Saturday, June 25, 2011

Hiking Lehigh Gap

Today we hiked seven miles at Lehigh Gap starting at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. We had a little bit of elevation gain in the beginning, but then mostly flat trails.

Grassy fields looking toward the mountains

We had a few sprinkles that day, but mostly sunny skies with a few clouds.

Hiking group, photo taken by Morgan

Hiking group, photo taken by Elizabeth

Labels:

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Valley Forge National Park

Today we hiked ten miles in Valley Forge National Park. We took a big loop around the park, up and over Mount Joy and then Mount Misery, along a stream, past the encampments, through the Arch, and back to the Visitor Center. Valley Forge has enough hills for a good cardio workout, and it's a beautiful park with lots of trees, wooded areas, open fields, streams, and of course, history. It was a warm day, and when hiking up the hills and then later in the direct sun we really felt the heat! It was a great day to be outside enjoying late Spring. Later, we ate at an Indian buffet, quickly making up all those calories we burned during our hiking workout!

No visit to Valley Forge is complete without a trip to Trader Joe's, where I purchased Meyer Lemon Cookie Thins, Harvest Grain Blend of Israeli Style Couscous, and Happy Trekking Mix, which is happy because it contains chocolate!



Labels:

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Monocacy Nature Trail Bethlehem

Today we hiked the Monocacy Nature Trail from Illicks Mill along the creek to Burnside Plantation, through Historic Bethlehem to the Lehigh River, and then through some pretty neighborhoods in Bethlehem back to the Mill. Although today was cooler than earlier in the week, it was still a warm, muggy day. We made a refreshing stop for some ice cream in Bethlehem midway through the hike.

Walking along the Monocacy. There was lots of poison ivy on these trails. I took a long shower using Fels-Naptha when I got home, I will know tomorrow if that was enough of a preventative...

Some of the trail was along railroad tracks.

Along the Monocacy

Barn at Burnside Plantation

Home and gardens at Burnside Plantation

Free Hit Counters
Free Counter