Enjoy an all-American family experience at the trails
Enjoy an all-American family experience at the trails
By Tyler Frantz
On July 4th, we celebrate our nation’s independence and all this great country has to offer. Patriotic songs are played, picnics are held and fireworks emblazon the summer sky.
Americans across the nation adorn themselves in red, white and blue, proudly flying Old Glory outside their homes. Our military heroes are given the credit they deserve for bravely defending the freedoms those stars and stripes represent. Of course, our country has its ups and downs, as all nations do, but on Independence Day, our issues and differences are cast aside, as we celebrate not as separate party lines, but as unified Americans for a common purpose. Liberty is a gift that we can all appreciate and enjoy.
That simple truth was realized last Sunday when, after church and an easy lunch of hotdogs, hand-cut fries and baked beans, I was fortunate to spend a carefree afternoon with my family hiking the nature trails at the North Londonderry Township Municipal Complex near our home.
Located at 655 East Ridge Road, Palmyra, the complex is situated on a 63-acre tract overlooking the Lebanon Valley. It boasts a terrific spread for recreational hiking, biking and catch & release fishing on a warm water pond. The complex’s well-maintained trail system is open from dawn to dusk and is even utilized by local cross-country teams for running events. To be honest, I’ve driven past the facility hundreds of times on my way to work each day, but I’ve never gone up to explore the nature trails, which are located at the top of the hill behind the township’s compost yard.
While cleaning up the kitchen after lunch, my wife, Erin, asked me if I wanted to go for a walk with her, our infant son, Foster, and bird dog, Cali. Curious about the nearby trail system and equally excited to put our new “off-roading” baby stroller to the test, I suggested we head over to the North Londonderry Hiking Trails for an afternoon excursion.
Upon arrival, we found clearly marked signs directing us to the parking area for the hiking trails. A guide map, which is also used for displaying three legs of the cross-country routes, indicated seven different color-coded trails, ranging in distance from .09-.69 of a mile. Using a combination of trails, hikers (or mountain bikers, for that matter) can easily select a route in excess of 2 miles, as we did. Most of the trails were cleared of vegetation and neatly mulched for easy walking. Color-specific tags marked the routes, making them easy to navigate as they meandered through a dense canopy of mature poplars, maples and oaks.
At several locations, educational nature facts were displayed, ranging from information on birds and insects to tree species identification and even an explanation of how bat boxes work to benefit Little Brown Bat populations.
Our Chicco Activ3 jogging stroller- the Duramax of all baby strollers- had no problem negotiating the uneven terrain with its dual rear suspension. Though I wouldn’t recommend families taking a regular stroller on these trails, those possessing a rugged three-wheel design with off-road shock absorption will do just fine.
As he often does, Foster fell asleep within minutes of movement in his comfortable, mobile enclosure, while Erin, Cali and I enjoyed a leisurely hike through the woods and across a wooden footbridge. Cali wanted to hunt, of course, so keeping her leashed (as required by trail rules) was the only drawback. It was for the better, perhaps, as we saw plenty of wildlife that she would have otherwise been obliged to chase down. There were groundhogs, squirrels, cottontail rabbits, kingfishers, songbirds, and though we didn’t see any deer, I spotted a few whitetail tracks in the damp earth.
Most impressive was the distinct aroma of completely fresh air that permeated the woodlot. There was no evidence of litter or trash, no traffic sounds, no worries whatsoever. Aside from the trails, markers and occasional benches or other manmade objects, we were surrounded by pure, isolated nature.
Erin commented on how beautiful it was to find a hidden treasure like this in the midst of a bustling and ever-expanding municipality. In some ways, I believe she got a taste of the purity I enjoy so much each time I venture outdoors hunting or fishing. There is a sense of solace that comes with being surrounded by the natural wonders of the world, and I wish more people could experience it for themselves. After all, outdoor recreation is a freedom we can all appreciate. Whether casting a line, sitting in a deer stand or doing something as simple as hiking a trail with loved ones on a lazy Sunday afternoon, we are extremely blessed to live in a country with so many special places in which we can freely enjoy nature.
To me, spending time outdoors with my family is as American as it gets, and I’d like to take this moment to genuinely thank all the wonderful men and women who have worked so diligently to grant us this privilege. God bless the USA.
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