my house smelled like autumn

Lydia is still having car issues so I planned a walk near her house on the Nor Bath trail today. That way I could pick her up and we'd be almost there.

The plan was to meet Bonnie, Megan and the baby, and Angel and her family at trail head. But Angel wasn't feeling well and Bonnie and Megan went to the wrong trail head. So Bonnie and I headed into Northampton to meet them at the Siegfried* train station. Then we moved across the street to the Northampton Heritage trail, which is part of the D&L. That section is paved, but once out of town it is totally natural. This is one section of the D&L that is not developed.

Then I took Lyd home and we picked up Adonis to go to my house.  It was the first time an animal had been in my car since I brought Snowball home for Megan when she was a child.

We opened the door and the house spelled wonderful. I had a beef roast ready for the oven when I left. The roomie put it in at 10:30. When we were kids mom put a roast in before church and it was ready when we came home. It smelled like that. And it tasted even better. Can't beat the meat from the farm.

The dog managed to get two walks before we had to leave for Basket Bingo. This bingo is held by the Boy Scout Troop Camp Association. Jarrod loved the camp that they manage in Allentown. Or is it Salisbury? Anyway, we go every year. And usually leave empty handed. I call it a charitable donation. But this year we won. A lot.

All in all, it was a good day.

* The Siegfried Station name came from the original settlement's founder, Lehigh River banks store/tavern/ferry/bridge owner John Siegfried. In 1902 the nearby communities of Siegfried, Stemton, and Newport had merged to form the Borough of Alliance, a name which lasted until 1909 when it was renamed Northampton.

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.

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.

southside walk

I haven't walked much at all this week. I have been up to my eyeballs in work. The semester starts in a week and I am hopelessly behind. I feel like a rat trapped in a maze. My pedometer barely nudged past 6K steps. Yesterday, at 10:30 am it was under 700. I had been working since 6:15. My friend, as expected, has surged past me in the weekly Fitbit standings, leaving me in her dust.

Oh well.

Last night Lydia came over and I made her eat eggplant. It must not have been horrible. She went back and got two more slices. Clearly Elin didn't like it. It was one of mom's summer staples. It's really good with applesauce dumped on it. Like a latka.

After eating we took the dog for his 1/2 mile loop. Then I brought the dog back to Pat, and we headed out Itaska towards Lehigh. Our ultimate destination was CVS. Lydia's new-to-me FitBit battery was acting wonky. It needed to be replaced. We headed up Wyandotte, out Summit and to campus. We crossed diagonally across campus, out Packer and down the New Street stairs. Then it was out the alley to a sculpture garden, down to Campus Square. Then down Brodhead to CVS. Ultimately we wove our way home. Sadly it was only 2.5 miles.

new hope and washington crossing

Yesterday we all went to New Hope to do the Volkssport border crossing walk. When we were done, we headed to Washington's Crossing and did it again.

This trip was more complex than most. We had to take two cars. the infant car seats only allow one passenger in the back. In many ways it's terrific. Since you are following people you obey the speed limit and every sign. In other ways it's not. One gets the light, the other doesn't. One gets a little ahead and turns, and the other gets lost. (That would be me.)

The start point for the New Hope walk was a Ramada way out of town. Then we had to drive back into town to do the walk. We did a little of New Hope walk, then crossed the bridge and saw 14 turtles, then headed out the D&R (Delaware and Raritan) Canal path. Quickly we came to a detour and followed it. It returned to the trail at — you guessed it — the turning point. We headed back into town and back over the bridge to New Hope.

 Megs leave the little on in New Jersey, while she stays in Pennsylvania. We won't tell Papa.

I'm in Jersey. Bonnie is in Pennsylvania and Lydia is straddling both states.

The route wound around New Hope and picked up the canal path near the Locktender's House. Megan couldn't take the baby down the steps so the Stephens' family went on an adjacent street and Lydia and I went to the D&L. Of course, we misplaced each other. Phoning wasn't working so I said to Lydia let's go to Main Street and just stand there. They'll come. They did.

Then a pitstop at the train station to change the baby (who flirted with the conductor) and for the adults to use the restroom (I-3.5). Then it was back to the car.

After a stop for a late lunch it was off to Washington's Crossing in New Jersey. The start point for that walk. New Jersey State Parks charge for parking on weekends. Who knew? There was a little chaos finding our way into the visitor center but we finally got there and signed in.  The ladies room (I-2.5) had no changing table for the baby so Megs changed him on the sink!

Then we headed off to walk back to Pennsylvania! The sidewalk on this bridge is skinny (and not turtles). The bridge is skinny. We kind-of went off course and walked around the Pa. side of the park, stopping at the Visitors Center. It's beautiful. Looks fairly new. (I-4.5. I bet it's a 5 first thing in the morning!)

We decided not to follow each other going home. I came back thru Pennsylvania. Bonnie thru Jersey. I wanted to stop at Bowman's Hill Tower for the "best view of Bucks County." And to climb stairs. The ranger was closing the park when we arrived at 4:15. (The pix is from Wikipedia.) On Wikipedia I read that they remodeled in the 80s and put in an elevator. I wonder if stairs are still an option. You only must climb 23 for the top most point.

When we got home, I walked the dog. He was happy.

monocacy trail

We were scheduled to walk the Parkway at 9 this morning. At 8:25 Lyd arrived with the dog. At the same time the phone rang. It was Bonnie. "I overslept. I'm not walking today." So instead of walking in Allentown we stayed in Bethlehem.

First stop, Hotel B. We had to refill the Volkssport box with start cards. That's usually a very popular walk, but with the south Bethlehem walk and the new Allentown walk, it's getting minimal traffic.

We headed down to the historic district and up Conastoga Street to the trail head. It's so humid, we were soaked. Then headed out the trail to the Burnside Plantation where we visited the gardens and the police horses. When we reached Paint Mill Road, we crossed the railroad track, and used the track at the old 24/7 fitness center, then turned around, retraced our steps, and headed back to the hotel. With a stop at the Millers garden.

When we returned home we took the dog for a long walk, bumping our total to almost 4 miles.

Tomorrow I have to head out early. My sister is coming at 10.

walking south bethlehem

Today Lydia and I did a variation of the South Bethlehem Volkssport walk. I say a variation, because we started at my house and trimmed other spots off.

We headed up to Sioux and out Summit to the Admin building at Lehigh and played in their sculpture fountain.

Then it as thru Lehigh and time to take selfies with the sculptures. This bronze lad looks like he's hitting on Lydia! After Zollner we headed down to the green way to the casino and outlet mall then back under the Hoover Mason Trestle.

We stared at it awhile trying to figure out if progress was being made. Couldn't. then continued on our way. They ripped down another building on this route, and the fencing said HMT gate 3? What is that?

It became abundantly clear when we hit the Steel Stacks. They've put up a sign—"HMT Hoover Mason Trestle take a walk through history. Under construction." They are also putting up Musikfest.

All in all it was about 5.5 miles. A good walk at about an 18 minute mile pace. Even better since this is about 5th day in a row I've worn my Birks to walk in.

Before Lydia we't home, we took the dog for a walk.

fountain hill

Today we did the loop of Fountain Hill. One of our regular walks. Even though we didn't talk to each other, we were all wearing our Tail on the Trail swag! How funny is that. It lasted about halfway thru the walk.

We went out Itaska, then out the alley to Sioux, then off toLackawanna Avenue and down to Broadway. Yep, we had the native American tribes covered. They don't call this neighborhood Indian Hills for nothing.

We crossed Broadway and went out Smile and then Stanley. The FOuntain Hill walk would not be complete without a stop at the Stanley Avenue Recreation Area (aka Ft. hill playground) for SWINGS! How we love swings. Though there were children there today so we didn't stay very long.

 

Ultimately we ended up on Ostrum, past the hospital, then on to Brighton were we encountered spring. These irises are really early.

From Brighton we crossed the bridge, went down the ramp and headed home out Broadway.

Then it was time for Adonis' walk. All in all it was about 4 miles.