road trip—philadelphia

It was 9 degree when I entered the car yesterday. What the heck had I gotten myself into?

For a Christmas gift I bought Bonnie a road trip to Philly. We were combining three things into one spectacular day. It was supposed to be Tuesday, but with the snow we pushed it to Thursday. Not because we were afraid of driving or walking in a little snow. Rather we were afraid of spending the day on the turnpike or worse, the Schuykill, behind the 15-car accident that was sure to happen.

I picked Bonnie up at 8 and we ultimately left about 8:15. We arrived at the Schuykill at 9:24. It was nearly 10:30 when we arrived at 4th and Arch. Part of that was my fault. The turn fro the Ben Franklin and the turn for Arch street were next to each other. I picked Jersey. It cost $5 to come back!

Firs stop, the Wyndown Hotel at 4th and Arch to sign in for the Philadelphia West walk. (There are  four Philly walks.) By then it was a balmy 18 degrees. In hindsight it was probably dumb to do a Volkssport walk in 18 degree weather. We read nothing. We looked at little. We just kept moving. I picked this walk because it went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We were going down the street to the Museum of Natural Sciences to see the "Chocolate" exhibit.

It was nice. But much smaller than I anticipated. The dinos were cool — Bubba would love them, and the butterflies were beautiful. The best part was when we were on the 3rd floor. There was a school group being read the riot act by the teacher. (He must have been a former Marine. If I was in that group I would have wet myself.) Let's just say he was not a happy camper. "In 15 years of chaperoning students I haven't never had a group as bad as this one." Thank goodness we were not around to see what they did. They were so bad he was placing many of them on a "no field trips" list. Including an upcoming one ice skating. They were 6th, 7th grade.  Glad there are still teachers who discipline students.

Because chocolate was the theme, and it was freaking cold, we skipped the part of the walk that went to the art museum — it looped back — and headed down 19th to Walnut. There we went to 15th to look for the restaurant — Max Benner's Chocolate Bar. Yes. A chocolate restaurant. We only had the best hot chocolate. Ever. I bet the deserts are to die for. If you go, it's really on 15th, not Walnut, and it is not a cheap place to eat.

At some point we discovered we lost our Volkssport directions. But I remembered it having us go out Walnut, up 6th, around Independence Hall and back to the hotel.  Since the north-south streets were really windy and cold, we did a two east, one north, pattern to break it up. And ended up going to far north.

Can we talk parking in Philadelphia? It's crazy expensive. The hotel lot was $12 for the first hour and $10 thereafter to a $32 max. We saw some higher. One or two lower during our walk. But that seemed to be the average price. Add to that a twenty percent—20%—parking tax. I spent almost as much for parking as I did for a fancy lunch. My parking lot total was $42. American. To make matters worse, we paid for parking and when I inserted my paid card in the machine, it wanted to recharge me. That would have been crazy.

It was 21 degrees when we got in the car to go home.

All in all it was a great day. My camera is broken, so no pixs from me. Bonnie took a few with her iPhone. When I get them, I'll post them. It was just too cold to take gloves off to take pictures.

day 17 of 18 new year's eve

Day 14/18 was a Sunday. Why didn't I do significant walking? Don't remember but I didn't.

Day 15/18 work day. At lunch I ran errands and didn't walk. Another disappointment.

Day 16/18 work day. Brought lunch. Nothing happening at work—everyone was off. Phones didn't ring. Emails didn't ping. Went to the movies after work to see Into The Woods. Broadway musicals on film are not what they used to be. Another day of not walking.

Pathetic, isn't it. That's five of the 18 days I didn't walk, with three in a row. Clearly, I failed at this challenge.

New Year's Eve was Day 17. Bonnie and I went to the Allentown Comfort Suites and did the end of the year volkssport paperwork and change the stamp to 2015. Then we headed off to Trexler Park to walk. We did the General Trexler loop, the longer one, and then did the extension loop that goes out to Tilghman and Cedar Crest Blvd. So basically it was a figure 8. I'm not sure what the mileage was.

Then in the afternoon I took Eryn's kids to The DaVinci Center. All three of them. At once. They appeared to have a great time. Actually it went really, really well until the last 15 minutes when I told the 6-year-old Bubba that it was time to go. He didn't want to go and had a major meltdown. The kind where when you see it happening to other people you judge them as horrible parents. The big kids said he does it all the time. Often he's successful. I never thought when we were going over the rules in the car, that when Aunt Gayle says it's time to go, we go would be one of them. Next time it will be.

The girl-child had my camera and took about 150 pictures. We were on the second floor when a voices goes "Aunt Gayle, the camera stopped working." No, the battery was not "exhausted". It goes on, the screen is dark, but you cannot push any buttons. Guess I'll be using my iPod to take pixs.  It will finally get used after three years. One of my challenges for 2015 is not buying anything but necessities. (Real food, laundry soap, ect. Clothes, shoes, cameras, snacks or other non-nutritional food are not a necessity.)

With a major grocery shopping spree, the day only yielded about 12K steps.

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.

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.

the marvelous murals of allentown

Today a Senior Girl Scout in the Heritage Patrol was doing a walking tour of the murals in downtown Allentown. My niece is a member of the patrol and volunteered to help.

Originally today was supposed to be raining. Driving rain. Rain of Biblical proportions. The type that gets a weather person so excited. it went north or south or to Timbuktu. Who knows. It's humid, but gorgeous. I called the girl and talked to the mom, what happens if it rains? She told me the plan B, and also mentioned that a minimum of 10 people needed to attend to make it count. I emailed all the people that usually walk with me and we changed course and did The Marvelous Murals of Allentown walk. We were not disappointed.

Attending: Bonnie, Megs, the wee one, Lydia, her friend Joleen, Angel, Darrell, and Bug. Yes, I brought 8 of the 10 people needed to reach the minimum.

 Plaza for the Spirit of the Arts, 2006; lead muralist Michael Webb

 Love Educates, 2006, 4th and Gordon; lead muralist Russell J Buckingham

Weaving the Fabric of Tomorrow, 2012, Gordon and North Jordan; lead muralist Matt Halm. Assistant muralist Alwing Lopez-Lewis. (Megan knows him. Not surprised he grew up to be an artist.)

 Alliance Park Mural, Chew and Law Streets

Bridging Communities, Embracing Change, 2004, 7th and Chew sts; lead Muralist Michelle A Ortiz. Assistant muralist Matt Heim.

 Sam's Mural, 2012, west Turner Street; lead muralist Rigo Peralta

 Preserving the Past to Brighten the Future, 2010, 10th and Turner

Rebirth, 2012, front wall. All three located on the same building between Turner between 9th and 10th. Lead muralist for all, Matt Heim

 Togetherness, 2012, side wall

 Youth, 2012, rear wall

 Better Days, 2013, 113 9th street, side wall of tattoo shop. Lead muralist Alwing Lopez-Lewis

All totaled it was a 5K. A slow 5K, but nevertheless 3.25 miles.  If you had the time, and it was open, then I'd also go to the post office at 5th and Hamilton. Eleven murals, all painted by Grifford Reynolds Beal as part of the New Deal. Murals on the walls, Mercer tiles on the floors.

Right before we returned four more walkers came.  I don't know how many came after I left, but you should go. It's terrific.

Before we left, the girls had a group hug.

[Since I do the Volkssport directions I have suggestions: Cross chew at 10th, not at Poplar. Give instructions to get back and to avoid construction. Make sure the girls talk to the group, not the wall. finally, and this might not be possible, try to always keep in mind a bathroom stop. Lydia was in dire straights. She finally went into a beauty salon and they left her go.]

The event started at the Art Park in Allentown. Right across the street from the Allentown Art Museum.  AAM is free all summer! (The art museum is usually only free Sundays.) Since my niece didn't need to be at her aunts as early as we first thought, we decided to take advantage of free art museum. Little did I know that the child had never been to an art museum. How is this possible? "I didn't know paintings came that large". "Wow". "Awesome". Need I say more? I promised to take her to Philly or the Met. We may never come out.

lock ridge park

Today, Bonnie, Megan, the wee one, and I headed to Alburtis and Lock Ridge Park.  We chose it because we thought it was all was paved. It's mostly paved.

Lydia was sick—she's got Bonnie's 5-pack-a-day cough—so she didn't come. Rumor has it that she spent the day reading. Jealous.

When we arrived we parked and a dog started barking at us. We said out loud "would leave their dog in the car on a day like today?"  I said, maybe they went to the latrine. Five minutes is fine. Then a girl came over and said "he's mine". Turned out they were doing a photo shoot of shelter animals, and he doesn't play well with others so he had to stay in the car.

She was no more than 20 feet away, so he was okay. (Now. He was a pit/bull mix. Abused. Megan noticed the scar on his back. It was ugly. The rescue-girl said that was 100% better. I can't imagine what condition he was in when he arrived."

A loop—with several paths— at Lock Ridge is about a mile and a half, so we walked around twice. But we didn't take the same paths so we were a little closer to 2.5 miles in an hour. The one by the railroad was flooded and we couldn't tell how deep it was. Probably fairly deep. It extended into well onto the grass. So we didn't complete it. We turned around an came back.

There was one much longer path, but that one was not paved. Megan didn't want to jostle the baby around on stones.

I usually only come to this park for the 5K in August. To get to the park we drove to the start point, then followed the 5K route. A lot out-of-the-way but it worked. During a 5K there is no time to look at anything or take pictures. Today, I looked at everything and took pictures. I found two staircases and took them both. The others continued on. That's fine, I'm a big girl. But then I came to a fork in the road and yelled "Which way did you go?" They yelled "left" and I went left and caught up with them. The museum was not open until one, so neither were the bathrooms.

What is this place you might ask? From the Lehigh County website: "What looks like a stone castle was a coal burning iron furnace. The beauty of the furnace and surrounding structures belie their industrial roots."

When you live in the Lehigh Valley you can't escape iron. Or limestone. And by extension cement.

volkssport bus trip to lackawaxen

Saturday Lydia, Bonnie and I took a bus trip to Lackawaxen. Exciting, I know. But they rarely offer walks in that area, and we needed Pike county! It was also a destination for the new Border Crossing special program.

The bus picked us up at the Quakertown Park and Ride. It was great not having to drive to Philly. We wouldn't have gone if we did.

We arrived at Zane Gray's house about 10:15. All the paper work was covered on the bus. We picked up our instruction and started walking. It was an odd route. Pretty much out and back, with variations. First we headed to the highway and crossed the Lackawaxen river. Then turned around and came back. We went past Zane Grays house, and headed toward the Roebling's Aqueduct. For those who went to public school like me, and never learned this stuff, my computer dictionary says it is a "a bridge that is constructed to convey water over an obstacle, such as a ravine or valley."

Crossing the Aqueduct we entered New York. We stopped to take this lovely picture. I look really thin in it. Note to self, stand in the way back! Bonnie and Lydia teased me all day about my hat. I really don't think it looks that bad.

In New York, we went under the bridge and out the D&H canal towpath. (Delaware and Hudson).  We turned around and came back and then back over the aqueduct. and back to Zane Grays house. Then we went into the house and did the little tour. Lots of books. Dick would have loved it. He loved Zane Grey novels. We walked about a 6K.

Then we went for a buffet lunch at the Laxawaxen Inn. It was horrible. Poorly organized, and perfect for 1965—tons of carbs covered with cheese and dressing, and meats, covered with calorie laden sauces. Not a single vegetable. Not a green thing anywhere. The plate were at least 12 inches if not larger. And they were piled high. I ended up eating two meatballs and some baked ziti. And the fruit from the ham. Then I went and got ham. The food sat in my gut all day. My body was saying WTF?

We went outside to wait and met this huge fella. If the almighty google is correct, he is a Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia). His wingspan is up to 6 inches! His life is two weeks. After mating, he dies withing three days. (There's a going out with a bang joke in there somewhere.) this guy wasn't moving much. I think he had his fun and his number was up.

Then it was back on the bus and off to Milton. The museum where we parked (They have Lincoln's blood soaked flag. Why is that not at the Smithsonian?) was having a special Boy Scout program and wasn't open. So we headed to Grey Towers. The last time I was there I was in a car. It's a three mile walk from where we parked to the top of the hill. And there was no time for a tour. We walked the ground and then headed back down. Through a bit more of Milton and back on the bus to come home.

It was 9:30 when I arrived home. And I had to start my online classes. I finished about 12:30, and got up this morning for a 5K.

doylestown volkssport walk

Today Bonnie and I did the Doylestown Volkssport walk. We arrived at the Bucks County Y about 15 minutes late. Google maps failed me. It said to take 202 and then get off State Street. But the highways have been refigured and State Street has it's own exit. If we would have taken State Street, we would have been 5 minutes early!

We checked in and headed out on the 10K. There are several areas on this route that just go around a block—right, right, right or left, left, left—we skipped those and took about 1K off the route. Those ring-a-round the blocks were for several special programs.

(For the special programs you need to pass Masonic Lodges, flags, movie theatres, whatever Some Volkssporters love them. We've never really gotten into them. We do three—Pa. counties, 50 states, and cities A-Z. None have a end date. We recently also picked up Border Crossings for when a walk goes from one state to the next. There's one in Philly/Trenton, there's also one in Kentucky on the new pedestrian bridge. We're doing the Pa./NY one next weekend. We have 10 years to do 15. We just might make it.)

Bonnie has never been to most of the places we passed today—the Michner Museum, Fonthill or the Tileworks. One day we will need to go back and tour them.

Tomorrow Lydia and I are doing the Canal Path from Allentown toward Bethlehem.

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.

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....

center city allentown

Today I picked up Bonnie and we headed to downtown Allentown. It's been awhile since we've done that walk.

We parked at the Parkettes, and followed the walking trail along the Little Lehigh River, on MLK Blvd. At about 9th Street, we went up the WPA steps. This time we took the branch toward the Alburtis Meyers Bridge. (Happy Birthday A.M. Bridge! You look every bit your 100 years.) The steps are still in need of some love. Whole stairs are missing, and chunks are missing form others. The WPA did a fine job 70  years ago, but maintenance is sorely needed. Sadly, it probably will not happen. Ultimately, they will crumble, and closed. Penny wise and dollar foolish. Sadly, Allentown is not the only one practicing this philosophy.

I digress.

He went up 9th to Hamilton to check out the PPL Center Hockey Arena progress. They've made a lot. I saw this sign and had to walk against the fence. Call me a rebel. (I wouldn't have done that during the week with traffic!)

This is the Arena from the square. I'm guessing this is the front entrance, with the lovely curved facade. They are restoring the Dime Savings Bank on the right. They actually had to re-lay the bricks, one by one. Across the square, where the 1st National Bank was, a new, huge building is going up. Lots of changes in A'town.

When we reached 5th, we checked out the new courthouse (nice) and the addition to the art museum (still free Sundays, but doesn't open till noon. Boo.) Then headed down Linden to the waterfront. There we checked out America On Wheels museum. Bonnie's daughter and pseudo son-in-law are coming at Christmas, and he's a bit of a gear head. The perfect place to entertain him!

The it was under the Hamilton Street Bridge, past the orange car, and back to the car.

When I returned home, we went to Coca Cola Park for drive-by flu shots. Fun, healthy and free. My kind of event.