Wherever that stalled low front was dumping rain, it wasn't on us. Sometimes it was cloudy and other moments the sun was shining. After a screaming downhill from the motel to the trail, we crossed paths with TeamDiz again. It was a Comotion convention. They too were pedaling from Portland to Washington, DC. I know that our trip was quite an adventure, but three kids and camping made their trip an odyssey.
We were soon in Point of Rocks. It is an area of big fights between the railroad and the canal. The railroad lost the fight and they had to build two tunnels while the canal got the space closer to the river. Paul did some fine train watching here.
Today we went over two aqueducts that moved canal boats over a stream and a river. The Catoctin Aqueduct is being restored to its former beauty. That elliptical arch on the center contributed to its demise, but modern engineering will prevent it from happening again.
The Monocacy Aqueduct crossed over the Monocacy River. As you can see there are seven arches to this recently restored aqueduct. As you cross over, you can see the rope wear marks in the railing. In 1972, this aqueduct was underwater as the Monocacy and Potomac Rivers flooded.
Today we almost had our first injury of the trip, but lucky for Paul, he was wearing his helmet. A paw-paw came hurtling out of a tree and beaned him. It was quite a surprise! Those little, light green things are paw-paws. It's always something!
Along the way there was water in the canal. Some places it was clear and scenic and other places the duckweed was prolific.
This enormous silver maple is at Lock 26 (we've come a long way since Lock 75). It is also the point where we reached 2500 miles of pedaling!!!!!!! Hard to believe!
At Whites Ferry we had to leave the C & O Canal. We have traveled about 150 miles of this trail and enjoyed it as much as the first time we pedaled it. Thank you Justice William O. Douglas for your foresight.
We hopped (really rolled) on to the ferry for a quick ride across the Potomac. At $1.00 for the ride, it's one of the best bargains around.
We are now in Virginia our 14th and final state on this cross country journey. It's exciting and almost sad, but it's not quite over.
"Pickin up paw-paws, put 'em in the basket..." I always wondered what they were!!! YOu have had such an amazing journey...I really am going to miss all the lunch conversations about it..:)
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting Paw Paw, WV around 1990 or so (yes, on a railfan trip!), I always thought it was a strange name for a town, and I had no idea where it came from, or that there was even such a thing as a paw-paw.....(and I am fairly well-traveled)
ReplyDeleteThank You, Jane, for clearing this up for me! Boy, it's true, you learn something new every day........!
.....way down yonder in the paw-paw patch." I cant wait for this trip to be over. My butt is sore from sitting at this computer so much.
ReplyDeleteIt’s 6:30 in the morning on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteOne last day to ride.
On to Reston
Fifty-seven days.
The dream is completed.
After the last mile,
You’ll both get off the bike,
and hug,
and cry,
and say, “we made it”
Congratulations!