Manayunk – “where we go to drink”

The most iconic part of my section of Philadelphia is this bridge. It once took trains carrying people, coal, and iron to and from Reading and parts in between. Completed in 1884, the bridge was rebuilt by the Pennsylvania railroad in 1918 to what we recognize today. It then was acquired by SEPTA from Conrail (acquired the bridge from PRR in 1976). I fell in love with this bridge as a younger person and continue to love it to this day. The day I took the picture to the left it was gated and you could not cross it. Of course, there were holes in the gate, and plans were being made to update the bridge once more. It would be a shame to let this beautiful monument of Manayunk’s past waste away and not use it. So, of course, I have pictures from the top: gravel, and weeds with signs of group parties and fires. Yes, I remember remnants of fire up there. It makes you wonder what people think. My imagination goes down the rabbit hole of being a cop and seeing the light of the fire upon the bridge as I do my nightly patrols. As I have grown older, I think to myself, why would people who are trespassing light a beacon to them breaking trespassing laws? I’m sure there are some stories from those people. I would love to hear how their experiences relate to my imagination. If you have a story please reach out, I have a story of my own that I would love to trade. 😉

As the Pennsy Bridge connects Manayunk to our neighbors across the river in West Laurel Hill, the Towpath connects the Schuylkill River Trail from The Manayunk Brewpub to Shawmont Ave. The Towpath is a cinder path that allows for safe passage and very nice views of the Schuykill River. As I make my way behind the shops on Main Street, I like to figure out which are my favorite. Of course, I usually do this alone as people tend to get annoyed when I call out Winnie’s or point at Philadelphia Runner’s bathroom window. It really is like you are in a quaint European town. A full list of the happenings in Manayunk can be found here. After you pass Green Lane, you come into the more serene part of the Towpath. Trees overgrow from both sides and the view is clear to the other side of the river. Approaching the beginning of the canal, you will see Lock 68 and the Sluice House. Farther down the path, you will find the Flat Rock Damn and the source of water for the canal. If you have a chance to hike and explore this area it really is fascinating how the need for this canal was vital for the mills that lined Main Street. It is also sad to see the state of the canal. Even if you could open the gates, the sludge that you walk across to get to the main lock blocks where water once flowed. It is amazing to explore, and even better to imagine, what life looked like when ships and barges brought coal through the canal. However, the current canal conditions are pretty poor. There is an opportunity to make this into a nice feature of the Towpath. I have some ideas but no clue how to make it happen. Reach out if this is a project that we can make work.

In 1985 Eric Heiden won the first Philadelphia International Championship. He was an Olympic champion as well as a badass cyclist. The race continued and became an event that I personally looked forward to throughout my life. Reach out and we can talk about the parties and best and worst memories of the bike race day. I call the area above The Wall my home, and I wish that this race was still held. As with many Philadelphia traditions, the Philadelphia International Championship went the way of the Dodo bird in 2016. I would love to go through a photo roll review with anyone that would like to talk bikes and reminisce about the event. Ask to see my picture with the last winner Eduard Prades. The featured picture opens up all the memories of the race: being involved with it for many years, as well as riding the course and walking the Manayunk loop, drinking, and just having fun. I am glad I was able to capture this memory in 2016. There is a print of this picture hanging in Winnie’s Manayunk, and I am proud to point it out whenever I am in the restaurant. I have been asked how that shot was taken, where it was taken, and who the cyclist was. The first question is simple, with a really fast shutter speed. The second, Ridge Avenue (which is known as the fall from the wall funny enough) before you get to the Wissahickon Transportation Center. The cyclists can get speeds exceeding 40 mph in this stretch and seem to fly by when you re watching from the crowd. And the final question, I have no idea who this is. If you know please pass her info on to me. I would love to send a print to her.