Summer Evening At Bogert's Bridge ...

“Simplicity is the glory of expression.”

                          ~ Walt Whitman

                                     ~ 1819-1892

One of the sweet, simple joys of summer is savoring a beautiful July evening at the historic Bogert’s Covered Bridge in Lehigh Parkway, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Bogert’s Covered Bridge spans 145 feet over the Little Lehigh Creek.

Built in 1841, its history traces back to the mid-1700s when the Bogert family moved into a log cabin next to the future site of the bridge. It is the oldest covered bridge in Lehigh County and among the oldest in the country. It is open only to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as well as the occasional rider on horseback.

Bogert’s Covered Bridge is a wooden Burr Truss bridge with vertical plank siding and a gable roof. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Sunday Afternoon At The Grist Mill ...

“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.”

           ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

              ~ 1807-1882

It’s a postcard perfect summer Sunday afternoon at the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill, located just off the Saucon Rail Trail, Hellertown, Pennsylvania.

The Grist Mill dates back to the 18^th century and operated into the 1950s. The Borough of Hellertown took ownership in 1965, and nearly two decades later it was turned over to the Hellertown Historical Society. The Grist Mill is now an historical museum and a portion of it, the Tavern Room, may be rented for private functions.

The Wash House can be seen at right. It is the smallest stone structure overlooking the mill chase and ponds. Built in the 1700s, it most likely served as housing for early millers and their families, along with a portion of the Grist Mill. It is now referred to as The Wash House, because after the construction of the Miller’s House in the 1800’s, it was utilized to wash sacks for the grain and possibly as the family’s wash house.

The Grist Mill grounds also include The Miller’s House, home of the offices of the Hellertown Historical Society; and the 1860 Walnut Street Pony Bridge and a barn across the street.

Afternoon Of A Fawn ...

       “Art speaks only to the mind, 
      whereas nature speaks to all the faculties …”

                     ~ George Sand 

                       ~ pseudonym of

             Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin 

                 French novelist & memoirist

                              ~ 1804-1876

 I spotted the sweetest sight of summer – a beautiful white-tailed deer fawn – in the early afternoon of a beautiful July day along the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail)  near the East Penn Township Trailhead in Bowmanstown, Pennsylvania.

I was surprised to see this white-spotted cutie so early in the afternoon, with its mama doe close by.

Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.