July 20: On our next to last day in PA, hiking what I now refer to as " the environmental disaster tour of PA", I jokingly said " What's next? The trail goes through radioactive waste?" Well little did I know...,
Today we walked past Nuclear Lake, the site of a plutonium dust explosion in 1972. United Nuclear Corp had a research facility on the land then, and were doing some kind of research with bomb grade plutonium and uranium dust. BOOM! The plant was closed, the hazardous material cleaned up, and contaminated soil, rocks, leaves, etc trucked out. The federal government declared the land safe for general use on 1975 and purchased the land in1979. The Appalachian Trail was rerouted past Nuclear Lake in 1986. Awesome.
There are signs posted around the lake prohibiting swimming. But the lake itself hasn't been tested for radiation levels. Had we past by the lake yesterday when it was over 100, I would have said "radiation, schmadiation!" And jumped right in.
Today we walked past Nuclear Lake, the site of a plutonium dust explosion in 1972. United Nuclear Corp had a research facility on the land then, and were doing some kind of research with bomb grade plutonium and uranium dust. BOOM! The plant was closed, the hazardous material cleaned up, and contaminated soil, rocks, leaves, etc trucked out. The federal government declared the land safe for general use on 1975 and purchased the land in1979. The Appalachian Trail was rerouted past Nuclear Lake in 1986. Awesome.
There are signs posted around the lake prohibiting swimming. But the lake itself hasn't been tested for radiation levels. Had we past by the lake yesterday when it was over 100, I would have said "radiation, schmadiation!" And jumped right in.
As it was, though, there was a light drizzle with temps in the low 80s when we walked past around 8:30 am. No need to expose myself to contaminated plutonium today.
The trail continued past the lake ( which looked quite picturesque and nice) through gently rolling Forrest trails before descending into a nice wetland reserve with a boardwalk.
The trail continued past the lake ( which looked quite picturesque and nice) through gently rolling Forrest trails before descending into a nice wetland reserve with a boardwalk.
We then came to the Appalachian Trail train station. Small little depot which runs two trains per day only on weekends to Grand Central Station. We were there on a Saturday so we actually got to see the train. Exciting!
We stopped into Nature Nursery, a gardening store next to the train stop with a hiker lounge. We got sodas and snickers and hung out with Flavor Savor, Walking Sticks, and Waffles while - of course- hanging our shirts in the sun to dry. I had hoped that the mornings rain would produce a break in the humidity, but no such luck.
After our break, we continued on the perfect and delightful section of New York trail I have seen described in guidebooks and websites.
After our break, we continued on the perfect and delightful section of New York trail I have seen described in guidebooks and websites.
Fields and farms
Wetlands
A couple rocky sections and forest walking. The best 6 miles of New York! And then...
We reached New England! I was so happy! It was just such a psychological victory to get to Connecticut.
That didn't drop the humidity level at all. But Connecticut does mark the return of water! We ended the day with a swim in Ten Mile River- a welcome, refreshing, radiation less break in a very long, hard week.
That didn't drop the humidity level at all. But Connecticut does mark the return of water! We ended the day with a swim in Ten Mile River- a welcome, refreshing, radiation less break in a very long, hard week.
We spent a nice night at Ten Mile Shelter with Flavor and Walking Sticks.
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