Going The Distance ...

“Going the distance.”

   ~ complete a difficult task or endure an ordeal. Go the distance is a metaphor from boxing that means, when used of a boxer, “complete a fight without being knocked out.”

An artistic view of the new “Get Distant On The D&L” sign along the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail) against the backdrop of the Kittatinny Ridge under bright spring skies on an early April 2020 afternoon at Lehigh Gap.

Being able to enjoy the beauty of the D&L and other trails and parks – while still observing social distancing – is a true blessing to me and many others during the novel coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic. The fresh air, sunshine and watching the rebirth of life in spring blossoms and newborn birds and wildlife in God’s creation is a wonderful reminder that the United States and the rest of the world are “going the distance” to triumph over this insidious pandemic.

In the shadow of the Kittatinny Ridge, also called Blue Mountain, The Lehigh Gap in Slatington, Pennsylvania, is a crossroads where the Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s trails connect two historic trails – the Appalachian Trail and the D&L Trail.

The Appalachian Trail, a foot path, follows the ridge on both sides of the Lehigh Gap, running 1,245 miles south to Georgia and 930 miles north to Maine. Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.

This sign is one of a number of signs now found at different trailheads to caution trail users to practice social distancing in light of the COVID19 outbreak.

Underneath the top design featured in this image, the sign includes trail etiquette for times of social distancing, such as don’t recreate in groups – limit interactions with other trail users; be safe – our medical systems are at their limit, do our part to limit the need; don’ t touch public services like benches or water fountains unless necessary, and if you must, wash your hands/sanitize thoroughly before and after; avoid touching your face, eyes and nose; and cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a flexed elbow.

It also cautions to observe distance of 6 feet from persons at all times.

The sign encourages trail users to always share the trail and be friendly – a smile, wave or hello can go a long way. And that’s good advice for any day!

Fancy Meeting You Here ...

“Fancy meeting you here!”

   ~ an amiable greeting, often when one is surprised to see someone

A white-tailed deer doe and a man bicycling are surprised to be in each other’s paths on a beautiful late June evening along the Ironton Rail Trail, which loops more than nine miles through Whitehall Township, the Borough of Coplay and North Whitehall Township in Pennsylvania.

The Ironton Railroad was a shortline railroad in Lehigh County. Originally built in 1861 to haul iron ore and limestone to blast furnaces along the Lehigh River, traffic later shifted to carrying Portland Cement when local iron mining declined in the early 20^th century. Much of the railroad had already been abandoned when it became part of Conrail in 1976, and the last of its trackage was removed in 1984.

In 1996, Whitehall Township purchased 9.2 miles of the right-of-way from Conrail, transforming it into the Ironton Rail Trail.

Mountain Sugar ...

“Winter is in my head, but spring is in my heart.”

                       ~ Victor Hugo

                           ~ 1802-1885

There’s sugar on the mountain and sugar on the trail as snow beautifies the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail) that hugs the Kittatinny Ridge at Lehigh Gap on a January afternoon in this monochrome shot.

In the shadow of the Kittatinny Ridge, also called Blue Mountain, The Lehigh Gap in Slatington, Pennsylvania, is a crossroads where the Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s trails connect two historic trails – the Appalachian Trail and the D&L Trail.

The Appalachian Trail, a foot path, follows the ridge on both sides of the Lehigh Gap, running 1,245 miles south to Georgia and 930 miles north to Maine. Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.