We drove into the town of Jim Thorpe, PA, and were surprised and impressed with the 3 and 4 story buildings in the small Pennsylvania town. And we were a bit tense about driving through the narrow streets in the motor home to get to the campground (but we made it).
The history of the town is about anthracite coal and the Lehigh Valley railroad founded by Asa Packer. The railroad hauled coal east to fuel the industrial revolution in America. We toured Mr. Packer’s mansion which is on a hilltop overlooking the town.
On the third day we bicycled on the Lehigh Gorge Rail Trail, beginning in White Haven and ending back in downtown Jim Thorpe – 25 miles and a record biking distance for us. The trail has a barely perceptible 2 per cent descent and is hard packed fine gravel which rides almost like pavement.
The trail followed the Lehigh River on the left and the Lehigh Valley Railroad. We stopped at waterfalls, views of the river, and old railroad junctions.
Rock outcroppings, the beginning of fall color, and pleasant weather made for an enjoyable ride. And as we neared the end of the trail, the Lehigh Valley Scenic train came by, taking people to see the area that we had just biked through.
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