Daytripping - Steel Stacks

 What you see below is one of my favorite places to take photos.

It is certainly not picturesque in any way.

Its gritty. Its hard.

It has a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.

However, it also has a very big part in America's history

and its successes.

If you have ever been to the Chrysler Building in NYC. If you have ever driven across the Golden Gate bridge or toured the U.S.S. Missouri, you have seen the product that came out of the Bethlehem Steel plant. From the steel for munitions and the steel to make battleships, Bethlehem Steel was an integral part of the WWII war effort.

Bethlehem really was a one trick pony. 

If you lived in Bethlehem in the '40s, you either worked there

or someone in your family did. 

In the mid-90s the plant was shuttered and Bethlehem became pretty much a destitute town.

But, that is not the end of the story.

Artsfest.org now has a thriving arts and festival community on the grounds and have been integral in preserving the furnace. They have things going on all year 'round including Peeps Fest. NYC can keep their big ball for New Year's. We have a giant PEEP.

There is also Musikfest in the summer AND a huge Christkindl Market at, of course, Christmas time.

So, let's take a look at where it all began.

Those flywheels are taller than me!

Those five furnaces went 24/7/365.

Can you imagine living nearby . . . the constant noise,

the heat, and the smell.

An older teenager stood by me a couple of months ago when we were there. We were both looking down at the pipe work and coal chute from the train. He said he hoped he didn't see any dead bodies.

I said to him: "Dude, you have no idea."

He was being a bit of an a$$ or he really had no clue.

There are the ghosts of a whole lot of men who gave their all among those smelters.