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Mount Tammany
Mount Tammany Red Dot Trail Mount Tammany Trail, also known as Red Dot Trail, is probably the most strenuous trail I hiked this summer, and the most beautiful one (with Pinnacle and Lehigh Gap East closely behind). The plan was to hike up the Red, then head to Sunfish Lake via Fire Road and Turquoise, and back on the other side joining the Blue. Unfortunately, we got too tired and turned around half way on the Fire Road. The parking lot at the trail head is nice and clean. It’s a circle. I took this picture standing by the AT trail head. Red Trail head is on the other side…
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Italian Market
Italian Market It must have been over 20 years since we visited Italian Market last time. Strangely, it still looks the same, old, chaotic, but vibrant with colors and aroma. There are some very interesting stores. I don’t cook Italian often enough to know all the cheeses, oils, meats and spices. It’s eye-opening today, but I only came home with pictures. Next time, I will go with a purpose for some authentic Italian food essentials. Di Bruno Bros One of the busiest stores on the market. The variety of cheeses were just mind boggling. Grassia’s Spice Claudio’s Specialty Foods I never realized there are so many different shapes of pasta!…
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Lehigh Gap East Loop
Lehigh Gap East Loop Part of the Appalachian Trail, this section of the AT overlooks Lehigh Gap, a large hole carved by Lehigh River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain. Though I read about the rock climbing on this trail, I definitely didn’t expect a vertical ascend. The view on top is INCREDIBLE! The shaky knees and burning thighs were all worth it. It’s a beautiful day today. We arrived at the trail head right around sun rise (about 7:30). It’s very quiet and peaceful. Some posters near the trail head. In the background, Appalachian Mountain on the west side of Lehigh River, showered in the morning ray. Taking…
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Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock
Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock Part of Appalachian Trail, the section near Hamburg PA offers great view of Lehigh Valley and surrounding ridges. The hike was moderately difficult, mainly due to the steep elevation change about a mile before Pulpit Rock, and also it’s pretty long hike, about 8.7 miles. The first mile and half was an easy stroll, slight uphill through the woods. The deeply shaded and damp trail was perfect environment for mushrooms. Pulpit Rock I have heard from several people that there were rattle snakes in the crevasses on Pulpit Rock, but never had the luck to spot one. During our first hike in August, we did see…
