014: Day 18, April 26, 2021:Ohiopyle to Dravo Cemetry Camp Ground: 53 miles (m260.5)

Today was a great day all around. We saw so many stunning views and the trail is in excellent condition. We noted this wall hanging at the Bed and Breakfast and it is so appropriate to our journey so far.  We left Ohiopyle early morning and immediately crosssed two beautiful tresles with great views of the Youghiogheny River. Ohiopyle is certainly growing based on tourism demand. 

The Trail provides a wealth of geology information. The area had a lot of development based on coal and the rock face above shows an exposed coal seam at the top. Even this trail that we enjoy so much is an extension of the Western Maryland Railway line from Cumberland to Connelsville, PA, specifically built to transport coal. 

It was a beautiful Spring day, sunny and cold in the morning and warming up nicely towards evening. 

The flowers and waterfalls are beautiful. Some of the slopes are white with mostly Trillium flowers and then you see patches of different blue and purple flowers. 

Before Connelsville the Sheepskin Trail veers off to Dunbar PA. There are plans to lengthen this Trail via Uniontown to Morgantown, West Virginia and then link up to Parkersburg. Great initiative and the trail users are waiting to use this trail as well. 

We found great murals in Connelsville,

also beautiful Dogwoods, 

and our future Bed and Breakfast next to the trail. 

We pushed on to get to West Newton PA for a late lunch and passed this abandoned rail bridge that the local community converted into a viewpoint of the You.. River. 

We passed the 100 mile marker, meaning that we were about 65% done with the Great Allegheny Passage. 

We passed mile Marker 101 and Ben had a brain wave. He wants to write a book on How to start Long-distance Cycling 101. Watch the press for further detail in about a year. 😄😄

It always amazes us how well-believing and trusting people can be. We passed this group of letter-boxes along the way. The Mailperson will deliver all mail at this one point and everybody will come and pick up their mail. 

Christine found a sign that she says applies to me from the day we complete this trip - Oh No.

Some of the people along the Trail go out of their way to make the Trail enjoyable for its users. 

We had lunch at Gary's Chuck Wagon in West Newton. A great place with many locals and a warm atmosphere. Christine's Hamburger and my Sausage Sandwich were great. But, too much. We took about half in a box for dinner. 

There are many old building in West Newton that require some TLC. However, 

West Newton also did a lot to improve the area around the old station. There is a Bike Shop and several restaurants in the area as well. 

The Trail continued to be beautiful and in great shape. We kept on progressing well and decided to cycle on and camp at Dravo Cemetery Camp Site. 

We passed an example of the bad environmental practices associated with coal mining. This waterfall is actually drainage from old, abandoned mines. The pollution continues. 

We reached our beautiful camp site at Dravo Cemetery. We were tired, but happy. We completed 53 miles today - the most to date. We went to bed early and I woke at around 11:00 pm when two Racoons were trying to get into our trailer. Rather than unpack, we put the trailer in the tent. The Racoons moved on. 

Originally, Christine was so worried about the tent size and weight, In one night two Racoons proved that we did right to have a larger tent. Imagine having to sit up all night, chasing Racoons. Not for me, Madam.😴😴😴