux, out 8th, and thru Lehigh.  We kept going up and up in Lehigh and didn't recognize the neighborhood we came out in. It was 60s 'burbs with split levels and ranches! I saw the blast furnaces, and said to Bonnie, we'll walk toward the blast furnace. Quickly we came to Hill Top Avenue and knew exactly where we were. We headed towards Zollner and I got an idea. Let's look for Volkssport check points.

These are questions you need to answer when you walk, so they know you finished the route.

For the 5K:
CHECKPOINT 1: At 4th and Taylor is Holy Infancy 
Roman Catholic Church. In what languages are services offered? __________, ____________, ______________. (English, Spanish, Portuguese. Oddly no Latin.)

For the 5 and 10Ks: CHECKPOINT: How many smokestacks are on the 
furnaces?__________________. This can be from 6-10. (Depending on which direction you are looking.)

And for the 10K: CHECKPOINT: What was the name of the original commuter railroad which this rail-trail replaced?_______________ (Philly, Easton and Windgap RR Co. formally opened on July 2, 1855.)

To do this, we ended up weaving up and down the "presidential" streets.

Our last stop was 3rd and New Streets. We wanted to visit the Nittany Lion that's been hanging out there for about a month. He's a promotional gimmick for Penn State LV. (I'm surprised he is not covered with graffiti!

However, he would not cooperate for the selfie!

it's official!

We walked over to the Hotel B today and changed the volkssport envelopes to my address. Also put my contact information in several places in the binder. It's official. I'm now the point of contact for the Bethlehem trail. Tomorrow we'll do Allentown.

Then we headed out Church street to come home. Bonnie stumbled on the sidewalk. Thank goodness she didn't fall again. Her hubby is so overprotective now, she might never get to leave the house again!

We took the Fahy bridge back to the south side. When we arrived at the Comfort Suites we decided to back track to New Street. The new signage was finally complete at the entrance of the Greenway. I wanted to check out for the Bethlehem-South volkksport walk.  It was done by a Boy Scout. Aren't you shocked. (What would trails be without Eagle/Gold  award projects?)

Now I' a graphic designer by trade. This sign really bothers me. The side in the photo faces the entrance to the trail. Can you see the word Greenway? Of course not. I want to see South Bethlehem Greenway BIG so I know where I am. Then give me the story. And why he included the ribbon cutting on the right is beyond me. Half the sign is wasted and the hierarchy is off.

Bottom line. This sign is not doing it's job.

 The other side which talks about the railroad is much better and more visually compelling.

On the way back fourth street, we saw this sign is in the window at Deja Brew coffee shoppe. I'm really glad it's there. But why do we need signs like this? It's 2013. It's legal for homosexuals to marry, but you many not feed your child naturally in public. This is really screwed up.

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update 10/8

Ooops. Wasn't supposed to change Allentown yet. I don't take over that route till January. Just a little over-zealous Gayle. Now I have to go back to the Comfort Suites and change some of the envelopes back. The rest I'll band together and put in the bottom of the box for January 2014.

coopersburg to upper saucon on the new rail trail

They've extended the Saucon Valley Rail Trail to the outskirts of Coopersburg. It now ends at the Living Memorial Park.

We weren't sure how to get there from The Upper Saucon Park—Lydia and I were unsuccessful a few weeks ago—so we drove and started in Coopersburg. It was easy to find. We were greeted with this lovely hand made sign. Clearly none of the signage is ready yet.

We followed the path and quickly found the trail. Nicely groomed with fencing in place. You'd never know it just opened. I hear there is one more section to go to reach into Coopersburg. I've also heard a rumor that  potentially this path could start at the Bethlehem Greenway and go all the way to Q'town. Exciting.

This section is about 2 miles. We were on the last quarter and I said to Bonnie "is that a covered Bridge?" We determined it was, but it was far away. When we were done we drove looking for it and found it! It's tiny. I think it might be a private bridge.

The trail came out in the ballfields at Upper Saucon Park. Lydia, we walk right past the entrance! We made the loop around the ball park, and headed back to the car. All our little detours stretched this walk to 5 miles.

Tuesday, Bonnie and I will be walking in Bethlehem.

evening, then morning walking

Last night I went to the walking clinic at the Steel. They will be continuing thru the month and maybe into October if, and only if, we have 6 people. Right now we have 5. LYDIA WE NEED YOU. I will feed you, Pat will watch A, and I'll pay the fee. With the half coming up it will be a win win. Pleassssse.

Last night we walked up to the Greenway then headed towards the Skate Park for intervals. We came back and headed toward New Street.  Then we practiced form—heel / toe. First you walkedon our heels (tough!) and then our toes (easy), over and over. Then we worked on posture.

We left the Greenway and headed down to First Street to the parking lots, and worked on intervals again. Finally we stretched and went home. Nice night. I had to walk back up to the Greenway for my water bottle.

This morning Bonnie arrived bright and early and we headed up towards St. Luke's, out Seneca and Brighton, and crossed the Hill to Hill Bridge. We came off the Second Avenue ramp, out Spring, around the park and into Sand Island. We did the one mile loop that includes the D&L, and then went past Fritch Fuel to check out the other side of Sand Island. At no point in that park is a D&L trail head sign. WTF?

On our way back to Lehigh Street Bonnie found this turtle. I thought he was a rock. We rescued him from the street and placed him on the grass facing the river. Hope he makes it home.

Then it was over the Fahy Bridge, down the steps and into the Banana Factory. Walkers (an mothers of toddlers) know where all the bathrooms are. I looked at art. Some was good. Some was dreadful. Then we headed home. Total, about 5 miles.

Tomorrow is the photoshoot for the Sugar Crushers program. I'm supposed to bring this list of clothes that fits. I haven't had clothes that fit in years. I have two sizes, too big and too small. The list includes jeans. Guess I need to go shopping. I have one pair of hand-me-downs left and they have serious baggy butt.

After the dreaded photoshoot, I'll be walking with Betsy and Bonnie in Betsy's hood.

Saturday is the Volkssport 10K in Tamaqua.

It will be a busy weekend!

two bridges walk

Lydia and I went walking this morning the Hill to Hill bridge to the Minsi Trail bridge. It was nice to walk in the city, after so many training walks on the area rail and canal trails.

We started at my place, headed out Itaska, Broadway and up Wyandotte and headed up and crossed the Hill to Hill. From the bridge we could see the quiet, empty, and unopened Musikfest. That's the closest Lydia will get to MF! Her favorite place at MF is Take A Taco. We headed up Main to find T-A-T, and then out Broad Street to 1st St. Down 1st, past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, back into Musikfest (under the bridge) and back up to Central Church. 

We headed out Church past the  Moravian settlement, City Hall with a tour of the Japanese Tea House, and sculpture garden, and on to Niski Hill Cemetery. (I must find out when it changed names. All the gates say Union Cemetery) Out Market to the Minsi Trail Bridge, and walk back the  Greenway to Task my house. A quick break and then we were off again to take Adonis for his walk. 

In total we did 6.6 miles in 2 hours and 25 minutes. 

Since the fence was finished yesterday, I had a patio full of yard waste. Lydia and I spent about an hour picking-up the weeds and chopping the bushes, and packing them into compost bags. then we packed the car and took it all to the compost center.

We finished the day with a trip to Illick's Mill to have Lydia's Passport to Fitness recorded.

Tomorrow, more yard work—all the plants need to be replanted and mulch laid. But not before we do 10-11 miles on the Saucon rail trail. There's a half marathon next weekend!

yee haw! my volkssport trail was approved!

"Hi Gayle,
At our meeting last night, we all agreed to add Bethlehem - South to our Year Round Events for 2014.  ...

By the way, everyone was excited to hear about the new Beth. walk.  I think it will be very successful."

You cannot believe how excited I am. I had to do more work last night before it could be turned into national. I needed directions to the hotel, what special walking programs it qualified for, and agree to the 2A rating.

2A means moderate hills and pavements.

"Special programs" are walks you do toward a goal. Like finding 20 diners, cinemas, that type of thing. While we were doing the test walk, Dave kept asking about water towers, and pointing out flag poles. Now I know why. Honoring our Flag is a special program. As is Water Towers. The south Bethlehem walk qualifies for  Flags, Cities in Song, National Register and Fraternal Organizations. Locally it also qualifies for two Pennsylvania counties—Northampton and Lehigh.

Here's the synopisis I wrote. I'm sure they'll tweak it:

This walk takes you thru Lehigh University, the South Bethlehem Greenway (a rail-trail), pass the skatepark, and thru the former Bethlehem Steel. Right now the redeveloped area includes a casino, hotel, outlet mall, PBS station, arts campus, skating rink, and of course, Steel ruins. The walk continues into Fountain Hill past the mansions of 19th century Bethlehem movers and shakers.

In fall I'll have to actually write the trail. This won't go into effect until January. I have a lot of history to look up!

dang it was hot out—and only 7:30 am!

Yesterday I talked with Pat from the Liberty Bell Wanderers and we were to meet this morning at 8:15 am. She was coming up from the Philly 'burbs to walk with a friend from North Carolina. The friends husband is playing/singing at the Moravian Music Festival. (They'll be doing 10K walks all week. In the heat.)

Pat is the trail master for LBW. I am now the new contact for the Bethlehem/Allentown trails. Yes, I don't need more work to do, but I said yes. And as we walked we discussed the Bethlehem walk.

Bonnie came along for part of the walk. We arrived downtown at 7:40 or so, and walked till 8:15. (About a mile and a half.) Bonnie needed to leave at 9 for the dentist. Imagine, choosing the dentist over walking!

Pat really flies when she walks. I think we were doing close to 4 mph. I was sweating like crazy.

Here's what I found out. Bethlehem used to be two walks, but people never wanted to do the southside walk because some neighborhoods are a little unappealing. They combined the two routes, but to get the distance for the 10K they have you retrace some of the 5K loop, walk over the Fahy Bridge, go tot the steelworkers memorial, and then come back. What a waste.

Thru my rose-colored glasses, I do not see any problems with the south side. Sure it's worn out and needs some sprucing up. Sure there is some neighborhoods that you don't walk in especially at night. But they really are the exception, rather than the rule. A block off those run down main drags, are nice working class neighborhoods. Please do not break my rose-colored glasses. I live in one of those neighborhoods.

Anyway, that is no longer the case with a nice section of the southside—the Greenway, ArtsQuest, NCC-SS, and the casino. Not to mention the Smithsonian affiliated National Museum of Industrial History that is almost complete. Oh, and the Hoover Trestle high line. You can hear what's about to happen, right? I volunteered to split the Bethlehem walk and do a separate south side one. The clinker. It needs to be done by August 7th for board approval or it waits for next year. The 2014 national guide book goes to press at the end of August. Now it doesn't need to be the whole thing, just the basic route and distances and a couple points of interest. I can do this. Bonnie and Lydia will help me test it out. Maybe.

Anyway, I walked about 6 miles today, in the extreme heat, and crossed the finish for the 165 mile challenge. I guess 200 miles is next.

happy independence day!

Today is the annual Firecracker 4-miler. Only Bonnie and I went. Lydia had a friend in crisis and decided to walk with her. I'm all for helping friends, but I'm really against wasting money. But she is her mother's daughter, and Elin would have done the same thing.

Bonnie arrived at 8. I had on my Birks, and took my sneakers to put on there. The race, we thought, was at 9. We pulled into the park at 8:23. Gee, there is a lot of people for a half hour before the race. It probably took 5 minutes to find a parking spot. We're walking up the street and could see the park. We also saw the runners lining up. WTF? The race, it turns out, started at 8:30.

No time to change my shoes, I'm doing this race in Birks. We dropped my sneakers and the swag bags and headed for the start line. We were a good 30 seconds away, when the gun went off. We missed the start. We booked it down the road and passed or first set of people, then another set and ultimately remained in the middle of the pack. We finished in under 63 minutes. Not bad for four miles.

Last night was the walking clinic. This time we met at Steel Stacks, and walked over to the Greenway. The Steel Stacks campus now has rules. They've taken all the fun away!

The walk to the Greenway was the warm up. When we arrived, we did intervals. This time, our warm-up pace was a one, and we worked our way up to ten. Each time counting our steps to see how much faster we could go.

After that there was stretches, and then speed drills. This time it was the one where you chalk a line at the start and then each subsequent time, mark where you ended. Hopefully, you've gone further. One time I came up 5 feet short.

More stretches and back to Steel Stacks. (That's Michele the instructor in the pix with Lyd.)

Tuesday night I went with Lydia to L.L. Beam to a hiking lecture. It was supposed to be 5 hikes in the Lehigh Valley. It wasn't very good. The guy really only wanted to talk about the Appalachian Trail.  It's Pennsylvania—the rocky-bolder-trail-state. Who the heck wants to hike the AT in Pennsylvania? Not me, that's for sure.

The AT aside, I could have done that lecture. Actually, I could have done it better.

That's the first poor lecture/activity I've gone to there, so more than likely will go back.

Happy Independence Day!