A Rainy Day At The Greater Hazleton Rails To Trails
It was a cold, windy and overcast morning here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The skies were red at sunrise and, according to the old rhyme, “Red sky at night, sailors’ delight.
Red sky at morning, sailors take warning”, we were in for some stormy weather. Rain was predicated to arrive around noon so I decided to hike close to home and drove to our local rails to trails, about two miles from my house. 
Upon arrival at the parking lot I remembered this portion of the trail was closed for some drainage maintenance.
I drove to the another parking area on trail, near the one mile mark, where I began my hike in a light rain and sleet. The temperature was 33 degrees, and must have risen overnight since I found ice on the puddles on path.
I love walking this beautiful trail, although, during the warmer months I do not get here often because I am looking for huckleberries, mushrooms or photographs of wildlife at the PPl Wetlands and other nature preserves. 
The trail follows the path of the old Delaware, Susquehanna and Schuylkill, D, S & S railroad right of way. There is more information on the history of this railroad in a few of my prior posts which can be found using the search application here on my blog. 
The lush green leaves of summer are now gone and most of the colors of fall have faded too. The only color now is the dull red leaves of the oaks, 
and the green leaves of the pines and mountain laurel. 
The sleet and freezing rain ended and I noticed the many pitch pines that grow along the ridge above the trail. As I mentioned in my post last week I have always loved this trees and spent many hours as a child walking, playing and camping under their branches. 
I walked past the Dreck Creek reservoir and the rest area where a new pet rest and watering station was just built. 
I than followed the trail out past the heath barrens 
and the old road that led to the beryllium plant that was located near here. 
I encountered little wild life on my hike. I saw a blue jay, a few black-capped chickadees, a few juncos,
and a flock of , I think, sparrows, feeding on some birch catkins. 
Out near the heath barrens there were plenty of red tea berries,
and I found a few witch hazel trees. These trees are the only native tree that flowers in the fall. 
I walked out to the bridge that spans the still active railroad tracks. I discovered that the rain that fell area froze on the concrete on the bridge. 
And just when I decided to begin my hike back to my car it began to rain again. I walked the three miles back in a steady cold rain. It wasn’t the best day for a hike but I still loved being outside, enjoying the peace and quiet of the Pennsylvania woods. Here is a link to some more photographs from my hike today. Rails to trails hike November 18 2017
“We believe that the place to start … is in our communities. Americans living together and joining in associations across the country–this is where the tremendous strength and vision of our people will be tapped. We recommend a prairie fire of local action to sweep the nation, encouraging investment in outdoor recreation opportunities and rededication to the protection of our great natural heritage. – PRESIDENT’S COMMISSION ON AMERICANS OUTDOORS, Americans and the Outdoors
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