Thursday, April 12, 2012 - Muhlenberg Township

AL will lead a hike of ~ 6 miles in the Muhlenberg Township/ Laureldale Borough area. This hike is over various terrain including roads, sidewalks and trails, and there are hills. We will walk the new trail and see the improvements to the Bernhart’s Dam Park, not yet completed and now owned by Muhlenberg Twp., and looking great. We also will walk a part of the Muhlenberg Rail Trail which is completed and is still being beautified. Wearing orange and a lunch stop after the hike is optional.

MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Dominic Manzella Memorial Park parking lot, above the Manorcare, just off Elizabeth Ave. in Laureldale.

DIRECTIONS: Traveling north on Bus. Rte. 222, (5th St. Hwy.) in Muhlenberg Twp., turn right onto Elizabeth Ave. and follow to a driveway just above the 2100 block up hill on left side. Obey enforced speed limits in Laureldale.

TELEPHONE: Al 610-929-9694 or 610-223-9806 on day of the hike.

Thursday, April 5, 2012 - Mt Gretna

MARGARET will lead a 6 mile loop hike at Governor Dick Environmental Center in the Clarence Schock Memorial Park. This loop uses woodland trails with interesting rock formations on the less used eastern side of the park. Wear good hiking boots due to rocks and wet spots. We will visit the Observation Tower on the return leg. There will be an optional lunch stop in Mt. Gretna.

1st MEET: 9:00 A.M. @ Park and Ride Lot where Rte. 272 meets Rte. 222. Notify leader if you intend to meet there. We will use the turnpike, but if no one calls, the leader will go directly to the Environmental Center.

2nd MEET: 9:45 A.M. @ Governor Dick Environmental Center, 3282 Pinch Road, Lebanon (near Mt. Gretna).

TELEPHONE: Margaret 610-779-8393

Thursday March 29, 2012 - Shoemakersville

GERRY & WILLIE will lead a 6 mile hike in Shoemakersville. We will walk on country roads, and up and down the Shoey hills, of this Berks County area and be rewarded with beautiful views of the Blue Mountains and surrounding farm lands. Wear ORANGE for road walking. A lunch stop afterwards is an option.

MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Kuzan’s Hardware Store north end of the parking lot. Kuzan’s is located on Rte. 61 north of Shoemakersville.

TELEPHONE: Gerry or Willie 610-678-5245.

Thursday March 22, 2012 - Springton Manor

RANDY will lead a 5+ miles hike in Springton Manor Farms. This is part of Chester County Parks system and trail info can be seen at: wwwchesco.org/ccparks. This is moderate hiking on two thirds trails and one third roads with one long hill. There are live animals and typical farm scenery to be viewed. There will be an optional lunch stop after the hike at the Heritage Restaurant on Route 10 in Morgantown.

1st MEET: 9:30A.M. @ The Windmill Restaurant parking lot southwest corner of Rtes. 10 & 23 in Morgantown.
2nd MEET: 10:00 A.M. @ Springton Manor Farms parking lot .

DIRECTIONS TO 2ND MEETING POINT: Go South on Rte. 10 to Rte. 322 turn left and go East several miles to cross Rte. 82 and go another ¼ mile to a church on right side and turn left onto Highspire Rd. and follow for about 1 mile to turn left onto Springton Rd. follow for ¼ mile and turn right into Springton Manor Farms Complex on Park Rd. and follow ¼ mile to parking lot on right side.

TELEPHONE: Randy 610-273-9160

Thursday, March 15, 2012 - St Mary of Providence Center

HERB will lead a 6 mile late winter road walk letting the snow plows clear the way, you never know, because Mother Nature is fickle. The walk will start at the St. Mary of Providence Center south of Elverson. Upon arriving and parking at the retreat center we will take a short tour of the 50+ room restored mansion and walk along the stone-walled lanes around the property. Then, visit the historic company village of Isabella, pass the remains of an old iron works, and return to the mansion. A lunch stop afterwards is optional.

MEET: 9:30 A.M. @ Elverson Deli, Rtes. 23 & 82 in Elverson.

TELEPHONE: Herb 610-286-6886 with questions or further details.