#7: [09-Aug-22]

#6: [16-Nov-15]

#5: [02-Jun-06]

#4: [27-Jun-05]

#3: [08-May-05]

#2: [18-Aug-04]

09-Jan-2000 -- It all began when geographer daughter, Jody Holton Krom, e-mailed the TopoZone URL. That led us to the Degree Confluence Project. Perusing, we discovered that our nearest confluence is right on a road ... an easy quest!

On a crisp winter Sunday, we headed north from our home in Bethlehem into the coal country of Pennsylvania. We took Rte 309 N to just outside Hazleton. There we found Old Turnpike Road, which descends the north side of a typical PA ridge named Butler Mountain.

The GPS confirmed that we were on the mark. The actual confluence is on the north side of Old Turnpike Road, where Donna is standing in Picture 1. From his vantage point across the road, Ray took pictures in all directions. Out of sight up the mountain, a dog (if not vicious, at least vigilant) barked furiously.

A few hundred feet down the road was a crumbled overpass which the topo map tells us is a rail line remnant... presumably one of many coal carriers which laced this region not so long ago. With an eye to the map, we found history visible in layers.

Objective achieved, we headed home. Thanks to the Degree Confluence Project for a great day!