004: Day 5, April 13: North Baltimore to College Park, Maryland (52 miles- m109.4)

Tuesday, April 13, was a long day. We cycled about 52 miles to College Park Maryland. We wanted to be close to Washington DC so that we should have an easy day in DC on Thursday. Well, it turned out to be tiring as well, so tiring that I completed this blog two days later in the welcoming home of Marius and Hilda. 

We were very happy as we started out, as the overnight rain stopped just after sunrise and did not affect us during the day. After a couple of miles we left the US40 South and entered the neighbourhoods of Baltimore. 

We saw a lot of decay, but were heartened with all the renewal that is going on. We were especially happy with the friendliness we saw and experienced all around. 

We were cycling past these apartments, all in the process of renovation when Christine heard a voice from one of them. The person must have been speaking to a friend inside the apartment; "Hey...., come and look. this must remind you of your cycling trip to Maine."  

We also appreciated the information an oldish man gave us as we cycled past a row of three churches where one is under renovation. It is a pity that you never have sufficient time to see everything.   

Soon we were on the Jones Rail Trail that took us from the Northern suburbs to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. This is a good urban trail and congrats to the Baltimore City for developing this trail in a very confined space. 

We saw this abandoned bicycle on the trail and were silently wondering if this was a cyclist on a similar trip that decided he had enough. :):):) 

We were too early at the Inner Harbor to enjoy a coffee and a Bagel, but the flowers were open in all their splendour. 

We had such great experiences on all the rail trails. We cannot say the same about the Gwyn Falls Trail. It is such a beautiful trail all along the waterfront south of the Inner Harbor, but it requires some management. We came across unexpected trail closures at the beginning and soon after the end of the trail. Also, there is a need for more regular trail maintenance.

However, the trail is beautiful with amazing views of the Baltimore skyline

And for all of us that are used to more theft, please see these rails lying on a deserted part of the trail. They would "disappear" overnight in some countries. 

After some road cycling we reached the absolutely beautiful BWI-trail around the Baltimore-Washington International Airport. We were treated to a beautiful surface and scenery. 

Following the BWI-Trail we turned south to DC on the BW&A Road. This road is built on the abandoned route of the BW&Annapolis Railroad. After about 4 miles the road ended and the BW&A rail trail commenced on the same abandoned route. This trail is very popular and beautiful. 

 The Trail has rather big gap across the Patuxent River where the original rail bridge needs to be replaced with a trail bridge. The DOT-website shows that the new 550 foot long bridge is under design with construction to commence in 2020/21. 

We did not mind the detour through Crofton Village. This is a quiet and restful community with beautiful homes and apartments. However, completion of the connecting bridge would certainly enhance the already amazing appeal of the BW&A rail trail. 

We ended our day at a hotel in College Park and read our messages. The top one was from our daughter, Louise, who shared a photo of her shepherd's pie. This made us very hungry, but we were too tired to think of anything but a hot shower and bed.