Funny Plaque in Lexington, VA

[ErnieMac]

I graduated from Lehigh U. 40+ years ago. Really enjoyed the area, sorry to here its developing so much.

 

[Mr. King]

I graduated from Lehigh U. 40+ years ago. Really enjoyed the area, sorry to here its developing so much.

Development is a sad, yet natural thing. It makes some folks rich by increasing property values for a time. But if you hold on too long and things don't work out right, it will inevitably decrease that value.

My wife's family, except for her brother, made their tearful exit in 2003. My father-in-law was trying to finish out his career, and took a job in Louisiana, and finally Wilmington, NC. The house he built in the early 80s for $50k sold for around $300k. There are many factors as to why, but overall, it was a good thing.

My first visit to the Lehigh Valley was in 2006, and though much more congested now than then, I can say that I was astounded at the improvement that seemed to be taking place. A few new factories have really been a breath of fresh air for the area. New parks and shopping centers are popping up everywhere. Despite the sad loss of undeveloped land, it looks like a welcoming place, barring the inner city parts.

The negative aspect is the fact that it seems to be converting slowly into a suburb of New Jersey and New York City, which has had a strange impact. Jaguars, Mercedes Benz, BMWs, and Escalades are slowly replacing the old farm trucks and frugal family cars that used to roam the area. Downtown Allentown and Bethlehem, which were once safe areas, are now (from all my sources) becoming dangerous areas. Also, many old farmers and selling their small 100 acres farms, and the buyers are cutting it up into .5 acre lots, and turning the landscape into something resembling an Edward Scissorhands type neighborhood.

Despite all these changes, I will say that the area as a whole still has many times the quantity, and quality of old farms, houses, buildings, and tiny "wagon roads" that I grew up around in the Deep South.
I've often wondered why the Deep South does not have as many old houses and buildings as Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania does. I think I can attribute that to A) a strong push by locals to preserve and maintain older properties; B) the climate in the South, such as humidity, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc., has been cruel to the old buildings; C) the Yankees burned us out. I'm sure I'm wrong about part of that.. maybe...

 

[E_just_E]

Downtown Allentown and Bethlehem, which were once safe areas, are now (from all my sources) becoming dangerous areas. .

Actually this is the other way around, and especially as far as Easton goes. I moved to the area about 12 years now and when I first arrived there was no way to go to Downtown Allentown or Easton after dark (Bethlehem is kinda weird, really has 2 downtowns and the both have been fairly safe.) Now there are a lot of shops and restaurants in all 3 downtowns, plenty of people walking around after dark and enough police presence to make it pretty safe. There are still some nasty pockets, especially around certain bars etc, but they are not downtown and fairly easy to avoid. Market values downtown in all 3 cities, but esp. Allentown and Easton have skyrocketed with this change so dives just cannot afford to be downtown... I am not sure how the casino area in Bethlehem is, I don't hang around there

 

[Mr. King]

Actually this is the other way around, and especially as far as Easton goes. I moved to the area about 12 years now and when I first arrived there was no way to go to Downtown Allentown or Easton after dark (Bethlehem is kinda weird, really has 2 downtowns and the both have been fairly safe.) Now there are a lot of shops and restaurants in all 3 downtowns, plenty of people walking around after dark and enough police presence to make it pretty safe. There are still some nasty pockets, especially around certain bars etc, but they are not downtown and fairly easy to avoid. Market values downtown in all 3 cities, but esp. Allentown and Easton have skyrocketed with this change so dives just cannot afford to be downtown... I am not sure how the casino area in Bethlehem is, I don't hang around there

BTW, Every time we visit, we must stop at Yoccos (http://www.yoccos.com/), Armetta's (http://www.armettaspizzarestpub.com/indexs.php), and Rita's (http://www.ritasice.com/). We always make certain to leave PA with a truck bed full of A-treat birch beer and good Italian bread. Until recently, that list also included Tasty-cakes.

 

[jackt62]

That is a very funny marker! I missed seeing it when I visited Lexington two years ago.

 

[truthckr]

In what region? I just drove through on Wednesday, and saw no sign of anything like that...

That it terrible.

The fire started last Saturday, April 16th, Skyline Drive and Appalachian Trail both closed at Swift Run Gap (US Rt. 33), South. Confined to the West side mostly, but I just heard on local radio that the fire has jumped the Drive and is now on the Eastern slopes. Obviously, the whole park is not in danger and there are many nice overlooks and trails North of Swift Run Gap.

According to local tv, Brown's Gap road and trail are affected. For you Stonewall fans, that's the road/trail that the Gen. used during part of the Valley Campaign. Lots of National fire crews plus locals working to contain the fire, but much effort spent protecting communities and private property near the fire.

I haven't seen any coverage on National news, so really just spreading the word. They hope to have the fire contained by April 30th. An abnormal, for April, lack of rain and gusty winds have not helped.

 

[truthckr]

A picture of the fire from WHSV TV-3

 

[Mr. King]

View attachment 98315
A picture of the fire from WHSV TV-3

I hate to like that picture, but that is an awe inspiring picture.
I saw a black bear I'm the Skyline Drive 2 years back. He was sickly and missing much hair, but a black bear none the less.