farmers market thursday

Since I went back to school August 25, my hours shifted for my many jobs. I am now off on Thursdays till about 4ish. I'm headed to work when everyone is headed home.

The south Bethlehem Farmers market is conveniently held on Thursdays at Campus Square. Megan, the baby and Bonnie and I usually take a 3-4 mile walk to get there. I have to get very creative with the routes. There is only so many ways to get tot he university.

Today I was smart and took two bags and balanced my groceries in them. Bonnie pushed the stroller home and Megan ended up carrying about 25 pounds. Next week Bonnie is taking an extra bag too.

Today we headed up the hill, out Sioux, down Clewell and out the alley to Bergen. We crossed Broadway and came back Seneca. Up the hill that I thought was huge as a kid, and past the old 'hood. Then we headed down fourth, to New and to the market. We zig-zagged our way back up the hill and home.

Last night I went to Zumba. It's back on. I'm worse at it now than I ever was. Oh well. After fighting with my sister I could blow off steam.

Tuesday I walked at the crack of dawn with Bonnie in her neighborhood. There was a fresh dead skunk on Emmaus Avenue and I couldn't walk out in the street to avoid it. Too much traffic. So I returned to the neighborhood and met up with Bonnie at the Daisy Hill.  I'm pretty certain she thought I was nuts.

Monday and Wednesday I walked at lunchtime. But maybe only a mile and a half. Not much. One day I only had 5,000 steps.


Speaking of steps. I received a message from Fit Bit today that I have reached 4000 flights of stairs (inclines) and have been awarded my 747 badge. It will probably be a year or two before I see the next one. I have to double—8000—the amount of stairs.

Tomorrow it's walking in south Whitehall with Betsy. Then Saturday it's the 30th anniversary celebration of the Liberty Bell Wanderers at Lake Galenda in Doylestown. That's a 10K walk.

a walk on the D&L

Thursday Bonnie, Megan, the Wee One, and I walked again to the south side farmers market. We took the scenic route through Fountain Hill to get there.  Again I bought heavy food. Will I ever learn. This time it was a giant head of cauliflower. I almost wished I would have had a knife with me. I could have cored it and left all the leaves there. It probably would have weighed half as much.

I had mail to take to the post office. I put it in my grocery sack to carry it for the first part of the walk. At the farm stand, I took it out, but needed to set it down to get money out. I was nearly to Broughal when I realized I left my mail (and Bonnie's mail) at the farm stand. I ran walked back and it was still there.

Next stop, the post office. I needed to mail the letters, and buy 100 stamps. They have no machine at that branch. There were two people in line and the person in front of me looked aggravated. I can see why. The person in front of him had 50 letters and each one needed to be weighed individually. Because it was lunch time there was only one clerk on. Bonnie and Megan though I got lost.

We finally reconnected and walked home. We were about 2 blocks away when the Wee One decided he no longer wanted to be in his stroller.

Friday I walked with Betsy early in the morning. then Pat and I headed up to the Monroe campus to see the faculty art show.

Yesterday, we all did the D&L tow path from Bethlehem to Freemansburg.  It was advertised as 6 miles. It was a little longer. An no, I didn't get the uniform memo.

We started at the ice house and headed east thru Sand Island to the D&L. The weeds on the side of the trail are giant. You can see that in the group picture. The narrow portion of the trail is very narrow. We arrived at the first Freemansburg bridge in about an hour. We only had one stop with the baby. He was not a happy hiker and cried a lot. By Freemansburg he was asleep.

Megs, Bonnie and I wanted to climb the stairs to the bridge. Lydia didn't. So she took the baby and walked ahead. We'd catch up.

Back when mama was alive if we gave her a grocery cart, she forgot all about her arthristis and flew thru the store like she had wings. Apparently Lydia is the same with a stroller. I had to run to pass her to take the picture. She stopped so Bonnie and Megs were able to catch up.

Megan took over the stroller until we reached the Minsi Trail bridge and the same thing happened. We climbed, she took the baby and flew away.

By the time Lydia gave him back at Sand Island he was awake and unhappy.  Megan took the stroller and kept moving. But he was over the stroller.

When we returned to the road I took him out and I gave him my piggies hat. And we walked back to meet Lydia. She had climbed down some stairs to get a picture of the Steel.  We took selfies. He didn't understand. But he was quiet. In the distance I could see Megs and Bonnie coming down the Fahy bridge stairs. I gave them back the baby and I climbed them. All in all it was about 7 miles.

Bathrooms, according to Lyd were an I-3.5.

When we arrived home, we took Adonis out for another 1/2 mile.

Later in the afternoon, I went out for another mile or so. My total for the day was 20K steps, and 25 stairs.

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.

hellertown

Today we walked on the Saucon Rail Trail. It was fairly shady, which was good because the temps are rising again.

Lydia and I arrived about the same time as Bonnie's family. The Wee One was asleep.  We parked under the trees by the creek. They were setting up the farmer's market.

The Saucon Rail Trail is an out an back trail. At some point it will connect with the Bethlehem Greenway. We left Water Street Park and headed south west toward Center Valley. At about 1.75 we turned around and headed back.

When we arrived back at the Grist Mill these girls set up a lemonade stand. The lemonade was free, but they were collecting donations for Alex's Lemonade Stand. We had no money but promised to bring some back. (And I did.) For Country Time it wasn't too sweet. I think they added less mix. Total we walked about 3.5 miles.

The theme of the market this week was bee's. People were even dressed like bees. At the honey stand they brought an active hive. Since I'm going on vacation next week I bought very little. It would be compost when I got back. Megan chose Bonnie's groceries since she'll be cooking while Bonnie is gone. Lydia even picked up a few things.

Tomorrow the road trip begins. We'll be heading to The Wild's. I have a 2:00 reservation. I've been wanting to go there for about a dozen years. Then we'll stay the night in Xenia, Ohio to do a Volkssport walk before we finish the trip. There are only four towns in the whole country to do the X-walk. Too bad there isn't another in Zanesville. That's another toughie.

Next report will be from the road.

you don't do much walking making balls.

In my town there is a huge music festival every August. It has a fairly large art component to it. This year the local knitting store is planning to yarn bomb it.

It takes a lot of hands and a lot of yarn to do this. So they have started three months early. When I took my sisters panels in the other day they already had garbage bags filled with panels.  They will also hang pom poms from the tree and maybe a foot bridge, to make it even more festive.

I love public art. I love to participate in it. I had to do this. What I didn't realize is how much time it takes.

Or maybe, I didn't realize how much time I spend walking ever day. Last night when I removed my FitBit I wasn't even to 5000 steps. On a Wednesday! Why, Because I was making pom poms from all my leftover yarn. To the point where there is nothing left in the yarn bins. I've even used up the roomies scraps. (I'm fairly sure she is close to being a hoarder. A foot long piece of yarn shouldn't be saved.) I am down to my last basket of yarn. That should be gone tonight.

Bonnie is still sick, or sick of walking, so I was left to my own devices again today. At noon I walked to the south Bethlehem Farmer's Market. I got some organic snow peas, beans, and kale. I also got the tallest asparagus in the world.

Walking home I came straight out Broadway. When I reach Aunt Dorthy's alley the skies opened up. I was drenched when I returned home.

art trail

Today there was four us us! L'il Bug was hanging at my house for the night/day and she came along. Clearly we can't take selfies with shorter people. This is the best one.

We parked downtown and walked toward the trailhead, and then came back. Why? So we could go to the farmer's market of course.

 There is more art on the art trail. The red arch is new, as is this wooden piece. The gates have been there since the beginning but today they were open.

Today we could walk thru the gates and head toward the cemetery. Clearly they want no monkey business around the dead.

On the way back L'il Bug saw the scarlet tangier. Actually there were three. On the way down the trail she also saw what we think was an albino Mallard. He had the green head, but everything else was white.

The last shot in the series above is the silk mill from the trail. The trailhead begins at the silk mill. I believe they are turning it into apartments and lofts.

We returned to the car and headed to the square. Lydia headed into Crayola to use their facilities while we waited outside. There L'il Bug played "hug a crayon", instead of a tree.

More greens, but still light on produce. Many more organic / natural meats, cheeses, breads. The pickle people were there too. Also places selling plants.

After shopping till we dropped, we headed to the Purple Cow Bank Street Creamery for ice cream for lunch. Then headed out the artists alley and back to the car.

We walked a total of about 4 miles.

water street park

Sunday we walked in Water Street Park. We took the original trail, not the rail trail. It progressively gets more natural. It's nice. But it's only about a mile one way.

Because my feet hurt I wore my Birks. It was divine not to have stupid sneakers on. But I was the slowest walker. Well behind Lydia and Bonnie. But it doesn't matter. I did it. Right?

Yes, and Birks with a fleece jacket is also weird. Call me complex.

Then we went to the Saucon Valley Farmers Market. Very few veggies at this point—honey, bread, plants, soaps, pickles, ect. We all received free bags. Mine is peach.

After I got home Sharon and I started cutting up the monster rose bush. When Kool-J and Lil Bug arrived they helped too. Then it was lawn mowing and weeding. And I still had two days of work to do in my online class.

Sunday I slept well.

(I lost all my photos yesterday when iPhoto ate them. It was quite hungry. These are from Lyds FB page.)

not my best week.

It's the 4th day of Christmas. I should call it the 6th day of laziness.

A changed worked schedule, holiday activities, you name it, all got in the way of walking. It's Saturday at nearly 3:00 and I haven't hit 70,000 steps this week. I usually reach that by Thursday.

Let's see, when did I walk.

Thursday I walked with Bonnie in South Bethlehem. I have no idea how far. We took the scenic route to the Portuguese tailor on Fourth by Buchanan. Hemming her old long coat short and adding a button hole was only $18. It looks like a new coat. I love repurposing. As we left the tailor shop, the snow began to fall. By the time we arrived at my place, there was almost a half inch on the ground. It stopped in about an hour, but I did have to sweep my sidewalks. (Wait, I burned 3 more calories....yeah!)

Friday I walked with Besty in her 'hood. The tin soldiers and happy reindeer were out keeping watch over the neighborhood again. Although this year, it looked like someone was lawn bowling with the tin soldiers. (The pixs are from last year.)

Today I went to Easton. But not much walking happened.

I parked at a lot on Third, near Ferry, and walked to the ATM, and then up to the old Weller Center for the Winter Mart. As I suspected not much in the way of veggies. Mostly root crops that store well for the winter. Bakers, soap makers, jars of honey and preserves filled the joint. Also a large local meat stand. Oh and coffee. Smelled really good.

From there I walked up to the Nurture Nature Center. I've heard about it, not sure what was there. On the third floor is a giant sphere that they do a "science on the sphere" Today it was planets.

These two little stops took much longer than anticipated, so the walk was short. Now I'm headed—on foot—to the grocery store. I have to make at least 10K today. There is no way I'm going to make up the 16K deficit for the week.

I wonder if I can pace back and forth in the living room tonight and read my novel. It works on a treadmill....

a little different walk

Today we took my host-student from Tunsia to a corn maze. We walked over four miles, in a couple acres.

We completed the children's area, and then the next level. After 2.5 hours, we decided not to do the final area. That alone was larger than what we had completed already.

In the children's area we did rubbings of the clues. In the second area, we used a whole punch to play a game of clue. The chickens did it with rat poison in the haystack.

 After walking, we showed her how the corn gets into the silo. Sadly, they were done for the day. Guess they are waiting to harvest the corn maze. Tomorrow is the last day.

Then we went and checked out the goats, and the farm stand. Since I got apples yesterday, the only thing I bought was homemade black raspberry jelly. I also got us each a caramel apple. I told W to slice it before she tries to eat it. Especially with her braces!

Then we drove to 248 to look for someplace to eat. We ended up at a place called Wild Buffalo Wings.

tail on the trail challenge

Today we headed for the D&L canal path. You'll see that a lot this summer. We have 165 miles to do to meet the challenge!

The plan was to start in Bethlehem, head to Freemansburg, and come back. That was not meant to be. There was a 5K race on Sand Island!

So we drove to Freemansburg and did the 3-mile section between Freemansburg and Sand Island. When we arrived, they were mowing the canal! Clearly, water is not allowed in that section. The rest of the canal was ready to overflow.

Each milestone on this section of trail, is about a mile apart. Makes for an easy gauge of where you are. It's about a mile between the New Street and Minsi Trail Bridges. Then another mile to the Freemansburg bridge. The trailhead is on the other side of town and Freemansburg is exactly one mile long.

When we finally arrived back in Bethlehem the 5K was over.

All the sections I've walked on the D&L are pretty wide, and well groomed. But the section between the Freemansburg and Minsi bridges has always been narrow. You have to walk single file. Rumor has it that they will finally finish this section next year. I hope so. And they removed the port-o-potty in Freemansburg. That stunk.

We broke from the canal path to use the bathroom on Sand Island. I was going to walk the actual trail to find the Passport to Fitness marker while the others took the direct route to the comfort station. Not necessary. After we crossed the bridge onto the island, the post was right there. We did our rubbings on the way back.That leaves Trexler, Monocacy and Hugh Moore left on that challenge.

That seven miles we did today is the start of our serious training for the half marathon. Bonnie and I can do it, we did it in Atlantic City. But Lydia doesn't have the endurance yet. She's getting better. I think we finally broke the four mile wall.

We'll gradually make the walks longer. That's why the D&L is perfect. It's flat, even, for the most part, and has bathrooms. Except in Allentown. (Always locked!) When we do the four miles from Allentown to Bethlehem, we'll start in Allentown. Bethlehem's bathrooms are open. Won't make that mistake again.

Hugh Moore might be good for next week. Another two-fer. The Passport markers and another three mile section of the canal towpath, to the Forks of the Delaware and Lehigh. Another six mile walk.

Lydia is very influenced by advertising. For weeks she has been talking about a Hot Chocolate Coolata. I looked up the calories and said not worth it. Today, she said, I walked seven miles, I earned the Coolata. So I went to the DD drive-thru and got one—with three straws.  It tastes like really cold chocolate milk. Certainly not worth the calories.

We came back over the Minsi and headed down Third. We came across the Art District Farmers Market. They were closing up, but farmers will stop packing for breathing customers. I had no money with me, so know I owe Bonnie. She knows where I live.

Tomorrow I think we're doing Monocacy. Lydia may have a Father's Day date at the Philly Zoo.

races, dog walking, pickles, and cirque du solei

Sunday was the Saucon Loves Boston 5K at the Hellertown Grist Mill, on the Saucon Rail Trail.  Lydia and I met her friends Mandy and Dawn there.

The 5K was just for runners. The walk was only 2 miles. Lyd and I decided to do it anyway because the proceeds went to the survivors fund for medical expenses.

It was a nice, organized race. Out and back on the trail. 

But I have two rules for 5Ks. First, you don't take down the finish line before the walkers are done. Second, you stop traffic, not the walkers. They broke the second rule. Pissed me off big time. My finished time was 35:48. It could have been minimum of 30 seconds shorter, if not a full minute. It felt like we stood at the intersection forever.

After the race was over, we headed down the street to the Saucon Farmers Market. If the pickle guy was there, Pat wanted pickles. Thank goodness he was there. I bought two different pickles, Lyd got artichokes (pictured), and I got garlic stuffed olives. I could have bought much more, but that is way too much salt for me. These puppies will need to last.

I also bought red Russian kale. The farmer said it wasn't as bitter as regular kale. We'll see. I also bought the prettiest head of lettuce I've every seen at the same stand. If youu want baked goods, that market has a ton of bakers.

 When we returned home and walked the dog, of course.

Then it was time for round two. Alan dropped off Bonnie, and we headed downtown for dinner. We finished about an hour before the bus was to come and spent the time walking around downtown Bethlehem. Then we grabbed the bus and headed to Camden.


We arrived in Camden an hour early, so we walked on the Camden waterfront for a while. There was a also a game at the ballpark.

Finally, we headed for the big top.

I spent four hours sitting on a bus and managed to get nearly 16,000 steps in. That won't happen today. The torrential downpours are back. I'll have to find Walk At Home videos online. I used to have 2 DVDs but they were borrowed and never returned.

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.

thursday at the farmers market

I picked Bonnie up at the crack of dawn for hand therapy. Okay. It wasn't the crack of dawn. But it was 7:30 am.

We were planning to go to Trexler Park to walk afterwards but as we arrived it started to pour. I guess I should be thankful I made the wrong turn or we would have been soaked.

By the time I dropped her off and got home the rain stopped. Within a half hour the sun was brilliant and the sky was blue.

I looked on the radar map and the next wave of water looked about an hour away. Enough time to walk to the farmers market.

Lots of baked goods and soaps and thing. But the produce was slim pickins. I really wanted kale. I guess it was too early. I went to the meat truck and got local ground lamb and lamb sausage. Notice the theme.

I need to look for a recipe for hassira online for the sausage. Or maybe I'll make the Yeman mint pesto that Zahra showed me how to make at Easter dinner.

By the time I reached the five points, the clouds were getting black again. I was worried But I made it home with about a half hour to spare.

a day in easton

Like I don't go to Easton frequently.

Today I signed up for a rain barrel making workshop at Weyerbach Brewery. I remember my dad trying to have one when we moved into this house. It was a wooden booze barrel, open on the top. It filled easily with water, and algae and mosquitos. I gardened a lot then, but rain barrels weren't for me. They were gross. It lasted till the barrel rotted and broke apart.

I really don't grow my own veggies any more. Not sure why. Maybe it's because growing, or canning for one seems silly. In the summer I get veggies from friends and family, and shop the local farm markets and stands.

But I do grow, or attempt to grow, flowers. Watering my yard is a pain. It's long and skinny. If I connect several hoses together they become a tangled mess. Modern rain barrels are better than what my dad used, so I decided to give it a shot.

Since we were going to Easton, we went to the farm market. The oldest—or at least they say— in the country. Nice variety, although the one stand's produce looked like it was left over from last week. I had my sister with me and I left her pick out what I bought. I thought maybe then she'd cook it. Jury is still out on that one. Hoping.

Then we headed to the brewery for the workshop. The barrel was quite easy to make. {aside: Damn don't I look good in that first picture. Taking a picture at the correct angle is the key! On second thought no. I'm as wide as the barrel. I guess that's where "big as a barrel comes from?"} Installing it might be much harder. It has to be raised (so gravity helps empty it into your bucket), and the rain spout drains into it. 

I plan to use it at the garage. It's in the alley. The entrance to my garage is a small hill. They said to use cinder blocks but that won't work at my garage. It won't be level. I have to figure out how to make a box with the correct angles, and cut off the rain spout. Then fill it with stones, or broken flower pots or something. My other worry is that the angelic teens in the neighborhood might want to play tip the rain barrel one night when bored.

They told us since it's food grade plastic, nothing will stick to it, so don't think about painting it. They tried, it doesn't work. I know Sharpies work. That's how I marked the holes. If nothing else I'll decorate it with Sharpies!

On the way home we looked for more of the urban art. The one above is made from bikes which will be donated to the community center when the show is over. Again, this lights up a night. So it's probably a little more interesting then. We couldn't find 2 others. That leaves just the steps to go. We'll do that one day at lunch time. But not next week. Supposed to be humid and 100 degrees.

Our final stop was a Koehler's for corn. It's a beef farm. They raise corn to feed the cows. So they sell corn and a few other things. Of course they sell beef. (It's frozen). I like the idea of seeing a field of cows knowing that one of them might be for dinner. I get to ask the farmer all kinds of questions to. Can't do that with agri biz. Bonnie and I have talked about getting a half or quarter animal and splitting it. We never do it. It's probably a good thing. I don't cook beef very well. My sister is worse.

While I was there I took a picture of the new crop of calves. The white one is adorable. I think they liked me. They were mooing away.  Maybe the knew they wouldn't be dinner.