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.

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.)

rail to trails opening day!

Of course rail trails are open all year, but they are not used very hard in the winter. Unless you're nuts, like us. Today was the official spring kickoff for 2014. The Rail to Trail Conservancy encourages us to use this hashtag: #RTCOpeningDay. Not quite sure what it does, but there you go.

Earlier in the week I sent out an email with our walks for the weekend. There are now six people on the email list. Lydia, Bonnie and I walked.

Today we headed to the Saucon Rail Trail. We parked at the Water Street Park in Hellertown and headed east toward Coopersburg. We didn't go that far. Actually, we only went a mile and a half, then turned around and headed back. We also did the loop around the lake at the Grist Mill, and took the scenic route past the Heller Homestead.


Our total was about 3.5 miles. It started to drizzle on the way back. A few minutes later it was pouring! Our timing was nothing, if not impeccable.

Wednesday Is National Walking Day. I thought it was Tuesday. Clearly I need to read a calendar. Since that is my 15 hour day, I'll have to go out on College Hill at lunch time.

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I never mentioned that back on January 29 I received my 2K badge on FitBit.

hellertown adventure

Just got back from our adventure in Hellertown. Who knew the rail trail could be an adventure?

We parked at the Water Street trailhead and decided to walk to toward Bethlehem. Eventually that will connect with the Greenway. But now it doesn't. It only goes about a half mile. However, running next to the rail trail is another trail that goes into the woods. We turned at the end of the rail trail and walked back to the entrance to the woods and followed that.

It began wide, got narrower, and narrower, and soon it was not much more than a deer path that followed the Saucon Creek. It came out on a road with a closed bridge. We crossed the bridge (it was double barricaded!) and looked for a trail going back, but there was none.  We recrossed the bridge, and headed back toward the park. It was then we noticed the trail split, so we took the road less taken and that ultimately looped around and back to the original trail.

It was little like playing hide and seek. It took over an hour and we were just shy of 3 miles.

the week so far ...

I'm sitting here at 7:40 waiting for Bonnie to arrive. We're headed to Hellertown to walk on the rail trail after her bloodwork.  Fall is still three days away and it's only 54 degrees. It's going to be a long, cold winter.

Last night Lydia and I did Michelle's walking clinic. This time we met in West Side Park for hills. We met at 11th and Spring, warmed up and headed to 13th and Lehigh. Then we did intervals on the long, steep hill up to Holy Family Manor. Basically, we walked up a little, and then down. Walked up more, and down. Repeat to the top. Then walked all the way down and all the way up. In theory I will have great thighs and tush if I continue this. I'm not so sure.  Then we walked back up the hill, over to 11th, and down to the cars, cooled off and went home.

During the day I walked to campus three times. I didn't look, but I hope to have reached my 10,000 steps yesterday. It felt like I did.

Tuesday Bonnie and I walked the south Bethlehem 5K Volkssport walk. We made some notes along the way. I need to write up exact directions, and then have someone who doesn't know the route try them. Much like Bonnie and I did on the Allentown park walk. I think I'll ask Lyd and her friend Dawn. I also need to do that for the 10K version. I'm thinking of asking my friend Betsy to test that one.

Monday I didn't walk very much. I walk maybe a half hour at lunch time. It was a wild and crazy day at work.

saucon valley rail trail

Lydia sitting on a throne made from a tree stump.

Today Lydia and I did 10.5 miles on the Saucon Valley Rail Trail. Basically we walked from Hellertown to Southern Lehigh and back.

I've never walked the whole thing. Some things I noticed. When you change towns, the stripe color on the posts changes. Full mile posts are tall. Half mile on a little shorter. And quarter miles posts are short.

New things—the Hellertown section now has interpretive signs to read. The Lower Saucon section had a small lot and a port-o-potty. Now it has a large lot, picnic tables, and two port-o-potties. The Upper Saucon section has dog poop bags, recycle bins and trash cans. Overall, great improvements. There are also benches now along of of the trail.

 Railroad spikes and other debris, as yard art, on the trail.

Lydia did well the first half. Then the cramps kicked in. Then some odd hip pain. I knew she was in trouble. She only spoke when spoken too. That's not her. We got to the lot and I said, "if I knew where this was I'd pick you up". It turns out it was off Bingen Road.

Then I said "When we get to Meadow Road, you can wait and I'll walk back and get the car".

"At Meadow Road, we'll only be a mile away from the car. I'm not giving up". Secretly I was doing a happy dance. The old Lydia would not have said that. Not only did she not give up, but she went to the farmers market with me afterwards.

We always find butterflies on these walks. Lydia says they are her mom watching out for her. I guess there are a lot worse things to be reincarnated as.

Also a fawn near Meadow Road.

Thursday we leave for Erie. The half is on Saturday. Normal length walks resume after the half.

cold and wet

We were supposed to have freezing rain last night, but instead we got plain rain. (Hurray. Love snow. Hate freezing rain.) We had planned to walk in Hellertown because Bonnie's new car needed it's 1000 mile checkup.

Lyd calls early and asks if we're going. I thought probably not, because Bonnie doesn't go any time the weather is iffy. We decided no. The mist would ultimately turn to rain, and we'd be soaked.

Ten minutes later, Bonnie calls, we're still going. In the rain. I decided not to call Lyd back. No use the three of us getting sick.

We dropped the car off and they said it would be a hour. We headed up Main Street, and found a cupcake shop that also makes crepes. Bonnie went in to ask the gluten question. No for cupcakes. Yes for crepes. Crepes. Yum.

We continued on, and near the old high school picked up the Saucon rail trail. Then took the rail trail to Water Park. Headed up Water Street and crossed Main to Laubach Park. Where the fountain was on and frozen. Bonnie took a pix with her phone. Then back down Main for a stop at Saylors meats. Where we bought smoked till they were rock hard bacon strips for Adonis. Almost bought him the smoked pigs ears.

Then finally back to the car dealer. An hour, on the nose.

When we dropped it off, Bonnie asked them to check a tire. It wasn't holding pressure. When we arrived, he said everything was done but the tire, they were checking that now. Somewhere she picked up a nail. Forty-five minutes later it was finished.

It's now past four. I have not done any work. I falling further behind. Adonis has arrived and loved his treat. However, we've gone for a walk and twice to the yard. He'll need another walk before dark. He's antsy today. I also had to go to school and burn a disk. And balance Sharon's checkbook. Some days, I am just running backwards. Looks like today is one of those days.

exploring historic hellertown

Bonnie was still recovering from our 5K yesterday so she decided not to come walking. So Lydia and I decided to go to the Saucon Rail Trail. I was there a few weeks ago, and found a nature trail, but didn't have time to explore it.

We parked at the Water Street Park, and got a great space for the Farmer's Market. Then crossed the street to the Heller Homestead. After Lyd took a couple pixs of the homestead we explored. We followed one path into a park, then into a subdivision. It looked like it might be a dead end. But then, across the field we saw a sign for the nature trail. We crossed the field, found the trail, and headed  into the woods, along side Saucon Creek.

We resurfaced at the Homestead. Then went back to the road and  the park where we picked up the Saucon Rail Trail.

The first intersection, at about 1/2 mile,  is the Grist Mill and pony bridge. When I last saw the pony bridge it had no deck. They are done with the decking and it's quite nice. We crossed the street to look at the mill and saw the path that goes around the lake. We took the trail, and went around the pond. The picture above on the far side of the pond.

Lydia really like's these kind of tourist/explore/investigate walks much better than 5Ks. I think that's why she like Volkssport walking also. And I have to admit it's fun. Sure beats a stinky gym.

We headed back to the rail trail, continued to Meadows Road, turned around and came back to the Farmer's Market. Then we shopped. The olive oil we tasted from the family farm in Tunsia was fantastic, but I didn't buy any.

On the way home, we stopped at Giant, bought some bacon (and other items. I spent $35!) and had fresh tomato sandwiches for lunch. Of course, Adonis had his walk too.

Next week we have the Camper Scamper in Horsham. A bit far, but it's a cross country 5K. Can't wait. Race starts at 9 and it will take an hour to get there, so we'll have to leave at the butt-crack of dawn. It should be fun anyway. Hope Bonnie comes along, even if she isn't racing.

hellertown rail trail

Actually it's part of the Saucon rail trail, but this part is in Hellertown.

I parked at Water Street park, and noticed some signs for the Heller Homestead. Hmmm I thought. Always drive by, never stop. Maybe today.

When I arrived at the trail I noticed something had changed. The last time I walked it last fall it was large stones that hurt your feet and knees. Now it is a sandy gravel surface. Much nicer. However, I had on my Birks and the gravel kept getting in between my shoes and my feet! Ouch.

The Lower Saucon section is about 1.5 miles one-way. Then if you include the Upper Saucon section it's a total of about 5 miles one-way. When finished the Coopersburg section will be an additional mile and a half. When the Greenway connects it will be paradise.

I just did Lower Saucon.

At the first crossing I noticed old buildings. It was the Wagner Grist Mill. As I walked over I saw the little metal bridge. I went there first. It was the Walnut Street Pony Bridge from 1860. It's about the size of one house and straddles the creek. It's actually a little park with athletic fields and two algee covered ponds.

I returned to the trail and continued walking to the Upper Saucon section, turned around and came back. Then instead of going to the lot, I went to the Heller Homestead where I not only discovered cool buildings—2 house, a root cellar and barn ruins—but another two trails!

I'll have to explore those another day. The roomie called to find out what was taking me so long. She thinks I'm eight.

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Update— Mid-afternoon Lydia stopped by with the dog and wanted to walk. We took the dog for a half mile, brought him home, and then did another mile and a half. At the hottest part of a 95 degree day. Probably not smart.

saucon valley rail trail

 After my horrible and painful Thursday, I woke up Friday morning feeling not horrible. I guess time does heal. I even canceled my doctors appointment. I still can't bend correctly, and now my left thigh hurts near my butt. I'm just going to keep moving, and not do stupid things like pick up heavy boxes and nickles for a while.

Today we did the Saucon Valley Rail Trail. One day, the Saucon Valley Rail Trail and the South Bethlehem Greenway will meet. The Morning Call said "The new portions in Hellertown and Lower Saucon are both about 1.4 miles and connect to about 2 miles already opened in Upper Saucon Township. When other sections in Upper Saucon and Coopersburg are eventually opened, the 10-foot-wide multi-use trail will be 8 miles long."

Bonnie drove today. We parked at the Water Street Park and we headed toward Bethlehem doing the first set of intervals. During our warm up minutes, we saw some deer in the words next to us. You don't get that on a treadmill! We didn't go very far—the trail ended behind the salvage yard. We turned around and headed south. We walked until the intervals were done, and then to the next street. All in all we probably did three miles.

It's a nice trail, wide and tree-lined. There were bikers and walkers and families. But it was gravel and really hard on your feet. Maybe they aren't done with it yet.

Then at dinner time, I received a call from my programs nutritionist. She's much different thatn the one I saw last year.  She wants me to drink more. No, no Jack Daniels. Liquids like you would find in soups and stews. Those foods keep you fuller, longer. But of course I don't eat because I'm hungry. I just eat constantly. I'm doing better, but only because I have to keep a food journal. The minute that goes away, the grazing will return. I'm sure.

Yesterday I had a session with a walking coach as part of my program. She watched us walk, corrected posture and arm swings. It was a valuable session.

Friday I also walked with Betsy in South Whitehall. We walked, like we always do on Fridays, for about three miles at a brisk pace. Maybe not as brisk as usual because of my injury, but it was a good workout.