exploring courtesy of the wpa

This morning we did an early walk in downtown Allentown. The last time we did it there was a huge hole in Hamilton street. Now there is a brand spanking new arena, square and almost a city block. But someone still tried to hit us up for money. I've never seen homeless people in suits before.

Today is was Megan, Lydia, Bonnie and I. The wee one stayed home with daddy. I could get used to this.

We parked near the Parkettes gym and headed towards south Fourth street passing a statue of MLK and his wife. How long has that been there? I go past there frequently and never noticed the zig- zagged sidewalk, stairs or statue.

We headed up Fourth past Trout Hall and the prison then went out Linden to Fifth. We stopped at the Art Park to look at Rise Up Allentown, and went thru the park to Sixth. Up Sixth past what's left of the Americus Hotel, and out Hamilton to the square. There is a Tom Horton's there that kind-of, sort-of looked open and a bagel shop that wasn't. It's Sunday morning and the bagel shop is closed? I guess they depend on the courthouse / office traffic to make their money. Neither are open Sunday's.

We went out Hamilton to Twelfth, and crossed at the Public Library and headed down the hill to Union. We went down the hill to where I had my accident. And there is a tunnel in the WPA wall. I noticed it when I was waiting for the cops that day.

 You can see the tunnel and some of the stairs in this Google Pedometer image.

This is not the stairs from MLK Blvd. The one's that are in need of  repair. These are above those, on Union. In the retaining wall (c. 1937) there is a tunnel. In the tunnel there are stairs. After one flight they Y. The right side is barricaded with railroad ties. They look like they might lead to yards.

The ones on the left go up and up and up.  Damn, I wish I had my camera. They end in an alley going up to Spring Garden Street, near Eleventh. Nobody wanted to explore but me. So I went alone. They waited for me which was nice. I guess I should have given them the car keys.

Boonie must have been getting worried when I didn't come out so she started yelling for me. I yelled back. I'm sure the people in the row houses appreciated it at 9 am on a Sunday.  I was almost at the top and had to find out where they lead to so I was not turning around. What the WPA givith, Gayle explores.

When I came down we headed back on the Fountain Park trail to the Parkettes lot.

Then came home and took the dog out. He was so good we took him almost a mile. He's sleeping. Wore him out.

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.

walking alone

Friday I walked alone. I don't like walking alone anymore. I'm a spoiled brat and enjoy having people with me. But Lydia was working. Bonnie was sick. And Betsy's father was dying. I was left to my own devices.

Thursday I received an email from Dave, the president of the Liberty Bell Wanderers. We were out of envelopes in Allentown. Originally I figured I'd fill the box on my way to Betsy's. But I wasn't going there, and the box still needed envelopes.

The plan. Fill the box. Walk the Allentown Parks walk. But just the 5K. Filling the box was easy. But the lobby was crowded with all Cedar Crest alumni. It was reunion weekend. I went to Cedar Crest. I've never really been to a reunion. It was fun eavesdropping.

Now should I go to the start point by the pool or not. The route circles around Lake Muhlenberg and comes back past the car.  I knew I'd do the first mile and pack it in. So I parked at the Pavilions. There was no way I'd come close to the car so the temptation to quit would be eliminated.  And it worked!

Three miles. Solo. Unless you count all the goslings and the ducklings.

walks this week

Tuesday Bonnie and I walked in Salisbury and South Allentown. We headed from her house down Juniata, past the Fearless and thru the cemetery where Jarrod is buried. Then we headed down Chapel toward Emmaus Avenue, and headed toward the high school. We walked to the high school, down their drive and up the stairs instead of the hill. Then we zig-zagged our way back to Bonnie's.

Thursday Bonnie and I walked to the south Bethlehem Farmers Market.  We took the scenic route. From my place we headed west on Broadway and then back Delaware. We went down fourth to Taylor and back to Lehigh's Campus Square for the market. We did some shopping then started to head toward home. (Will the beans and peas ever come in?)

To come back we headed up the stairs of Campus Square. Then up the stairs to the student union. Then up the stairs to eighth street. Bonnie said I damn near killed her. It beats walking up a hill. I'm guessing we did about 250. I didn't count them.

We headed down eighth to Wyandotte, crossed and out Sioux to Bishopthorpe and home.

After the hail storm I headed out to Wifek's graduation. I parked in my typical almost-off campus parking spot and headed to the gym. A half-hour to go and they were already using over flow seating. I ended up watching the live stream internet broadcast in the cafeteria.

She received a specialized diploma. Any work she did here doesn't count when she gets back to Tunisia. She still has two more years to go. This morning she was on a plane going home.

For the long weekend I sent this schedule to the others—

Saturday -- Doing the Volkssport walk in Doylestown. Yeah, it's a bit of a drive, but it's a great excuse to go to the Mercer or the tile works. (Art is my happy place.) It starts at 10. I'll be leaving a bit before 9.

Sunday -- D&L Allentown towards Bethlehem. If I walk alone I'll probably do the whole thing and turn around and go back. If someone comes along, we can go 1.5 one way, turn around an go back. I should be at the Allentown trailhead by 9:30

Monday -- Tortoise and Hare 5K in Wind Gap. Yeah, another road trips. Hot course. Not much shade. Some hills. They take same day sign ups. I think it starts at 9, so I'll be leaving here about 8-ish.

As you see there will be lots of posts this weekend.

allentown walk

This morning I picked up Bonnie and we parked under the Susquehanna Street bridge, and walked north, I think, thru Trout Creek Park.

We headed down Auburn street, and came up the Fillmore Street hill to the park. then played on the swings of course. We cut thru the park and came around St. Paul's Church then crossed Susquehanna street.

We continued to follow 2nd to Brookdale, and came back South Fourth, and back over the bridge.

Partly new. Partly old. Not pre-measured but still 3 miles.

allentown parks volkssport walk

Today was the Allentown parks Volkssport walk.  Lydia arrived here by 9, and we arrived at Bonnies by 9:15. We were early. That's okay. Megs is visiting with the baby so we got to play with the baby.

Since the car seat takes up too much room in the car, we needed to take two cars to the Comfort Suites. I used 309 instead of MLK....it still gives me the heebie jib-bees. Visions of the village idiot running a stop sign and making a left turn kind of haunt me. (But I got the check today! Amazing. Lydia won the pool.)

There was a lot of people today. Maybe 16.

Baby Bjørn was clearly the youngest one there.And he was all signed up for his first walk. We could have gotten him a book. But that would be silly. Mommy is more interested in racing.

The path is simple. It makes a loop around Lake Muhlenberg, and across Ott to the Rose Garden. At the barn you are supposed to go up to Chew. But there was construction, and the hill on the other side was too steep for the stroller, so we just looped back around and made a figure 8. We were only 1/10 short of a 5K.

The ice cream truck was parked at the playground, so we had ice cream for lunch!

Then Lyd and I headed home for Adonis. We hopped into the car and went looking for a park. At one time it was the Archibald Johnson estate.  We found it. But there was ''no trespassing" signs everywhere.

We ended up pulling into a businesses parking lot and walking the dog around the building. He would have never made it home otherwise.

Not sure what the Easter walk will be. I'm headed to church at 5:30 am. Then I have laundry and a boat load of grading to do.

st. patricks day 5k

Today was the St. Patrick's Day 5K, before the parade. A week late. Why? I'm clueless.

Things were different. We usually meet at Memorial Hall. Today it was in the student union. Across campus. There was a volleyball meet in Memorial Hall.

Parking was more of a nightmare than normal. The volleyball game, a symposium, tours you name it. I ended up parking on Liberty, I think. But to do that I arrived about an hour early. I was alone. It was boring.

I took my iPod. That helped during the actual walk. But I was dead last for the whole thing. I think I was the only walker. There were a few run/walkers. The course was similar. Start at Memorial Hall, go down to 21st, then to Tilghman, back to 26th, and repeat. The second time you go to 19th. I guess that's the extra 10th mile to make it 3.1.

At the split I was at 22.38. I think that's pretty good. I finished in about 45 minutes.

No pictures. Sorry. I left my camera at work on Thursday night and can't do selfies with the iPod. I tried. They were horrible.

After the race I went to Cedar Crest Boulevard. I wanted to go to the Highmark store for "affordable" health care. That March 31 deadline is looming. Highmark comes up in my searches as the cheapest each time. And they are not cheap. The highest ones are $1K a month! I thought talking to a "real" person might help. But alas they were not open. So I walked to the other end of the shopping center and bought sugar-free frozen yogurt with fresh fruit.

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?

allentown-parks volkssport walk

Today Bonnie and I tested out the new Allentown-Parks volkssport walk. They are going to retire the "town" one because people don't like walking in creepy neighborhoods to get to cool places. Sadly that's the reality. Maybe when the waterfront reopens I can design a walk that takes you to the art museum, America on Wheels, Trout Hall, ect. without creepiness.

I picked Bonnie up at 7 and we headed to check in at the Comfort Suites. Often check-ins are at hotels/motels. They are open 24/7. After checking in we went back to the car and read the directions. One by one. It was hard and funny because I know where Cedar Creek (aka Beach) Park is.

We parked and started to follow the directions. First stop, Allentown's first "destination" playground.  It's amazing. And totally accessible to everyone. We walked thru the maze of activities on the wheelchair ramp. We would have gone down the extra long slides, had it not rained last night. If I was 2 feet shorter I would have climbed in this spider web. It looks so fun. Maybe I'll need to borrow a child.

Speaking of rain,  it rained hard last night in Allentown, a couple inches an hour. The creek was full and raging. Quickly we discovered that much of the trail was flooded. Entire sections of the lawn were flooded. It was a mess. Our feet were soaked. Several times we went off trail to avoid water. The ducks were swimming on the lawn. And Allen's band was practicing and trying hard to avoid it.

New since the last time I was here (two million years ago) were the "do not feed the geese" signs. $600 is a serious fine.

 We saw no geese. Only geese poop.

We left the park, went to Cedar Crest, back to the park, and headed into west Allentown. When we arrived at Cedar Crest Blvd., we crossed and went into Trexler Park. Made the loop around Trexler, taking the higher road to say hi to the good general. Then out and back up Chew street to Muhlenberg College. Finally we returned to the park via Ott Street.

Today was Bonnie's 10th Volkssport walk. Finally she can send in her Starter book. Next week will be her 11th. We'll be headed to Tamaqua for that one.

Tomorrow, I'm not sure where or how we will walk. The D&L? Intervals? Steps at Lehigh? Guess I need to decide soon.

three walks and the day has just started.

Busy morning.

At 6:30 I was on Bonnie's doorstep to walk in South Allentown. I had seen a stray trail in Trout Creek Park and wanted to see where it went. She was game.

Trout Creek Park is under the Susquehanna Street Bridge and goes to about 8th Street. The main trail there is in rough shape. There is a comfort station, but it's locked. There is a great playground there, and plenty of places to fish. The park is used heavily. I guess you bring a pee jar.

We were the only ones in the lot. It was 6:45 am after all. We headed toward and under the bridge until we came to fallen trees. We couldn't really go much further. So we turned around and headed to 8th street, down to Dixon, and back toward South 4th Street. When we arrived at the "humane" society, we headed into the little development. We're walking toward the back of the shopping center when we met a woman out walking. We said hi. She walked past and stopped. "Are you walking to Price Rite?" "Yes." She told us about how she walks in the development, and has gotten creeped out a couple times by Price Rite. We told her to walk with us. Her name is Stephanie and she drives school bus, so she's off for the summer. She's about to turn 50 and wants to lose the weight. Sound like anyone we know?

When we arrived at the shopping center I asked how far she was going and she said she usually goes to McDonalds, then heads back. The same direction we were headed. So then I asked if she wanted to walk with us—we were headed to the bridge and under it to pick up the car. We'd drive her home. She hesitated — she didn't think she could go that far—but said yes.

While crossing the bridge we found another trail on the other side of the creek. When we returned to the creek, we investigated and found the trail head. I wonder if that new trail replaces the one with the fallen trees and over growth?

It was fun having a new person to walk and talk with. We gave her some hints and website. We exchanged contact information. If we're ever in Allentown we'll let her know. She walked a total of a mile with us.

After dropping Bonnie and Stephanie off, I headed home. Lydia had already arrived. After getting Adonis settled in we headed to the Tail on the Trail (link is for FB pg.) event at Canal Park on the D&L. We were coming down the hill from Hanover Avenue and encountered a train. It was long. Probably took 10 minutes to go thru.

We registered and they had sunscreen in a glue stick form. Very cool. Much easier to apply to the face. The also had apples, oranges, and a trail-mix making station. Since the event was sponsored by St. Luke's, the trail mix making supplies had no nuts available. They did a pretzel, multi-grain Cherrio, banana chip, dried cranberries and raisin mix.

It was a group walk. The Facebook page says about 100 participants. I would say mostly walkers, a handful of bikers, and a couple runners, including the president of St. Luke's Allentown. If you walked to Bethlehem and back it's 8 miles. They were monitoring two miles out and back. Four miles was plenty for me. It's a nice shady trail. That's good to know for when we do the Bethlehem to Allentown and back walk in a week or two.

On the walk, the canal was muddy. A couple people were fishing. You couldn't see fish, you fished on blind faith. We encountered turtles twice. The one in the image above is a mom and child. You might have to click the pix to see her. She's above mom on the tree trunk.

THE BATHROOM WAS OPEN. First time in the 6 years I've been going to the park that it was open. I was so astonished I had to take a picture.

It said on a sign that was tacked up, that the pavilion was rented for today. It was beyond disgusting. Everything —tables, seats, floor—was covered with goose poop. If they are going to rent things like that out it should be cleaned first. Really? Lets talk food safety. I would have left.

We returned home we headed out for my third walk. This time with the furry man himself, Adonis.  He was a hot and tired puppy when we came back. Lydia mowed the lawn and I made lunch.

Tomorrow we are going to Slatington and doing the D&L toward Palmerton. I'm picking Lydia up at 7 am. Looks like another early morning.

---------------
News Flash!
Lydia was logging her Tail on the Trail miles last night and discovered "other" as a location. There is a drop down menu with all the trail heads listed. The last one is "other". It looks like as long as you do 165 miles and tell them the location, you're good. The woman making the announcements today eluded to it also. Logging is on the honor system.

Though I'd like to do all 165 miles on the D&L, realistically I can't commit 10+ miles to it every week. "Other" takes away some of the burden.  I am planning on going back thru the blog, and write down total miles for any trails we walked on.

I might make the 165 miles after all.

lost and found trails and ticks

I had a brilliant idea last night. Let's walk this morning from Allentown's Canal Park to Hanover Township. Turned out to be not my best idea, but it was an adventure.

I've walked the section from Allentown to Bethlehem numerous times, but never the other direction. Thank goodness Bonnie has a sense of humor.

We headed out at about 7 am. To beat the heat, humidity, and Hanover Avenue traffic. We headed over the Hanover Avenue bridge and down the ramp to the Canal Park. Half way down the ramp we saw a trail head sign. I said "Oh look, you can get on the trail here, too. It must join the regular trail." But why would you? There is no place to park.

We parked in the lot at the park, and went down to the trail head. The way to Bethlehem was obvious. The way to Hanover Township not so much. So we followed what looked like a trail in the right direction. It got narrower and narrower, and downright skinny. (See photo above.) We searched for the exit. When we found it, we moved out to the road and walked along the canal. There was an opening in the woods. It was not an entrance. So we doubled back and headed up the ramp. There was a "sidewalk".

When we finally reached the trail it was beautifully paved and straight uphill. It was away from the canal, and a mule would have never made it pulling a boat. Then it leads to a steep downhill. We arrived at Bradford Street and nothing.

We decided to go back to the car, this time walking in the street and not on the crazy disappearing path.

Bonnie wanted to test my theory about Allentown park bathrooms, and they were indeed locked.

We got in the car and headed to Hanover Township. We decided to go from that end and see what we did wrong. The Hanover Township Canal park is beautiful. Much more developed since I was there the last time. The trail there was grass. Ultimately it lead us to Bradford Street. Clearly, you are supposed to walk on Bradford. Mostly without sidewalks. At rush hour on a Monday. No thank you.


As we got in the car, Bonnie saw a tick on her leg. We then did a tick check. I had Pat do another when I got home. I am so used to walking in the city and bike paths, that I've totally forgot about ticks. Bad Girl Scout. There is now Deep Woods Off in my bag keeping the sunscreen company. Now I have to wear two gross products. I'll be glad when the Tail on the Trail challenge is over. We won't be walking as much in the woods.

Today was an adventure to be sure. More of one than I expected. Last night I checked the trail map. Clearly, I read the wrong thing. I thought it said it was underdeveloped. It actually says "Planned future linkage and trail development". Ooops. Actually, it wouldn't take much. Mow the area we were walking, wider, on a regular basis.  Add some signs, make a walking lane on Bradford street, add even more signs. Signs are a really good thing.

The next section goes from the park to Northampton. I know the Northampton end is barely passable. I've walked a few feet on it with Lydia. Next Monday we will try the Hanover Township Catty end and see how far we can go before it gets nasty. The trail map says "Unimproved, open, travel at your own risk".

Wednesday night I'm going to a walking clinic. No Zumba for two weeks.

walking and bingo

Walking I love. Bingo, not so much. But it was for a good cause, near and dear to my late nephews heart. So we go. We even have a name—Jarrod's Jems. That boy was a lightening round for winning. Once we had to take all his stuff to the car at the intermission.

Sharon, Lyd and I met at my place, and came in one car.  We were to meet Bonnie at the Fearless Fire Company at 1:15, leave our car, and take the other one back to Bonnie's, and walk. Bingo started sharply at 3. Sounds great in theory, but with me along you know things won't go easy. And they didn't. I pre-bought our tickets and put them in a basket with my daubbers. Then I forgot the daubbers. So we lost a little walking time having to go back home. I stuffed the tickets in my pocket, and left the daubbers. Didn't want to carry them.

So we walked down Tioga into the wind for several blocks. Finally we turned and headed down to Emmaus Avenue, and cut back at the V. After walking a bit around that neighborhood, we headed to the cemetery, said hi to Jarrod, and went to the fearless. It was close to 3 miles. Considering a straight shot from Bonnie's is about a mile, we did pretty good.

Then at 6ish, when we got home, we took a very excited Adonis for a walk. He wouldn't go out for Pat at all, so he needed to go! Sadly it wasn't a fun walk. We met up with 4-5 other dogs. (Big A doesn't play well with others.)

Another week or so we start training for Bonnie's Derby Half Marathon. I think I'll plan loops so that marathoners are not subjected to 13 miles.

Bonnie only has about 300 minutes for the Iditawalk. Training for the half might get her to Nome before the snow melts.

trout creek park

Since Bonnie is back on the DL it was just Lydia and I walking today.

We parked at Bonnie's mother-in-laws house and headed out Lexington to Chapel. Down Chapel and then out to South Fourth Street where the fast-food industry is booming. They are building more. Knocked down a couple of houses to do it.

Then we headed out Dixon to Mack Boulevard, and in towards Center City. When we arrived at Trout Creek Park we cut thru the park and followed a very poor path that wound thru the park. Huge potholes and big cracks were everywhere. The closer we got to the Susquehanna Street bridge the better it got. The path continued under the bridge and I'm guessing went to Walnut or Union.

We turned at the bridge and crossed. After crossing in the no pedestrian crossing zone, we headed up Susquehanna to Meadow, down to Chapel and back Lexington.

On out way back down Lexington, we called Bonnie to see if she wanted to go on a short walk, but she had plans. So we headed home where Adonis was waiting for his walk. Total mileage 3.75.

Yesterday it rained so Betsy and I didn't go. Later in the afternoon there was a break in the storms and I walked to Ahart's and back. Got back just as the rain started to fall again.

Wednesday I almost forgot to go to Zumba! But I remembered and went. Didn't want to miss my last class till spring break.

School starts Monday so the challenge of getting three jobs done and walking will begin again.

east allentown

Today we did the East Allentown triangle. It's a hair over 3 miles. Closer to the marathon we'll do it twice, once in each direction. That will add hills and other challenges.

We started at Planet Fitness and headed east on Hanover, with a quick photo stop in front of Scoobie's Gentleman's Club. 

Then we headed west on Union, and came down Irving and back Hanover. The new pedestrian safety island is nice, adds a little something to the 'hood. Will it help save lives? Not sure.

I must say that the sidewalks in Allentown—at least where we were walking—are much better than some of the ones we walk on regularly.

This route can be made four miles quite easily, and even six when it is closer to the half marathon. Which for Bonnie is in May. I'll have to plan loops, so those who do want to go the distance, don't have to.

I also took a pixs of a new restaurant. I thought it was a funny combo. But my friend assures me that in North Africa kabobs and pizza share space. I'd like to try the kabobs. No website. Foolish. One day I'll go anyway.

wpa stairs

I drive up and down Martin Luther King Drive in Allentown frequently. I always see these stair built by the WPA during the Great Depression. Part of Roosevelt's rebuilding plan. Every time I drive past I say, I must climb up those stairs.

Today was the day.

We parked at Fountain Pool, crossed the street and headed up the stairs. There's 88, and at the top it Ys off. We went right where there's more stairs. The other side is more ramp like. For the most part the stairs are in good shape. But there's a few spots where the rocks are missing. They do need a little TLC but I'm guessing the city has no money for that. Too bad. They'll crumble like the limestone kilns in Coplay and Alburtis.

We turned to go up 10th street, and it was a hill. Bonnie says I've taken her up worse in South Bethlehem. I tested out the technique for walking up hills we learned and it didn't work. Maybe I was doing something wrong.

We headed out Walnut to 12th, then up 12th and around Union Cemetery. They sustained a lot of storm damage and have been cutting trees and stacking the wood between tombstones.  As much as I love trees, those are dying and should come down. The storm exposed the extent of their decay.

We returned to Hamilton via 10th street and headed toward the courthouse. 

The hole for the Hockey arena is at least 1 square block big, and at least three stories, if not more, deep. We turned on Court, went thru the art park, around the art museum, and down Fourth past Trout Hall, which was decorated for Christmas. We crossed by the Parkettes and followed the trail back to the car.

Just over 3.5 miles.

When we came back, we walked the dog and added another half mile.