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As of two weeks into July, I had not had the time for an overnight at the beach or a trip to a concert. My time off is spent running errands, sleeping, and socializing with family and friends. Although I love all of that, I also need to enjoy the summer with a few “summery outings!”
So until I can get away to the beach, I have found some “summery outings” on the Keystone Active Zone Passport program. It’s perfect; when I have an hour or so, I can pull out my passport and plan a little hike in a nearby place. No special clothes needed, no money required. All of the trails and parks are in Luzerne County, so they are close by. Visit the program’s website to get a passport and find out more: KAZPassport.org.
On a beautiful Saturday morning, when I had to begin work at 11 a.m., I found on my KAZ passport a nice hike at Frances Slocum State Park. I looked up the park online and knew where I was headed. I had time to find the answer to the KAZ scavenger hunt question and to hike the Lake Shore Trail. I enjoyed seeing families on a picnic and people fishing. I pretended I was on a mini-vacation.
Participating in the KAZ Passport for several years has taught me a lot about local trails and parks, and how they are part of a statewide trail system. On June 4, one of my outings was a guided hike in the Seven Tubs Park near Bear Creek. We hiked along what eventually will be the newest section of the Delaware and Lehigh Trail, which runs from Philadelphia’s outskirts to Wilkes-Barre.
Wouldn’t it be cool to someday hike the entire 165-mile D&L Trail? Summer dreaming on one of my “summery outings.”
So far this year, I’ve been on 13 Keystone Active Zone Passport outings. And it’s only mid-July.
This is going to be a great summer!
Catherine Blum
Wilkes-Barre