Hike #132; Belvidere/Riverton to Oxford

 Hike #132

Hike 132

Overlooking Foul Rift and the power plant from the Tekening Preserve. In the years following an observation deck was built on this rock.

4/20/4

 

For this hike, Jim Delotto joined me to do the section from the Tekening Preserve in

Riverton, PA back to Oxford. I believe we left his car at Tekening, the indian name

meaning “In the Woods”, and mine in Oxford at the Central School. Maybe it was

vice-versa but I don’t remember.

Tekening Preserve, Riverton PA

Martins Creek PP&L from Tekening Preserve

Belvidere area ruins

Old Bel Del Railroad, Belvidere NJ

On the former Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad in Belvidere

Along former LHR railroad, Belvidere

Old mile marker along LHR railroad near Belvidere

Former LHR railroad near Hazen, now a path

Old bridge over Rt 519 for the LHR railroad

Old underpass near Bridgeville beneath the LHR railroad

We walked the loop around the preserve on this beautiful clear day. We had great

conversation and high spirits, without any outside substances the date 4/20 is so well

known for!

We continued around the loop, then walked the road out and across the

Belvidere-Riverton Bridge, and headed over to Skoogy’s Deli. I think I stopped by a little

breakfast place to say hi to Stephanie D’Arcy whom I went to high school with.

We continued through my grandfather’s vacant lot and through the ruins to the Bel Del

railroad, south to the L&HR line. We climbed a bit on the old railroad cars, and headed

across the new age restricted developement. By this time, all the houses in proximity to the

railroad bed were complete. The pathway closely following the railroad bed was all in

place. Some new houses within site were still being worked on. We crossed and headed

out across the field sections to Bridgeville. Somwhere in here Delotto lost his sleeveless

shirt he’d been wearing, so I gave him mine.

After Bridgeville, we checked out the ruins of a farm just uphill from the railroad right of

way. We also discovered a farm underpass I had never noticed in the past at this site.

As we walked on, I think Delotto’s sugar level began to drop rapidly. It was a worrysome

little bit there, but we got through it and he was okay. Still, it was a beautiful day and a

great walk.

Old farmstead near the LHR railroad bed