After the good rest at Hancock, we started out early and fresh. We continued on the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail for about 22 miles before we transferred to the C&O Canal Towpath for another 10 miles before lunch. Today we were again treated to beauty and great work on these rail trails.
On the way to the trail we passed the Rust and Found Antiques and Collectables Store. This will be a stop on our next journey through Hancock.
We also found these two vicious-looking, but friendly garden gnomes in a store window. I hope the cycling would not change us into two like these. :):) (Although she does have a flat tummy! C)
It was freezing even with the sunshine. We cycled through snowflakes on several occasions.
The West Maryland Rail Trail is a great way to see the C&O Canal and the Potomac River, as it runs above the canal and offers beautiful views of the River and surrounds. This is the Sideling Hill Creek Viaduct.
A major cutting along the way.
The rest stop at the western end if the Indigo Tunnel.
The Indigo Tunnel is currently closed to protect the bat population that make the tunnel their home. The trail bypass is the C&O Canal towpath.
Ben enjoying the paved surface as he goes through a road overpass.
Great signage and a concrete-surfaced walkway to connect the end of the section with the Towpath.
After about 23 miles of excellent surface the rail trail ends at a bridge accross the Potomac into West Virginia. It is my understanding that the State of West Virginia is still looking for funding to extend the rail trail on its side of the River. This rail trail is transforming the economy of the small towns along it and we strongly support the financing of any extension to this trail. Let's go, West Virginia!!!!
It is interesting to see the decay along the trail as well. Some of these properties must have been great to live in 40-50 years ago. This one still has a large patch of Daffodils in its front yard.
Spring is really beautiful along the Potomac.
The next highlight on the Towpath is the Paw Paw Tunnel. The signs all show that the towpath and tunnel are closed, but we found people using it and we did the same.
The valley leading to the tunnel
The Towpath is a sturdy wooden walkway.
The eastern end of the tunnel. Imagine having a couple of mules pulling your canal boat and they walk on the narrow path on the left and the boat follows in the canal.
A photo inside the tunnel.
The Western end of the Tunnel.
We made it.🥰🥰
Soon after the tunnel we stopped for lunch, having completed about 32 miles this morning. We felt good about our progress and the beautiful scenery we cycled through.
As we started out again, we noticed that the cable to Christine's deraileur has come loose and we called the bike shop in Cumberland for help. 30 minutes later we were in a shuttle travelling the last 25 miles to Cumberland. Although unhappy that we could not cycle this last section of the Towpath, we were also happy. The wind changed direction and it became very cold.
The repair took 15 minutes in the bike shop and we cycled over to the RAMADA hotel in Cumberland for the next two evenings. We rather enjoyed the warm bed, shower and pizza and preferred that above a cold night in a tent.
I love your posts! The words and photos are great. My favorite photo so far is the terrapins sunning on a log, although the "vicious gnomes" photo is a close second!
ReplyDeleteOur prayers continue for you as you continue on the road ahead. Blessings, Jim (Burd) Harris