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3.09.2017

Delaware Canal Towpath, Historic Spots, and Rolling Hills of Bucks County

Today we take a scenic ride down the Delaware River through the rolling hills of Bucks County. The scenery and historic buildings are truly beautiful in this region. 

Here is a view of the Gardenville Hotel, a historic carriage tavern that dates back to 1885. It no longer serves as a hotel, but as with many of these awesome places throughout southeastern PA, it serves as a restaurant and banquet facility. One of my favorite things about this region is the amount of old carriage hotels and taverns that remain. Seemingly every village area has one of these places with so much character.
Here is another contributing building to the Gardenville National Historic District. I was really amazed with the beauty of the area. I apologize for the shot into the sun on this one. 
The remains of the historic Delaware Canal run along this spot. The towpath is an acclaimed place for bicyclists and runners to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby urban areas. So many remains are located within this spot, including working viaducts that carry the canal water across roads. Not many places have these old bridges still intact. The canal was built prior to the era of railroads, to carry coal and other products to market from the north, to Philadelphia to the south. The canal ran from the end of the Lehigh Canal in Easton, Northampton County, to Bristol, Bucks County. The Lehigh Canal carried anthracite coal from the coal mines in northeastern PA, to Easton, carrying goods from important manufacturers from all points north, most notably including Bethlehem Steel. The railroads slowly began to chip away at the service of the canals, and they would not survive the Great Depression. 

Nearby you can find the beautiful New Hope and Ivyland Railroad, and the charming little city of New Hope. The ride down the Delaware River is just gorgeous. Doylestown is also a charming little city that is worth exploring, especially the Fonthill Castle and Mercer Museum
One of the road bridges across the canal. I love how much was preserved of the canal. The towpath has also become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and it is easy to see why. The canal is seemingly deep in the woods, with mature forests surrounding it. 
A view up the river to Washington's Crossing, a place that needs no introduction. 
And you have to make an obligatory stop at Wawa for a hoagie! The best fast food hoagies known to humankind. 


The rolling hills of Bucks County are excellent to explore. Between the many beautiful towns, historical areas, the canal and river, and the general pleasant sights and sites, this is a spectacular place to relax in. Other places further north along the Delaware include light hiking and fun exploration at the natural oddity of Ringing Rocks Park and the High Falls Waterfall, tons of fun boating and fishing opportunities on the Delaware River and Lake Nockamixon, covered bridges, and more.

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