015: Day 19, April 27: Dravo Cemetery Camp site to North Fayette, PA - 46 miles (m306.5)

We said goodbye slowly to the river view at Dravo Cemetery Camp Site. After the Raccoons last night, I woke up with both legs on the wrong side of bed. Luckily we have been married for more than 38 years and Christine gave me some space. We packed and left our camp at around 09:00am.  

We saw a trail closure sign when we passed West Newton yesterday. However, everyone we asked said the Trail is open for use. So,  we cycled on. 

This morning we met up with several construction crews in the three miles to Boston. What was interesting is the small paver set up specifically to place the crushed Limestone surface on the trail. All work crews were very accommodating and allowed us to walk past their respective job sites. 

However, the about three miles of trail took us more than two hours to negotiate. 

We had time to look around as well and I took a picture of this trail side house. The recliner on the porch is facing the trail and the tag/number plate is telling us all who lives here. I am certain she is watching over the trail users and stands ready to assist, if required. 

We had a short stop in Boston when Christine took a wood splinter from her toe. The walking made the pain worse and it had to come out. 

We passed Mckeesport soon thereafter and set our sights on the section to Pittsburgh.

We crossed the Riverton Bridge without problem. The wind began to pick up and this made the 17 miles to Pittsburgh slow and tiring. 

This section of the trail is paved. You can see the abandoned spaces on the right and the Trail on the left under the dropoff.

The trail on the right.

The other part of this Blue Bridge showing the many churches in the neighborhood across the Monongahela River. 

The last part of the Trail goes through park land that is prone to flooding. We enjoyed the shade.

We crossed the Monongahela River again at the Hot Metal Bridge and joined the Three Rivers Heritage Trail to Point State Park. We did a bit of city street cycling as well and were happy to have some peace and quiet in the Park. 

We had to ask somebody to take a photo of us as well.

We were ravenous and stopped at the Burgatory for a late lunch. Great food and large servings. We again took half of our food with us for dinner. 

We cycled from Pittsburgh to Coraopolis along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. We passed an old prison. Seems like it could have been a notorious place when it was still in use. 

Immediately after the prison, we were confronted with this dilemma. We were on the correct route and had to get on the highest road to cross the Ohio River to Coraopolis. 

We pushed a bit throught Brighton Heights. This is an old suburb with beautiful homes. At last we reached the Mckees Rock Bridge. 

This is a 2,2 mile long bridge, more than 100 feet high and it has a very narrow pedestrian walkway. We thoroughly enjoyed the views, but it was a bit scary. 

After a few miles of narrow streets we had a couple of miles of wide shoulders before we came to the Montour Trail, a 46-mile long rail trail that makes a wide circle through outer Pittsburgh. 

Mile 0 of the Montour Trail.

Mile 1 looks even better.

We crossed a small stream at around mile 4.

When we reached mile 5, we had enough. We completed 46 miles today, inclusive of all the delays at the construction sites and through Pittsburgh. We are satisfied again, but more tired than we were last night. 

Camp sites are difficult to find along the trails we cycled today. We booked into a hotel and shall see what tomorrow brings.