Mike's List
Michael Scheller's guide to local travels beyond the 'Berg
Every time Michael Scheller joins RJ Fellows for dinner, conversation inevitably turns to local places worthy of a visit. So here is Mike's list of great local places!
Wings
RJs are only 1/2 hour to 45 minutes away from some of the best wings around at the Keystone Pub.
3259 Easton Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Phone: 610-814-0400
Biking / Running
Check out this guide to Tow Paths in the Lehigh Valley, from leisurely rides to challenging courses.
View Spots
Bake Oven Knob -- About 20 miles east of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary near New Tripoli. An ideal site to observe fall migration. A 0.6 mile rocky walk leads to two rocky outcroppings on Kittatinny Ridge. No charge, no facilities. Directions here.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary -- You really dont have to pay to get in -- just walk from one of the lower trails. Eight miles of hiking trails offer incredible glimpses of hawks, eagles and falcons each autumn.
Lehigh University's Iacocca Hall -- Take the elevator to the top room. Go during a lightning storm, Full Moon, etc. Incredible 360 degree view. Located atop South Mountain on Lehigh University's Mountaintop Campus, it is the highest building in the Lehigh Valley.
Malls
- 1 hour to 1.5 hours -- The Crossings Outlet Mall
- 1 hour -- King of Prussia Mall
- 20 minutes -- New mall just opening, The Promenade
- 15 minutes -- Lehigh Valley Mall
Parks
Local:
- Trexler Park
- Allentown Rose Garden
- Lindberg Park
- Lehigh Parkway
- Lehigh Valley Zoo
Short Drives:
- 45 minutes -- Ringing Rocks -- An open field full of boulders and rocks of all sizes and shapes...they ring! Bring a small hammer.
- 45 minutes -- Lehigh Gorge -- Nice Waterfall and easy hike.
- 1 hour -- Hickory Run -- Boulder Jumping
- 3 hours east -- Delaware Beaches
- 4-5 hours drive -- Grand Canyon of PA
There used to be some quarries around the valley for skinny dipping, but somebody tested the water for pollutants and scared most of bathers away. Oh well.
Check out more information about more parks here.
Paintball
1 to 2 hours away -- Skirmish USA. The "D-Day" scenario is something to behold, even if you don't play -- if they revert back to pre 2005 style.
Snowboarding
(they might allow skiers there, too.)
- 15 minutes -- Shop -- Nestors
- 45 minutes -- Location -- Blue Mountain
Libraries
Muhlenberg is fairly modern but the best library in the Area -- the most comprehensive -- is Lehigh. They get federal money, if I am not mistaken, to keep up the engineering part. Or they used to.
Most Pleasant is Desales -- light oak tones, white walls, incredibly peaceful.
Willing to take a drive or bus? Spend a day at the Library of Congress. Last time I was there, I found out that Gerald Ford was a member of the Warren Commission on investigating JFK's death. You, your parents, etc. paid for the place. Its good to spend time there, not so much as a tourist, but also as a citizen.
Peace & Quiet
- Harry Trexler's Statue in Trexler Park.
- Any Library before 11 am.
- The exercise trail through the Rose Garden -- The equipment makes great benches.
- So does the Berman Art Collection throughout Allentown -- both functional and artistic.
Unusual Volunteer Opportunities
Feeling a bit depressed? Volunteer for an animal shelter. Its a nice alternative to keeping a pet on campus. Check out One by One, Inc. Joyce is a teacher at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem. I blame her for hooking my wife and kids on cats. Only volunteer if you are already addicted. If you're looking for something closer to Muhlenberg, check out the Lehigh County Humane Society.
Sports -- Referee, Coaching -- kids to high school -- Don't let your athletic skills from high school go to waste! In some cases you can get paid.
Environment
When you walk down the street and you see a piece of trash, pick it and throw it out. It doesn't require organization and money and a pledge drive. You won't win any volunteer awards. Yes, your friends will look at you weirdly. Then, you look back at them and say, "I think its rather weird to walk by such an easy opportunity to change the world."
Select Foods
Sushi -- Dancing Fish, in Bethlehem. While you will pay NYC prices, you will get close to NYC level sushi, without the drive. Otherwise, check out Wegman's.
Donuts -- Amish Village Bake Shop. PA Dutch stand at the Allentown Farmers' Market. 15 seconds in a microwave, or just leave out on a hot day. You will feel like you are eating the precursor to Krispy Kremes. Don't keep them for more than a day. They are not preserved. (or they weren't when I was a kid). Eat two; the first one won't taste right, especially if you just brushed your teeth.
Important Stuff to do Once in a Lifetime
(that is accessible from Lehigh Valley)Get your Passport updated, or get one for the first time. Take the bus into NYC and do it in person. It's like experiencing your own Ellis Island. Hours of waiting and feeling a bit of personal reflection on being an American.
Senior Year -- Irish Pub Crawl in Boston, on a day other than St. Pattie's Day. Only one in the group needs to be Irish. Its amazing how close it follows the Freedom Trail. Dress for the weather!
