lazy week

After a very active weekend, the week turned lazy, quick.

Monday is a horribly long day, but usually I get some walking in. This Monday, I didn't my step total was only 7800! That includes walking across campus at both Lafayette and Northampton. It was the last day of school for the term

Tuesday I ended up working and another stellar non-day. Worse than Monday it was only 5500! Bonnie and I thought we'd walk after work, but I had a long boring meeting and it was dinnertime when I called her. After dinner I parked my fat tush on the couch and did nothing. Totally turned off the brain. It was divine. Now if someone could tell me how Person of Interest ended I'd appreciate it. I really don't want to wait till September for the new season. Way to Orwellian for my taste this week.

Wednesday I didn't do much better. I could have gone back to Zumba, but I didn't.

Finally yesterday, Bonnie and I walked. We're kind of tired of the neighborhood so we tried to mix up the Ft. Hill walk. This time we headed up Bishopthorpe to Jeter, then made a stop at an old friends house to deliver a note. We backtracked to Graham and went up to the first entrance of the cemetery. Then we walked thru the cemetery and found the new "green" burial grounds near the top of the hill. We continued on the road and came out at the top-most point of Dotson. We turned onto Graham and went to Public, and came down Public to Broadway.

On Public I found these beautiful dogwood trees.

We came down Broadway, past Kids Peace (aka Wiley House)  and went up Dorothy to Moravian. Coming back down the hill and out Church, past the grade school (aka Ft. Hill High) to Frederick. Then we wove our way back down to Sioux and the alley. Then it was back up Clewell to Sioux and home.

I forgot to ask Bonnie how far we went, but for the first time in four days my FitBit was over 10K. Actually, it even went over 15K.

ten surfaces

Today Bonnie, Lyd and I went walking on the north side. We started at the city center, headed up Center toward Washington Avenue with a stop at Eryn's.

I promised no big hills so when we arrived at Greenwich, we hung a left towards New. Then Lydia said, "the mural is still there!" I never noticed it, how is that possible?, so we hiked back to see it, then headed out the alley.

Parked a half block away from the mural was the coolest car, made of random junk. At first I thought it was a hot rod. Then we got closer. It was made of random stuff. The trunk handle was a hot water faucet. The windows were stained glass. The doors were lined with jeans. The stick was a beer tap. Covervette engine. Coca Cola bottle opener door handle. It reminded me of the old song where the guy built the car from parts he stole from the auto plant...One Piece At A Time, Johnny Cash.

The guy came out of his house to talk to us. He looked like part of the cast of Duck Dynasty.

We headed up New past Elin's old house and into the cemetery. Lydia wanted to say hi to her grandmother. Then we went looking for mine—my great grandmother. Or is it great-great. I forget.

Then out Washington, back to the city center via Main and Church. The walk was nothing spectacular until we started counting surfaces

1)  brick
2)  cobblestone
3)  slate
4)  brownstone (stairs)
5)  stones
6)  grass
7)  dirt
8)  grass
9)  concrete
10) macadam

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!

six down, four to go

Today Bonnie and I did two of the Passport to Fitness walks.

The first was in Riverton at the Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, and the PPL / Lower Mt. Bethel Twsp. Trails. There are a total of five trails. This open space, forest, farmland, park land surrounds the PPLs nuclear power generating station. Google maps said it would take 48 minutes to get there. I think it was closer to 40. Which was nice.

We did the macadam trail (purple) around the visitors center. That's only a 1/4 mile. Then we did a portion of the Riverside (blue) Trail. Maybe a mile. I would have like to have gone all the way to the nuclear reactors. (Well, not all the way. I'm sure there is a really huge fence at some point) However, the trail became more and more narrow. Barely passable. Clearly, nobody has been using that portion of the trail. Finally we turned around and came back. Some day I'd like to take the yellow trail which runs next to the road. But today, that was totally in the sun. Perhaps that's an afternoon hike another time.

For those of you looking, the Passport marker is after the little bridge. Oh, and remember your crayon. I had the books, but no crayon or pencil. I did the best I could with my key. Bonnie's is better than mine. If they (the people who collect the books) don't like it, I always have a photo of each marker to prove I was there.

We really didn't need the sunscreen while hiking at the Preserve because the tree canopy was so dense. Most of the time you couldn't even see the river, and it was 15 feet away. We should, however,  pack some Deep Woods Off! I think I might have some in the garage.

When we returned to the Welcome Center we found not only bathrooms, but 24-hour bathrooms. Those of you who do not use park bathrooms may not understand our joy. Many times they are only open the hours of the welcome facility or environmental center. Sometimes, like in Allentown parks, they are never open. It's hit and miss.

We hopped in the car and headed to Jacobsburg State Park. We parked at the Boulton Historic Site lot. There was signage, and a trail head marker, and lots of trails. But none were marked. Confused,  we decided to drive to the other entrance, and easily found the Henry's Woods Trail. About a half miles or so in, we found our marker. (In the parking lot I found a pencil!) We kept walking straight after the official trail ended. Guess where we ended up? You're right, at the first parking lot. We turned around and came back. 

The bathrooms were open there too. Twice in one day! Clearly the state has not touched the potty budget...yet We returned to the car again and headed home. Today I think we spent more time driving than walking. Maybe a total of4, 4-1/2 miles.


Saturday we'll do the one at the Monocacy Nature Trail and Sand Island. We can turn in our first six walks at the Environmental Center (one of the few open Sunday's). I think we get a Wegman's coupon. How much, don't know. Then after we finish 10 we turn it in again. Hopefully, they don't keep our books. I'm kind-of getting attached to it.

All that remains is the covered bridge at the Game Preserve (I can never remember what the new politically correct name is...Trexler Nature Center, maybe?), and the D&L in Easton. That day will be a two-fer, getting mileage for the Tail On The trail challenge. But that needs to be a less hot day. No shade on half that trail.I've walked it before.

After taking Bonnie home, I was going to try to find a cool spot and relax. Who comes driving up but Lyd and Adonis. She and her boy-toy are taking his kids to the LV Zoo today. Why anyone would go to a zoo in this heat is beyond me. All the animals will be hiding. Anyway, the roomie said, sure we'll take the dog.

So I walked the dog. And used the leash he earned walking the Idita Walk this winter. I'm fairly sure you'll see it on the Idita Walk FB page. Then later, right before she came back, I walked him again. These were short walks. Just to the cemetery and around it. Too hot for a longer walk. He was not happy. He knows we always go for a long walk.

tile, tile, everywhere.

Today we were in Doylestown walking with the Liberty Bell Wanderers. I've never walked outside of the downtown area before. There is tile in every corner of the borough. Clearly the Mercer legacy continues. I choose to post this one from Freedom Park to post because it's Memorial Day weekend. The stairs say "walk to freedom".

There was only about ten walkers at the start—the YMCA of Bucks County. (A really nice Y.) One was Carol, who organizes the trips.  It turns out that this is the first walk we took since sending in our starter books at Christmas time. As the man was stamping, he said, where's your event book? I didn't have one. Must order one tonight. They will have them next week at the walk in Bala Cynwyd, but I doubt if we'll go that far. Though I bet that's a pretty walk.

We got our instructions and headed out. Lots of twists and turns. It took a lot of reading, and I managed to read AND stayed upright.

Finally we arrived at the Michener Art Museum. When I saw the mule from Miles of Mules, I realized I hadn't been there since 2000. Long time.  At the end of the road from the museum, we found and walked a community labyrinth. Well, I walked it. Lydia took pixs. She thought I was nuts. Then she took a pix of the entire group walking thru it. Quite a site. Eight people walking a labyrinth.

Then we wove thru downtown, including the farmers market. I had no money with me, so of course they had a lot of kale. Three different kinds. Lyd bought some dog cookies for the spoiled boy.

After that, we got a little lost, spied the rest of the group, and walked together to Fonthill Castle. Have you every been there? The castle consists of forty-four rooms: 10 bathrooms, 5 bedrooms, 18 fireplaces, an Otis elevator and 21 chimneys and air vents. And nearly every square inch is filled with Mercer tile. It's been a long time since I was inside.

We headed down to the Moravian Tile Works, and then came back past the castle, to the Doylestown Cemetery, and arround it. Grave of note—W. Atlee Burpee of the Burpee Seed Company.

While walking, I talked to Carol about have to make trails and what you need to do to get them sanctioned. I'd walk more often with the Wanderers (it's 3 bucks a walk, if you want credit) if most walks weren't Philly and it's 'burbs. (There is a Bethlehem, and two Allentown walks.)

After the cemetery, we left the other behind and finished the course, Then headed home. We had a spoiled dog to walk!

Tomorrow we'll be doing one of our challenge walks. Either the passport walk in Bangor or Jacobsburg. Or perhaps a leg of the D&L.

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.