Hidden under one of the most picturesque small towns in our area, the town of Mauch Chunk was a coal mining and railroad nexus back in the 19th century. To accommodate the thriving industry, the PA Commission of Canals redirected a part of the Lehigh River under the town. In 1912, a Native American, Jim Thorpe became an Olympic gold medalist so the family of his sweetheart would allow him to marry her. A true competitor and physical phenom, he also kinda broke records that still stand. He settled and died in Mauch Chunk, where his remains… remain. Later, the town merged and took his name. Despite the best efforts of his sons and extended family, Jim Thorpe’s remains were legally retained by the county to support tourism instead of returned to his native lands in Oklahoma, part of the Sac and Fox Nation, as was established by America’s promise to Native Americans. Oh, and then there was the Irish coal mining gang, the Molly McGuires, who were based out of this town and caused all kinds of havoc for coal mining barons. Today, the shops, the 162 miles of connected bike trails, rafting on the Lehigh! This is the kinda town we love to explore! But first, this tunnel…