008: Day 11, Monday April 19, 2021: Harper's Ferry to Williamsport MD

Following our most relaxing day with friends in Brunswick on Sunday, we had a wonderful sunset at our camp site, Huckleberry Hill, yesterday.

We got up quite early and were on our bikes at around 09:00 am. Something about getting up in the mornings begs explanation. 

We cannot roll out of our beds as usual, we have to get up from the ground as well. Christine and I have different grunts and groans depending on what body part(s) hurt(s) the most. She usually laughs at my stumbly crawl out of the tent as well. 

After this process we usually read a Bible verse, thank God for good night's rest and ask Him to protect us during the day. 

Breakfast now is usually a half bagel plastered with real CRUNCHY Peanut Butter each, something to drink and then we start moving faster. Louise, thanks for your Green Bag - Mom and I are always discussing who should carry it - probably because of the content. 

We maintained a good pace during the morning and slowed down as the afternoon wore on. We still managed 39 miles for the day - a great effort for us, espacially for the out of shape retiree. We passed many beautiful spots and we share some of these with you all below.

Christine taking pictures if flowers - she has such a good knowledge of plants and it is a pleasure to have someone next to you that does not have to go to Google all the time. :):):)  (Haha, this was one I was going to check on Google! c)

Antietam Creek Viaduct. The engineer in me always want to show how our predecessors solved the problem of crossing a river with a canal. Where you see the cycle path would be filled with water and the walkway would be used by the horses towing the canal boats up and down the canal.

The lock at Sheperdstown with the modern road bridge accross the Potomac. 

At Taylor's Landing (mile 81), close to Sharpsburg, we stopped at this wonderful store, Reels and Wheels. The owner, Jerry Heil, told us that the store is actually still closed. However, he helped us with water and threw in a couple of apples as well. We sat down and had the most wonderful chat about the changes along the river and how he developed his store. He used to be a stone mason for the Park Service and is now making bird houses, benches and so many more items for sale during the season. He took us into his store and we loved the smell of wood and were surprised at the variety of items on sale. If we had room on our bicycles, we would have taken a couple of items. Should anyone wish to shop along the canal, this is the place to start. Thanks, Jerry for your friendliness and openness. 

Dam 4 is always an impressive sight. These dams were built to keep the canal filled with water. 

Dam 4 also provided for a section where the canal boats would ply the dam and there would be a narrow walkway for the tow horses. This trail section, also known as the Big Slackwater and usually closed due to high water levels, recently received an upgrade and is now open for cycling and pedestrians. 

What a wonderful place to be. We took much longer to pass through here just to try to drink in the beauty and say thank you to the Park Service for using tax Dollars so wisely. 

Look at the rock the canal builders cut through to make this a reality.

In some places the Towpath runs through a sea of Bluebells. So beautiful and special. 

Crossing the I-81 before Williamsport safely.

Cycling past Williamsport and a section of working canal where canal rides are offered through the season.

We set up our tent among the bluebells at Jordan Junction just upstream of Williamsport. 

We met so many interesting people these last two days and I wish to mention some. - A couple at Huckleberry Point that were already at the camp site. When we got some strange advice on the road ahead, the husband came over to correct the advice. He introduced himself as Peanutbutter and his wife as Jelly. They seem to enjoy camping and have moved up and down the Towpath and other routes several times.  
- Andy Crow is a young Computer Tech originally from York, Pennsylvania, who is cycling to Cumberland to try out longer cycling tours. 

- Greg Pottorff and Karen Winterhalter have cycled so many miles on a tandem together, here in the USA and elsewhere in the world. Their current trip started in Texas, took a turn in DC and they are now heading home to Kansas.

- Bryce, a young man that started hiking from Cape Henlopen to Lincoln Nebraska. His feet were starting to hurt, so he bought a bike and is still aiming for Nebraska.

Jerry Heil I already mentioned above.

Although very tired, we went to bed contented and at peace. This is a good World that the Lord has made.