The D&L Blog

Lay of the Land

Written by Amy

A job offer brought me to the Lehigh Valley in late 2021. I remember searching rentals online, trying to decide if I should live in one of the cities – Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem – or one of the many surrounding municipalities. It was overwhelming. I somewhat closed my eyes and chose, figuring I would explore upon arrival and could always move if I found it lacking. 

Once unpacked, I began to learn my new locale. Having moved in the winter, I figured it would be a few months before I would break out my paddleboard and explore the surrounding parks. Instead, I sought out trails for walking, for spending time in nature. I was delighted to discover the D&L Trail. Not only was it near my house, but it ran through many of the very neighborhoods I wanted to explore. I spent my first Christmas holiday in the area looking for birds along the D&L Trail. 

As I fully embarked on my journey to learn the area’s many boroughs and townships, I would pick a municipality, then look up if the D&L Trail ran through it. When it did, I always started my explorations with a walk along that trail section. In fact, the D&L Trail became my geographic anchor. Instead of picking out neighborhoods, I began picking out D&L Trailheads and seeing what I could explore from there. 

When spring came, I started thinking about buying a new bike. My prior bike was totaled in a car accident, an event that dampened by desire to bike on roads. After a little searching, I joined the bike owning ranks again and began to seek out dedicated bike trails. I found a few options, but the D&L Trail remained a favorite. I would ride for miles, turning around not because the trail ended, but because I was tired. I started taking an annual biking trip to the Poconos, enjoying the autumn colors as the D&L Trail wound through Lehigh Gorge State Park.  

My initial explorations taught me the contours of the Lehigh Valley, but I have many miles yet to travel and look forward to what I will learn along the way.