do you wanna build a snowman?

Everywhere we walked today we ran into three snowmen. 'Tis the season, I guess.

Lydia arrived about 11 and we headed downtown. Normally you can still park on Main Street at that hour. But it's Sunday, and there is a very large, active church there. There's no spaces for a mile. So we decided to go under the bridge (Festplatz). When did that become contacted parking? (And where do the "contracted" cars park during all the festivals?) We had to drive down Conestoga, out Union and back Old York Road, to park at the Luckenbach Mill. Craziness.

We started our walk in the historic area, then headed out the way we drove in. We came back Conestoga, and loops the small festival area near Sand Island. Then we went up Main to the Hotel Bethlehem, and back down the hill.

Sadly, our route was only about 2 miles and took over an hour. But we met lots of frozen friends.

After doing a few errands, then eating lunch, we took Adonis for his half-mile walk.

The Idita-Walk and Winter Challenge walking has official begun.

day 12 of 18, ghostly edition

Tonight I did the Christmas Historic Haunts tour of downtown. It was fun. Sadly not terrific exercise. But no ghost tour is. Some of the stories were repeats from what I heard on the Revolution one a couple of years ago. The guide was terrific. And the candles were a nice touch.

It began at the Moravian Book Store. (I would have loved to build that tree, but I would not want to re-shelve all those books!) I arrived about 10 minutes before the start. Every time I picked up a book I told myself "no time to read". Five more minutes and I would have spent a $100. My willpower in all things stink. I did buy one book after it was over. It's at the end of the post.

When the guide arrived, a clerk past out the candles and we were off. We headed south on Main, and stopped at the Brethern's House.

Then we moved on to the old Chapel, God's Acre, the Sun Inn, the Hotel Bethlehem and then back for the final story to the Bookstore. The Sun Inn's ghost was documented in an episode of Ghost Hunter's on SyFy.

Clearly, we did not walk far. Maybe, a half to three-quarters of a mile.

This was my purchase. Moravian Walking Guide and Tour Book. It includes walking tours for Nazareth, Bethlehem, Emmaus. The design is weak, but it's packed with stuff. That tiny oval says "Pennsylvania". It made me think maybe there were others for additional Moravian enclaves, like Winston Salem. But since it's published by the Nazareth Historical Society, I doubt it.

day 12 of 18

This is a two-walk day. Will that make up for the two days I didn't walk? I don't think so.

Today the pictures begin with my house. I only decorated outside. Ebenezer Scrooge's evil twin is inside. I didn't realize when I took the picture that the bag of trash was on the porch. (The chairs are facing each other to help keep snow off them during winter.)

I headed down the hill and out Itaska. Then out Broadway toward CVS.

I stopped in the Wells Fargo parking deck to take pictures of the graffiti art project, but too many cars were blocking it. On the way out I noticed this sign.

When I arrived at CVS, I wanted to see if they had leftover Christmas balls—I have a commission for name balls. Alas, they didn't. I'll keep looking. The clearance sales should last most of the weekend. If not, I'll get them next year.

Then I head up Fourth to Delaware.

This house probably looks better at night. Its at the corner of Seneca, 3rd and Delaware. Right on the curve.

I decided not to go out Delaware and went out Seneca instead. I've always loved this door. I was glad they had wreaths on it so I could take a picture.

This porch in the 500 block is a little cluttered, but I really like the sled and skates. The Halloween cauldron is a nice touch.

When I reached Bishopthorpe I headed home. It was only a mile and a half. But it was better than sitting on my butt.

Shortly, I be leaving for the Christmas Haunted Walking Tour downtown. I should get another mile or so in. And hopefully be entertained.

Tomorrow, we will be doing the Downingtown volkssport walk.

haunted christmas walking tours!

I stumbled into a Christmas ghost tour this morning in Historic Bethlehem. This is what happens when you slow down to look at all the nativities in the Moravian Book Stores window.

The walks have been running all month on weekends. I'm going to try and go Friday night. This is certainly on the docket for a group walking adventure next year.

From the website ...
"Ghosts of Christmas Winter Walking Tours 

scary Ghost Stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago…

Join us for a spirited look into the ghosts of Christmas past…Long past? Well, Bethlehem’s past…

Our new winter version of our popular Historic Haunts Ghost Tours will give you chills, and not just from the cold! You’ll hear tales of early Moravian Christmases, learn some local legends, and discover why we are known as Christmas City, U.S.A. Spend an hour with a costumed tour guide and a candle to light your way, while you visit the beautiful Historic District of Downtown Bethlehem and find out if the buildings hold more than just history. Many visitors have experienced Bethlehem’s past in a very vivid manor, and perhaps you will, too on our Ghosts of Christmas walking tour!"

Lydia and I did one during the day a couple years ago. It's interesting, fun, and doesn't burn more than about 5 calories. But you get to use a candle. How cool is that?

Now they need to make one for the south side. I bet that dead steel mill holds a lot of stories ...

turkey's trotting

Yesterday was the Turkey Trot in downtown Bethlehem. This race is huge. There is probably 10K people entered. There are three categories—run, competitive walk, and fun walk. All were 5Ks.

Only Megan and I went. Bonnie was afraid of falling. Since she already had surgery on her hand, it would have been devastating if she fell.

The line began near the stone bridge at the Luckenbach Mill and wove it's way down to the log cabin. That's where the competitive walkers started.  The fun walkers started up the hill further. You can see the vast amount of people in the photo.

The route was also altered slightly to accommodate the snow and ice. No canal path. Instead we walked around the "fairgrounds" twice. It was a tad weird.

Megan looked at the clock when we started —it was chip timed—and it was about 2:45 when we crossed the start. It was 55:47 when we crossed the finish so we figured we finished in about 53:05. The official record says 54:18. I do not understand why.

It was cold, and Sand Island was icy. Our first and last legs were indeed quicker than the middle one. We watched for black ice.

morning star celtic classic 5k

Today was the Morning Star Rotary Celtic Classic 5k. Yeah, it's a mouth full.

We didn't do this race last year, but in 2012 it started at a different place and went to the south side. This year, it began at the Luckenbach Mill, and headed to Union Blvd, out Main, and down the HBI path back to the mill. We went past the mill and out Conastoga Street. We crossed Union Blvd, and headed out the Monocacy Trail to Burnside Plantation. Then we turned right on Paint Mill Road and made an immediate right on to Mauch Chunk Rd. Up Geopp, and down Monocacy and back to the mill.

I finished in a hair over 51. Bonnie in a hair under. Megan came in 15 seconds behind me. Our times were slightly higher than the last time, but trails were not involved. I'm happy with it.

When we first started the race I thought it was odd that a girl had a Camelback for a 5k. On Mauch Chunk Rd we ran into her again. It wasn't a Camelback. It was oxygen! We leap frogged a lot but ultimately she ran into the finish and beat me.

This race always has good cheese, lots of fruit and water, and the best part—men in skirts.

The "boys" were meeting Bonnie and Megan at the event to hang out for a while. I had a meeting with a client at noon, and I didn't bring a cent with me, so I opted to walk home.

trykes for tots 10K

The Trykes for Tots 10K is one of the few races in the valley that offer a 10K option for walkers. We've done it several years.

It takes place on the Iron Rail Trail and the Whitehall Parkway and raises money for tricycles for differently-abled children. The cool part is they give out and fit the bikes after the adult race. Then the children have a 1 mile fun run / walk / ride. This year Pretzel City Sports left the clock on for the children. When they called for the children's race to begin, they were still fitting bikes. So they had two! The children could run both if they wanted too. While they were racing we waited for a free massage. Wonderbar.

No escort this year until about mile 6. He brought us water because the mile 4 water station closed early. We left him in our dust. However, w did not beat last year's times. Oh well. We still came in in 1:44

My camera was "exhausted" again, so Bonnie took pictures on her phone.It was my turn to have closed eyes.

I came home to a dead mouse in the downstairs bathroom. Anyone who knows me know that I have a low tolerance for dead animals. My brother Henry used to come by and clean them up. Sadly, I had to call Bonnie to come rescue me.

Friday I walked with Betsy in Bethlehem. She was setting up a Girl Scout event at the Luckenbach Mill. So we started at the mill, crossed Sand Island and walked the D&L to the Minsi Trail Bridge. Then we climbed the stairs and came back Market and Church street, with a detour into Nisky Hill Cemetary.

Thursday, I walked back and forth to the dentist. When did dentist start doing full oral exams? In addition to my teeth she checked my tongue, my pallet, my jaw, the whole works.

Wednesday was National Walking Day. I walked across campus and back. It's my 15 hour day and squeezing in a 15 minute walk is the best I could do.

Tuesday, Bonnie and I walked in her neighborhood. Just under three miles.

All in all, a good week. I think I was over 10K steps all but one day.

the christmas city at night

Today we did a late walk. Things we're happening downtown...in the dark.

We left my place at 3:15, and headed down the Greenway to the Minsi Trail Bridge. Over the Minisi and into town via Broad Street. It was about 4 miles.

It was a fun walk because it was so different. But it was cold. The wind blew hard, and I was bundled up for the 2nd day of winter.

On Main at Broad, the Coca Cola truck was parked. It was still a little light when we arrive. The Peeps mobile was there wearing a giant Santa hat.  The Coke polar bear was there too. The truck sides were covered with lights. It was lame, but fun never-the-less.

We also had a great pix taken with a very slim, very young, Santa. No Bonnie is not sleeping. She had all the prints but there was a URL on the bottom to grab a digital version. (Had links to post on social media too!)

After walking around the event, we headed back into the Christmas Village to get Bonnie more gluten free treats. There we encountered Santa. He was actually collecting donations for the soup kitchen.

Then we walked down to Central Moravian for the Putz. If you haven't seen one, they are  quite interesting. The website says "the Christmas Putz is a retelling of the story of Christ’s birth through narration and music, while tiny lights illuminate each miniature scene.  Putz is from the German word “putzen” meaning to decorate.  The figures in Central’s Putz, many of them antiques of German origin, are displayed amidst live moss, driftwood and rocks. The building of a putz is unique to the Moravians and Bethlehem’s first settlers brought their figures with them when they settled here. I think I prefer the one at East Hills, myself. I looked there was nothing inappropriate hidden in their Putz. There is also one annually at Edgeboro.

Then we headed back into town in search of dinner. At the Goundie House they were having the final opening of the door for Advent. It was packed. In the doorway is one of my old girl scouts Debi Lehr Rice. Sunday is the last Sunday in Advent. (The liturgical period preceding Christmas.)

Food couldn't be found on the north or the south sides. An hour wait. We finally ended up eating at Starters Pub on 378.

finally finished my starter book

Volkssport walking has a lot of components. You can just walk. You can become a member locally or nationally. Or you can earn awards and credits. Kind-of like girls scouts for grownups.

Each time you go to an event you have your book stamped. You can have multiple books. Some are thematic like Americas Trails. Others are for distance. Then there is the "starter book". Ten little walks. It took me over a year to finish it! Mostly because most of the group walks are in the Philly area. We have a copy of the book to do our own self-guided ones, but we haven't done them yet.

We have the starter, mileage, states, and capitol books. We should get others. Like the covered bridge one. Last year I think we did about six different covered bridges.

Lydia also finished her starter book. I'm sending them both off. I have no idea what happens next. I'm guessing we get another book or some sort.

Today was the Bethlehem walk. It left from the Hotel Bethlehem. When we arrived the hotel was packed. We were squeezed into a corner, signed in and waited. At the Bear Creek walk I ordered polo shirts. At the Glen Lake walk I ordered patches. I arranged to pick up both today.

This walk wasn't nearly as much fun as normal. This area is old hat for us. We went thru the industrial quarter, sand island, God's Acre, and Market Street for the first 5K. (At the church at Market and Center, Jesus was not in the manger. Hopefully he's just waiting for Christmans and wasn't stolen!) The second loop took you down Lehigh, over the Fahy to the Steelworkers monument, back, and east down Market and back thru Nisky Hill, then past the city center.

I think I'm going to find out about submitting walks. We clearly need one for Fountain Hill / South Bethlehem.

After we were done walking, we shopped. All the stores were packed. (Yeah! Keep downtown alive.) As was the Christmas City Village. Donegal Square did not have the item I wanted. Bummer. Back to the drawing board.

 As we were walking around the Sun Inn Courtyard, we saw the police horses. Raven is wearing the antlers and nose. George is wearing the Santa cap.

Overall it was a good walk and a very nice day. Tomorrow we're going to Northampton for the rail trail. Maybe. Let's see what else I can dig up!

Next week we're walking late in the day. I'll take the car to the north side and park it and walk home, so the car is available later. (I love the southside, but I am not crazy enough to walk on the southside after dark.) Then about 2:30 -3, we'll head to the northside. Why? The Coke truck will be in town. You know the one from the commercial. It drives down the street and all the lights in town light up? The 18-wheel semi-truck, decorated with 25,000 twinkling red and white lights. Inside the truck will feature a portable holiday scene — complete with Christmas trees, wooden benches, fences and a stage. And choirs. How fun is that? Oh, Santa too. I want to see it in the dark!


Then at 5:30 we can go to the live Advent calendar door opening at the Goundie House. It's only 10 minutes. We'll probably also head up to Central for the Putz.

turkey trot 5k

This is the third year, maybe the fourth that I've done this race. Another hilly course. About 1200 people participate.

I'm not sure what my finish time was. I crossed the line at a little over 53 minutes. However, we were at the back of the pack, so that time can be as much as 5 minutes off. Lydia finished in her best time ever, no matter what. 55.2. And she didn't stop on any hills. Yeah.

We parked in front of the Moravian Book Store in the new fancy angle spaces. They are pretty wide, so it wasn't as tough as I thought. But I parked crooked, and had to redo it. We put $2 into the meter. After the race, we still had 15 minutes left and could go to the bookstore.


We walked down to the Lucken-
bach Mill and it was cold down there. Finally we moved to the sun and it was better. Lots of people in crazy hats, and Santa Claus too. Not the mall Santa, the real one. With a long white beard, a hat, red LL Beam jacket and jean. Mrs Claus was running. He was a good sport and dealt with all the kids who yelled "there's Santa!". See I told you he was real.

The people above had crazy hats and tee's. They got into order so I could read their shirts:

Five fat turkeys are we
We slept all night in a tree
When the cook came around
We couldn't be found
And that's why we're RUNNING, you see

Turns out it's a preschool song with multiple verses.

Finally it was time to start. The runners head out, and they just keep coming from nowhere. Finally our section started to move. Lyd and I stayed together to Main Street and then I moved ahead. The route was the same as last year.

When I arrived at the bridge the first place runner was coming. I bet it was under 15 minutes. He was flying.

No water stop this year. I was disappointed. I count on it.

Bonnie will still be away tomorrow, so I think we'll walk in Northampton.

-----------

Update

The times are posted. Well, Lydia's time is. I'm not on the list at all. Maybe my timing chip was busted. There was at least 25 people behind her.

Looks like she finished 2.10 before her clock time. So I guess that puts me at about 51 minutes, just like Thursday.

picking up race packets

Betsy opted for Black Friday shopping with her daughter, so I walked alone today. I needed to pick up our race packets for the Turkey Trot at the Luckenbach Mill.

What is a race packet? It's usually a plastic bag with your bib, pins, t-shirt and a lot of crap from the sponsors. Sometimes you get a granola bar, or some Mike and Ikes, but it's basically worthless stuff. You come home and recycle the bulk of it.

The mill was busy when I got there, and when they found me I was on the list four times! They asked if I registered online and I said no. I did it the old fashion way with a check. I have no idea what''s happening.

So I decided I wanted to walk home the Fahy Bridge. There was a sign I wanted to take a photo of. When I arrived in town, the Christmas Village was set up, and suddenly the walk turned into a photo essay.

If you know Bethlehem, You'll be able to follow my path. Sorry, the sun was in my way in many photos. Should have left earlier.

 The new star in the middle of Main Street. Traffic was a nightmare as they built it.

 Several groups were playing Christmas music on the corners.

 Christmas Village. Just like in NYC. Three areas of downtown.

 The city tree and nativity. Sorry about the sun.

 The mayor's tree. Decorations made by school kids. Clearly they needed a ladder.

 Overlooking the Fahy Bridge.

 Someone lost their bear.

 Japanese garden

 Ghost bike.

 It's a bridge. Yes, they want you to walk in the street. It's safer than the sidewalks.

 Under the bridge.

 Adams Street.

 The up and down 5 & 10.

 Massage parlor.

Old firehouse, now a bar.

Redbox at Ahart's. Wanted a movie. Couldn't make it work. It didn't like my card. I miss video stores.

heritage trail, day 2

Today's walk was more like a Volkssport walk since we played some of the audio on my new iPod, and looked at historic things, took pixs, and combed cemeteries.

The two sections were called Moravian Founders and  Victorian Bethlehem. We still have the Westward expansion (north of the river), The Steel and Farmland to Industry. Both on the preferred south side of the river.

We started at Broad and Main, and headed to first past the tomb of the unknown solider. Then off to the armory, and down 2nd to the historic area. Next we hit Main street, then up Market, out Linden and to the Nisky Hill cemetery. Showed Bonnie and Lydia where Eugene Grace was buried. It's huge, and he has a great view of his steel mill. Wonder what he'd think about the Steel shutting down, Steel Stacks, and casinos.

While there we found a cannon that said GAR, and the area was indicated by large metal balls. My guess they fit in the cannon. All the graves were Civil War vets. We fixed a bunch of flags, some were on the ground, and wondered what GAR meant. When I got home I googled it—Grand Army of the Republic. A fraternal organization for Civil War vets. I actually think I've heard it mentioned on History Detectives.


When we left the cemetery, we headed out Church where we saw a crazy new sculpture covered with binary numbers, and back up Main to the car.

When we got home Bonnie and I made tuna salad. Bonnie was appalled by the stacks of dishes in my kitchen. Well I am too. But I try and ignore them. My roomie and I are having a standoff. I want her to do the f*ing dishes. Since Bonnie did the dishes (thanks!), the roomie won this round.

Here's the problem. She's retired and sits on her skinny butt all day and does little—knitting and word searches. Occasionally she'll cook. To contrast that, I have three jobs, cook, clean, exercise, deal with family, facebook, blog, laundry, yard work, grocery shop every day because she can't decide what she wants to eat, deal with trash and recycling, .... Really is doing the dishes too much to ask? I don't think so. She'll do them twice a week, but only on two conditions. That I put all the old dishes away. And that there is "enough" to do. See, that's the sticky part. Usually there is not enough, till, like today, there is too many. Aargh. She wins. Gayle does dishes too. It's just easier and will not bring rodents. (Although I am careful to pre-wash before I make the stacks.) Tuesday/Thursday my class runs till 9:30—I won't get home till 10:30—so those days are no-go, but the other five are doable. And certainly before I know guests are coming.

Today we did 3.33 miles today. Plus we walked the dog. Not great, but it was fun. But the party is over.

Next Saturday I have two 5Ks—the George Yasso walk in Fountain Hill which is competitive, and The Seed Walk, which is not. Sunday we have a hike planned for all seven waterfalls at Bushkill Park. Labor Day I have a 10K, and then training begins for the half.

Also need to put music on that iPod. I am not good at picking music.