018: D23:Jewett to Massillon OH:55.7 miles (111.6m)

Today we started with a rail trail, the 11 mile long Conotton Trail from Jewett to Bowerston. Thanks again to Bobbie and Paul Prevot for their hospitality - Jewett is a perfect place to start the Trail and Brightside Junction is the perfect place for a snack, hot takeaways and/or a coffee.

The Trail has several different covered bridges and we found this one in the town limits of Jewett. 

This is a great paved trail with a good surface. Earlier comments complained about bad patches of pavement. These seem to have been repaired. 

A stunning pond where we saw our first Bald Eagle of the trip. It is the two little white spots in the tree in the middle if the to photo. 

There are also several great picnic spots along the way. It seems as if the three towns along the trail, Jewett, Scio and Bowerston, look after this trail well. It could also be the massive investments in fracking - we saw another liquified gas plant at Scio - that infused funds into the local economies.

Another covered bridge that we liked. 

And the view from yet another covered bridge.

Soon after Scio we cycled past this perfect Beaver pond - and we saw a Beaver swimming away from us. I was very happy, as it was the first Beaver I saw in the wild

Just before Bowerston we passed several more ponds. We particularly liked this one and were wondering how many different birds the owners of the house on the far side identified over the years. 

From Bowerston we cycled about 18 miles on the road, mostly Route 212. The drivers were very accommodating and we enjoyed the views over Atwood Dam along the way. 

Of course, we had to stop for lunch at Atwood Dari Bar. The Coney Dog, Sauerkraut Dog and the ice cream were great. This is a real social place and we met up with a local farmer who gave us detailed directions and Jenny, a construction plant operator. I tell you, it was very difficult to get away from all the friendly people. 

After the road cycling, we got onto the 6.5 mile long Zoar canal Towpath Trail. We immediately relaxed among the trees and along the Tuscarawas River. The next photos speak for themselves.

A short boardwalk around an abandoned bridge abutment. 

Of course, I had to take a photo of one of the several locks along the way.

The Towpath trail ended at this bridge across a highway. The highway must have taken the area where the canal went through. We continued on a new trail on the left side of the road.

And arrived at Fort Laurens. What a beautiful area and it has some great picnic spots and camp sites. 

On leaving Fort Laurens, we started on the Ohio-Erie Canal Towpath Trail. We picked it up at this sign and cycled down the sidewalk into and through Bolivar. 

Outside Bolivar the trail is under improvement with new boardwalks along the Tuscarawas River. 

We cycled past the construction area and came to the current start to the trail, this bridge accross the River. 

Soon after leaving the built-up area we stopped next to a corn field for a snack of fresh fruit and carrots. Great ride and great company. At this point we also met Don and Jen, a couple whom we shall meet again. 

A new tunnel under an existing road.

This towpath is also beautiful. We are so blessed.

Soon we passed the station of Navarre. We were doing great and decided to push on to Massillon and camp there.

We met up with Don and Jen again and they gave us some much needed water at the John Glenn Grove Trailhead. The chatting continued and two guys also stopped to find out where we are going. They were also chatting away and when they left, they gave us some chewy bars for the road. 

People are so friendly!!!!

We did not see much of Massillon. These are two shots along the Tuscarawas River.

And of our camp site along the river. 

We had a wonderful day and completed 55.7 miles today, our longest so far. We felt great but was asleep very quickly. 

Thank you God for your mercies and blessings.