Just had a book signing for 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia at Costco in King of Prussia. Where else can you can you purchase your summer reading, brushetta, and a year’s worth of cheese? Seriously, though, the store was clean, air-conditioned, and packed with customers. It was refreshing to meet so many people who were interested in learning more about hiking in their area. I didn’t think there would be so much enthusiasm among people who probably came there to stock up on paper towels, but Philly-burbians are getting out and about, and they ain’t just shopping!

I had some great tips for new trails to check out when I have some time. One man recommended Ricketts Glen: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/rickettsglen.aspx. This park is about 150 miles from Philly, but looks like it might be well worth the trip. Another customer said to check out the Berks County Heritage Center: http://www.countyofberks.com/parks/cwp/view.asp?a=1229&q=448129, which is only about 52 miles from Center City and has national landmarks such as the Gruber Wagon Works and the Wertz’s Covered Bridge (this looks like a hike for the next edition!). Angelica, my hostess at Cotsco, suggested the King and Queen Seat at Rocks State Park, a natural 190 foot rock outcrop, which was a ceremonial gathering place of the Susquehannock Indians: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/rocks.asp. This park is a little over 80 miles from center city — but looks like another must-see.

I can’t wait to try out these new places. Many thanks to Angelica and all the folks at King of Prussia Costco for making me feel so welcome and thanks to all the Costco customers, who not only had some great advice, but also bought the book. See you on the trails!

Sandra

Put one foot in front of the other in the face of adversity.

We are all of us in a quandary. Our finances have never been worse, we have interpersonal issues, the real estate market has tanked, and oil is gushing into our oceans by the second. Some people eat, drink, take drugs, or sleep to forget their state of affairs. Others feel so overwhelmed that they are paralyzed with fear.

If I believed in an evil one, it would be fear. Fear keeps us from living.

I recently published a story in the July/August issue of PhillyFit magazine called “A Walk in the Park.” I want Philly natives to get out there and appreciate the lush, hidden parks and preserves. Why? Because nature truly heals and inspires. Almost any problem that is causing you pain, can gain new perspective with a solitary walk without phones ringing, computer screens flashing, and televisions blaring more depressing news stories. We are pulled in so many directions that many people don’t feel they have the time for a leisurely walk through natural habitats. Since writing 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia I have learned the value of putting one foot in front of the other in the face of adversity.

On the publisher’s page to this PhillyFit issue, publisher, Jami Appenzeller, details her plan to take charge of her life, yet again. “Once you stop marching forward, life stops, loses meaning and then eventually fades to black,” she writes. Black is the absence of light. It’s giving up, and we have all been there. But like her article, “Forward March,” it’s time to pull our selves up by our bootstraps and face our fears, one step at a time.

I know it sounds over simplistic, but visit a park or natural environment today or tomorrow, even if you have to wake up a half hour earlier or come home a half hour later from work. You don’t have to scale the Neshaminy Palisades or march up Bowman’s Hill, you simply need to force yourself out of bed, lace up your shoes, and take a 20 to 30 minute walk in a quiet place, outdoors. Keep doing this, one day at a time. This will not pay your bills, sell your home, mend your relationships, or solve the energy crisis, but nature has a way of quieting the mind. Fresh air and sunshine enter our beings and flow through our veins to our brains allowing for new insights and gained productivity. More importantly, small steps help us gain momentum against fear.

And the opposite of fear is love. Love is when you care about something or someone so much that you are willing to put aside your own comfort and conveniences to put forth energy for the good of another. It gives of time, talent, treasure, and trust. It protects and is present, and it requires commitment. It feels just as good to give love as it does to receive it.

Before you can love someone else, you have to love yourself; yet another cliché, but oh so true. Everyone who loves deserves to be loved in return. No scientist will ever solve the complexities of love. It is blind faith, yet as Appenzeller states “it’s real and it matters.”

Love yourself today, and take this simple step: have a walk in the park — for you, for those you love, and all that you can be. We will get through this one step at a time.

There are over 20 Audubon chapters in Pennsylvania with over a handful in the Greater Philadelphia area. The National Audubon Society is an American nonprofit environmental organization. Its mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, with a focus on birds and other wildlife. The society seeks to preserve habitats for the benefit of humanity and biological diversity and was incorporated in 1905. Audubon Nature Centers provide scientific and educational programs and advocacy to promote positive conservation efforts and experiences.

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia features three “Audubon” hikes. One hike explores the grounds of Rancocas Nature Center, which border the Powatan Renape Indian Reservation inside Rancocas State Park. Another unique hike explores the original homestead of John James Audubon, in whose honor the Audubon Society was named. Audubon, a Franco-American ornithologist and naturalist, inspired generations of artists and conservationists with his studies and his artistic anthology, Birds of America. More than a few of the birds studied and recorded in this print collection have since been deemed extinct with Birds of America serving as a pictorial history of their existence. Few people realize that Audubon’s original American homestead lied within 30 miles of Center City Philadelphia.

I recently returned to another “Audubon” hike, on the grounds of Honey Hollow in Solebury Township. The preservation of this diverse tract of land by local farmers in the late 1930s attracted national attention and served as one of the first examples of successful water, soil and wildlife conservation in the United States. With the sprawl of the 1970s and 1980s in the greater Philadelphia area, this park most certainly would have been gobbled up by developers were it not for the unsung heroes of conservation. 

As we put the finishing touches on the page proofs of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia I cannot help but think of the thousands of individuals whose inspiration and efforts made these places possible. The Audubon Society, albeit the oldest such nonprofit in the United States, is certainly not the only conservation group who had the foresight and the guts to stand up to big business that is often blinded by short-term greed. Powatan Renape Chief Roy Crazy Horse says it best in “A Message To Our Doubly-Arrogant Generation,”(www.powhatan.org/ageneration.html):

Ours is the arrogant generation, which has taken upon ourselves to use an eternity’s resources for our own benefit.

  . . . We do not consider the birds and animals, the plants and forests, when we seek “progress and “development.” We do not honor our Mother Earth and her gifts. We do not respect other peoples in other places. We act as if the Creation exists solely for our own benefit. Corporate profit triumphs. Exploitation becomes virtue.

  . . . We still hold the keys to the future: our Original Instructions as human beings. It is not too late for all those who came here from elsewhere to adopt a new way of life, which is the oldest way of life on this land. It is not too late to seek balance, to sustain a future, to establish in our time a new economic order, which puts people, not profits, first.”

Spring flower at Clark Nature Center

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia features over 25 hikes under 3 miles. Mini-hikes help keep the momentum going when time constraints prevent a longer day-long hike, and most of them can be done in less than an hour or two.

You can formulate a mini-hike at almost any park, but some parks are better suited for these less-lengthy jaunts. The Clark Nature Center is one of those hidden parks, and although it lies close to a densely populated residential area, it still offers a small slice of serenity.

Access the driveway to the Nature Center off Durham Road in Newtown Township. The park’s one and only Wilderness Trail takes you in a loop that parallels a small stream on one side. Red-winged blackbirds flit from elm to oak, while bunnies and chipmunks scamper through the bushes, which in July come alive with splashes of wild, red raspberries ready to be plucked and savored.

But my favorite spot at the Clark Nature Center can be accessed from paths that shoot off from the Wilderness Trail toward the center of the park, where wooden benches lie in church-like formation for hikers to sit and clear the noise from their heads, offer up a small prayer, or simply stop and just listen.

But you don’t need a line of benches to put life’s problems in perspective; all you need is a patch of forest, and you have an outdoor chapel replete with dappled sunlight and soft cool breezes. So pack that picnic and visit some of the many mini-hikes available to you in the greater Philadelphia area. Some of these include: The Churchville Nature Center, Graeme Park, Point Pleasant Community Park, Lorimer Park, Binky Lee Preserve, and the Institute Woods. For a more comprehensive list, the book is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and most other major booksellers.

Until next time—Take Care,

Sandra

Pack your camera in its case within a Zip-Lock bag

We can’t change things we’ve said and done in the past, we can’t change how other people think and feel, and we sure can’t change the rains that still plague us at night here in the Philly area. There have been so many thunderstorms since mid March that I finally went out and bought a new pair of waterproof hiking boots. (Eastern Mountain Sports is running a promo where you can get 20% off a single item in their store.) Now that most of my hiking gear has been weatherproofed, I’m utterly convinced that the rest of the summer will be bone dry, but just in case I am wrong, here are a few pointers:

1. Paved and gravel trails prove the safest bet after a storm. I’ve already mentioned Pennypack Trust and Tyler for paved trails. Some other places in the greater Philly area with paved trails include: Bowman’s Wildflower Preserve, Core Creek Park, Honey Hollow, Lenape Park, Peace Valley, Longwood Gardens, Ridley Creek State Park, Central Perkioman Valley Park, Valley Forge, the Wissahickon Gorge, Washington Crossing State Park, Mercer County Park, and Carousel Park.
2. Garbage bags and Zip-Lock bags are lightweight and can easily be stored in your backpack. I keep my water bottle in a Zip-Lock anyway to avoid leakage, but they can also be used to protect food, matches, and maps. A garbage bag can easily be used protect your backpack in case of a storm.
3. Check the hour-by-hour forecast on weather.com for the park that you plan to visit. This will give you an idea of the best time to hit the trails.
4. Some people store gaiters, rain pants, compact rain ponchos, and an extra pair of socks in their packs for long hikes. If you know there will be rain and you are still planning a long jaunt, this would be wise. I always keep a compact umbrella handy. Shorts are way better than jeans and long pants during a spring or summer rainstorm.
5. Most backpacks have side pouches where you can store your food and compass so you don’t need to expose the rest of your gear while having a snack or checking your direction.
6. Although the trees may still be soaked and the trails muddy, some of my best photographs were taken after violent rainstorms. So take that camera, but keep it in its case inside a Zip-lock bag.
7. If there is lightning, don’t hang out under tall trees, towers, or power lines. Stay away from water sources, and rid yourself of metal objects. Don’t use your iPod or MP3 player. Try to reach an indoor area or your vehicle as soon as possible; don’t wait until the storm is overhead to start heading for safety. If you cannot make it to a shelter in time, then find an open space and squat low to the ground with your feet together.  Do not lie flat on the ground.
8. If there is no lightning, in the summer months, when temperature is not so much an issue, simply let yourself get wet; you won’t melt. Get caught in the rain with your hiking partner (less people on the trails), and after the hike, go out for some pina coladas (but, of course, don’t drink and drive).

RAIN

By Shel Silverstein

I opened my eyes

And looked up at the rain,

And it dripped in my head

And flowed into my brain,

And all that I hear as I lie in my bed

Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,

I walk very slow,

I can’t do a handstand—

I might overflow,

So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said—

I’m just not the same since there’s rain in my head.

Stay dry!

Sandra

Tyler contains many clearly marked trails and offers beautiful views; The Schofield Ford Covered Bridge

Before I started using a GPS compass, I was lost all the time. Sometimes it was fun getting lost, challenging myself to solve the mystery and find my way back to the trailhead as I noted landmarks along the way. One of my favorite parks is Tyler State Park. No doubt, the 10.5 miles of paved trails and 4 miles of gravel hiking trails along the park’s 1,711 acres provide the perfect hike after the rains, which just don’t seem to end these days. Tyler contains well-marked trails with kiosks and take-along maps at most of the park entrances. There are several picnic areas equipped with tables, drinking water, and restrooms. Some of the quaint homes and structures within the park date back to the 1700s, and the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, within the park, is the longest covered bridge among The Bridges of Bucks County. It spans 170 feet across the width of the Neshaminy, standing tall on its original stone abutments. I’ve always wanted to rent a canoe at the park’s boathouse and cruise quietly down the Neshaminy Creek exploring the wildlife. This park has so much to offer that 60 Hikes, 60 Miles from Philadelphia features two hikes within the park: one that begins at the park’s main entrance to the east, and the other further north, which begins near the covered bridge. So if you are tired of solving mysteries of where the trails may lead, or just need yet another paved trail to avoid the muck and the mud, Tyler State Park is the perfect hike for you. After all, with all the dark clouds looming overhead lately, who wants to feel lost and confused?  Here’s the link to the park’s website: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/tyler.aspx

The bridge spans the width of the Neshaminy Creek.

Keep on moving forward; just imagine how much more we will appreciate the sun when it finally arrives.

Sandra

Scene along the Creek Road Trail at Pennypack

Who doesn’t have Seasonal Affective Disorder these days? Record-breaking rains are turning me into a very dull girl. I escaped to the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust on Friday, shirking all other responsibilities to enjoy brief glimpses of sun. Paved trails are welcome these days. The first part of this hike is paved, and although I usually prefer to explore other less-traveled trails, even the paved trail of Pennypack Trust has little traffic on a weekday, and after a heavy rain, the creek gushes with a music of flowing water that can melt away any disappointment or stress. A baby bunny hopped so close to me that I could almost scoop her up. Butterflies weaved in and out of wildflowers along the banks, and the nearby, restored meadows guaranteed a variety of bird species. Boulders jut out from the creek, and on the other side of the trail, the forest gradually gives way to sparse Bryn Athyn residential areas with homes of stone and stucco. The Creek Road Trail eventually takes a sharp left with paths of dirt and gravel. The first part of the hike was merely a tease, so I braved the mud, not wanting the hike to end. A displaced painted turtle made his slow trek back to the creek from a pine grove, looking indignant as I stared at his black and yellow markings. The Creek Trail eventually ends, so I turned around and repeated my walk in the opposite direction, this time stopping at the wildlife blind, which was a little flooded. I still wasn’t satisfied when I returned to my car on Creek Road, so I continued up the Raytharn Trail spotted with Indian grasses, to the top of a hill, where the spires from a nearby cathedral tower above the trees on one side, and on the other side, multi-toned horses graze in the meadow below. I realized at the top of the hill that occasionally my jaunts suffer from poor planning. I could have begun at the Raytharn Trail and taken it to the Paper Mill Trail, then picked up the Creek Road Trail. Perhaps I will try that next time, or maybe not. I am sometimes fickle, and suffer for it, but God willing, there will be other hikes with many different paths to choose from, and for this, despite April rains in June, I am thankful. If you sometimes suffer from poor planning like me and want to explore the Pennypack Trust, you can find a map at: http://www.pennypacktrust.org/docs/Main_Trails_map.pdf

I welcome your ideas and comments. 

Sandra

Fearless

Crystal Kear is my West Highland Terrier. She stands about a half a foot, has silky white fur, a Snoopy nose, and big button eyes. She’s fearless. She could stare down a bear, although despite recent sightings in Bucks County, PA, she’s never had the opportunity. She loves to chase after the White-tailed Deer that leap through the forest—so far, no venison for Crystal. But like all of us, Crystal has her nemesis. There is one animal that completely freaks her out—the turtle. She’s just not sure what to make of this camouflaging, rock-like figure. When Crystal sees a turtle on the trail, she walks the other way. I tell her that a box turtle won’t hurt her, but she just stands there and holds up the hike. The snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), now that is another story. They have a flatter shell in which they cannot retract. Tease one of these reptiles and you could be looking at a lost finger. Should you have the misfortune of being bitten, the snapping turtle may latch on. Your best defense, in this case, is to hold him under water until he relents. Fortunately, I’ve never experienced this mishap, as the snapping turtle will generally mind its own business if not provoked. Should you see one on the trail, walk widely around him. Crystal, however, will need to be carried in order to continue.

Another animal we’ve seen lately is the Red-tailed hawk. Its high-pitched scream as it soars over the fields, searching for prey, always calls me to attention, and I have to stop and watch it whirl while the sun lights up its auburn tail. Female hawks are approximately 25% larger than their male counterparts and are monogamous. Males chase their mates in courtship, diving and climbing in circles until she relents and takes his talons in hers, sending them spinning as they lose themselves for a brief moment. There are numerous places to spot the Red-tailed hawk in the greater Philadelphia area, since they are drawn to the agricultural fields spotted with rodents. Some hikes for hawk watchers would include: Honey Hollow, Tyler State Park, The Daniel Boone Homestead, the Stroud Preserve, Ridley Creek State Park, Fort Washington, the Readington River Buffalo Farm, the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed, and the White Clay Creek State Forest. Happy hawk watching!

 Sandra

The Eight Arch Bridge over the Neshaminy Creek at Dark Hollow

Production is almost complete on 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Philadelphia and just in time for what I think will be the most spectacular hiking season yet! The difficult rains of March have given way to milder months, with flowers and trees bursting forth. Spring in the Greater Philadelphia area is like no other: It starts a little earlier than the New England states, but still provides that sense of renewal that comes from making it through the dark and chilly winter. Winter hikes have brought their solitude and deep contemplation with icy brooks and effervescent pines, but nothing recharges my batteries like spring and early summer, especially this year, with the manuscript finally complete. I visited Dark Hollow this week in Warwick, PA, which is aptly named, since it cuts through commercial and residential areas like a hidden secret. My favorite part of this hike is scaling the Neshaminy Palisades. Once you reach the top you are rewarded with a view of hawks swooping and soaring above lush agricultural fields on one side, and on the other side, rocky ledges overhang the creek below. Perfect solitude. The Native American “Neshaminy” means “place where we drink twice,” and the area near the Palisades here at Dark Hollow is what earned the creek its name. The water slows here before picking up speed again, eventually flowing through Bensalem Township, and then emptying into the Delaware  River. The trails along the creek provide a winding unwinding that reminds us that no path and no person is free from irregularities, and thank God, because what a colossal bore that would be! So get off that computer and go explore some imperfect paths. See you on the trails!

Sandra