Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor

"As long as my legs carry me, despite pandemics and quarantine, I’ll always have something to do and explore in the Lehigh Valley." We might be biased, but we loved Don Cunningham's column! Between the D&L Trail and many other regional trails there's still plenty to do in the Lehigh Valley. Find your closest D&L Trailhead online: delawareandlehigh.org/map Find other Lehigh Valley Trails via THE LINK Trails: https://www.thelinktrails.com/

Winter offers a wealth of ways to get outdoors, including birding. Dozens of species of birds call Eastern Pennsylvania home in the winter. Can you guess which one is pictured here? What birds of you spotted, this winter? | Photo courtesy of the Bucks County Audobon Society

There are just a few days left in the year. As we look to 2021, we are stoked to connect more miles of D&L Trail, take our education programming throughout the Corridor, and keep making connections. Be our hero and help us go BIG in 2021 by making a gift. Visit delawareandlehigh.org/donate to join our community of generosity.

We can always learn from the outdoors. Today's nature nugget comes from our rivers and also Robert Frost, "the best way out is always through."

The violent actions that occurred in Washington, D.C., yesterday were such an affront to many of our organization’s central beliefs that we are compelled to provide our perspective and condemnation. As news unraveled of the assault to the U.S. Capitol Building and its inhabitants, each one of these values were also attacked. | Read our full statement on the blog.

Take nothing but pictures, or in this case videos, and leave nothing but footprints. Thanks to all of our trail users for being such great stewards of the trail. : @hikingthestates

A New Year's Greeting and history lesson out of our archives in the National Canal Museum. Though the featured cards are from more than a 100 years old, postal marks show that these 2 cent cards arrived at their destination in time for the New Year, unlike this year's shipping and postal delays! Read the blog for more.

All you need for a good time is the right gear. What’re your tips for beginner cross country skiers? | Photo Courtesy of @justinealbright on Instagram

When you traverse the D&L Trail, you’re exploring history. Have you noticed one of the many remains of the region’s locks along the D&L? | : Bill Drumbore

The Lehigh River is the Lehigh Valley’s most treasured natural resource. says Christopher Kocher, president of Wildlands Conservancy. From recreation and respite that supports our local economy to drinking water and wildlife habitat - our mighty Lehigh is undoubtedly the lifeblood of our beautiful region. Wildlands, together with our partners, is thrilled to have to even more cause for the community to come together and celebrate the Lehigh River! _ Join us in voting our beloved Lehigh River the 2021 PA River of the Year! Vote by January 22 at 5pm: http://pariveroftheyear.org/

Did you see us on the news? News 13 caught up with our Deputy Director, Claire Sadler, to chat about the record trail counts we saw in 2020. To all our trail users, thanks for getting out with us in 2020.

Happy first [official] day of Winter! Happy Solstice! How are you spending it? Whether you hit the trail or looking to the cosmos, we wanna hear about your day! Photo courtesy of Becky Olesky

It's Election Day, D&L! We encourage all of our eligible D&L Community to get out and cast your ballot, if you haven't done so already. We've long benefitted from a legacy of bi-partisan support from our elected officials to connect the D&L Trail, share our nationally significant industrial heritage, contribute to the economic and community development of the Corridor and further our work in environmental and historic preservation. Our elected officials in many ways decide the future of non-profits and National Heritage Areas like ours as they vote on legislation and budgets that can help our efforts, including the Environmental Stewardship Fund and Keystone Fund for example. It's our hope that we will cast our votes for officials at every level of government who will support our work. Your vote and voice matter. Go out and be heard!

"The benefits of the outdoors are many include providing exercise opportunities, reducing stress and boosting energy and creativity. In fact, at a time when terms like ‘quarantining,’ ‘social distancing’ and ‘flattening the curve’ became part of our lexicon, it was the ‘self-care’ experiences involving woods and water that helped keep my family sane and get through the year." - Thanks lehighvalleylive.com and Mark Demko for including us in this round up. We're proud to be a resource for the Lehigh Valley and all the folks in our five-county Corridor. #LVMadePossible

Trail Friendly Business Spotlight: 152 years and five generations make A F Boyer Hardware the oldest family run hardware shop in the country. Talk about special. PLUS, they take care of trail users with free water bottle refills, stocking the shop with trail user needs and an all around welcoming environment!

Winter Wonderland Whether you love the winter or not, you have to admit this view looks otherworldly. Drop your winter views in the comments! | Photo Courtesty of Bridgeton House on the Delaware

Mules day off! Just a reminder from our boys, Hank & George, to relax a little and enjoy the crunchy leaves of Fall.

Winter Wonderland | There's something magical about the first snowfall of the season. Who else is getting out there today? - Photo courtesy of Friends of the Delaware Canal

Trail Friendly Business Spotlight: Need to unwind and work out a few kinks from that long run or ride? Jim Thorpe Massage & Wellness Studio has got your back-- literally. Check out this Trail Friendly Business and escape from some holiday stress.

Calling 2020 a tough year is an understatement. How have you stayed resilient and taken care of yourself? Our Deputy Director, Claire Sadler shares just a bit about how we at the D&L have managed to stay gritty in such a challenging year. Read all about it on the blog!

We're starting off November grateful for our kind and considerate D&L Trail users. Shout out to Pete, Lenny, and Frank for helping trail user Mary Lou with her flat tire. What "Good Samaritans" have witnessed out on the D&L Trail? #Payitforward | Also, if you know our mystery heroes tag 'em here! We'd love to than them for their kindness.

As you zip off into the whirlwind of a new week, get excited. There’s only three more mondays in 2020. BUT plenty of miles to explore! : @unkwiththefunk on Instagram

Has it started snowing where you are? Plan ahead, so you can make the most of a snowy day on the trail. Check out our map at delawareandlehigh.org/map to find the trailhead closest to you and get your snowshoes ready!

Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog! Have you all snagged some of Diggity Dogs & More's good eats while out on the D&L Trail? This Trail Friendly Business will help you fuel and refuel after a long day on the D&L. Learn more on our blog in our most recent Trail Friendly Business Spotlight: https://delawareandlehigh.org//trail-friendly-business-sp/

Your generosity means more trail to enjoy. It’s no secret we’ve all depended on trails for fresh air and escape during stay at home orders. Make a gift to support trail development, trail maintenance and all of our mission driven work. Give at delawareandlehigh.org/donate

Economic development is a pillar of our work and 2020 showcased just how much trails mean for business. Across the country, the Corridor included, bikes, kayaks and other outdoor recration gear were sold out and hard to come by. Our Trail Friendly Businesses saw the benefits to being near the trail and ready to serve trail users!

We’re so proud to be a resource to our communities across the Corridor and even prouder to work with and support partner organizations like Community Bike Works!

Trick or Treat Halloween may not look the same across the Corridor, but we've got some special plans for families nonetheless. Join us for Kids on the Canal: Trick or Treat and try your little one's canal trivia for ghoulish-ious treats and spooky crafts! PLUS, take on of the last cruises down the Lehigh Canal. Boat rides run for the last time in 2020, this weekend. Visit our event page for full details: Kids on the Canal: Trick or Treat.

Curious about the scarves at the Slatington Trailhead? They're a part of Project Warm & Cozy-- a hometown effort to help out those in need. Warms our hearts! If you can, leave a hat, scarf or get connected with the heroes behind the effort.

Trail Friendly Business Spotlight: Have you shopped at Beautiful Hidden Treasures Beautiful Hidden Treasures? Just feet away from the D&L Trail in Lehighton, it's another great spot to pick up pre-loved gems, from home decor to chachkies!

Join us Today at 3:30 on Facebook Live for a deep dive on the trail development progress in Luzerne County. - Trail projects in Luzerne County range from planning to construction phases, and we will explore what is needed to complete the D&L Trail through Luzerne County.

REMINDER: Join us this afternoon as we discuss trail plans and projects in Luzerne County! We'll talk possible connections and routes for the D&L Trail, including its route into Downtown Wilkes-Barre!

We couldn’t let mule day pass us by without shouting out our boys Hank & George! Our favorite co-workers and engines of the Josiah White II. Come meet them at the National Canal Museum! #muleday

What section of the D&L did you explore this weekend? : @jenfhare on Instagram

How did you learn to ride a bike? whether you were a kiddo learning with a loved one like this sweet duo or you learned on the fly as an adult, we want to hear your story! : @kay.matheny on Instagram

There are only TWO weekends left to cruise down the Lehigh Canal on our Josiah White II. While you're enjoying a leisurely ride, check out the fall leaves as the Lehigh Valley enters its peak time for foliage. #LVMadePossible Reserve your spot at canals.org/canal-boat-reservations/