Day 57 Leesburg VA to Reston VA

Stats: mileage: 20 leisurely; total mileage: 2526

Tim and Katie joined us in Leesburg last night. We tried a flight of beer at the Tuscarora Mill followed by dinner at the Doner Bistro. After breakfast this morning we headed down the final rail trail, the Washington and Old Dominion and our last day of the Retirement Extravaganza.
While it was fun to meet and ride with new and different people across the country, it was very special to ride with people we know.
Tim's friend and colleague John joined us from Leesburg to Herndon. The W&OD was an excellent final lap of the journey
We started in Troutdale at a general store and bakery and here we are towards the end at the bakery table at the Herndon Farmers' Market.
Paul never missed the opportunity to sample baked goods along the road. Today was no different.
Tim, our guest narrator, was also the official greeter as we turned onto their street.
We've never been sprayed with champagne and, of course we have never attempted nor finished a cross country bike ride.
This is it!!!! Hard to believe that the ending would be more difficult than the beginning! It is not a trip that I would have chosen to make, but it has been a dream of Paul's and as "support staff" I pedaled along. We are overwhelmed at our accomplishment. Thanks for coming on this ride with us. Way cool. XO

Day 56 Brunswick MD to Leesburg VA

Stats: mileage: 28; climb: the towpath is still flat; total mileage: 2508

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.

Day 55 Williamsport MD to Brunswick MD

Stats: mileage 46; hills in and out of the river valley and tow path flat; total mileage: 2480

The rain that fell over night finally stopped just before we were ready to leave. Just south of Williamsport, there is a detour around a section of the canal called the Slackwater. We headed out over hill and dale to avoid the closed section of the C & O. So once again, I had the opportunity to share the stylin' safety vest one last time. And I am certain this guy thought that I was NUTS!
Once we were back on the trail, we enjoyed the quiet of off road riding.
The C & O has volunteers who work with the Park Service. They promise 40 hours a year and provide a friendly face and help if needed along the trail. We had an enjoyable visit with Cindy and Ed.
As lunch time approached, we decided to head over the bridge and go into West Virginia for the third time. We had lunch in Sheperdstown at a shop with a bakery. We were joined by Eric, a young man we had met along the trail yesterday. You can tell by Paul's smile that the bakery goody was yummy.
Then we went in search of a postcard from West Virginia. We found McHurley's General Store. They had all sorts of stuff including the Smoking Buffalo. I liked this buffalo a lot more than the Dead/Decaying Buffalo of Montana. And I managed to get a postcard.
This area is rich in Civil War history. This aqueduct is one of many along the C& O. You can see where the water of the canal was. And of course, just north of here was the site of the bloodiest day in American history.
This is one of many caves along the far side of the canal. Local lore says that women and children hid in these caves during various battles along this section the Potomac River.
What goes around, comes around and here we are in Harpers Ferry. When we left on this adventure, we pedaled along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Now we are almost finished and this is where Lewis outfitted their expedition.
The C & O Canal is on the Maryland side of the Potomac and Harpers Ferry is across the river in West Virginia. There is a circular stairway to a footbridge that is a former railroad crossing. In addition to being a way for people to go back and forth, it is also the Appalachian Trail. From the footbridge, there is a perfect picture taking spot for trains going in and out of the tunnel. Although he waited over an hour, Paul did not get the opportunity to take the perfect picture today.
So we set off for the last seven miles of the day to reach Brunswick. The ride along this part of the trail was as enjoyable as the beginning of the day. The sky did look threatening but it never rained and we remained dry.

Day 54 Little Orleans MD to Williamsport MD

Stats: mileage 45; climb.....what climb?; total mileage 2434

What a great day! The owner of the Little Orleans Lodge is a lot like Paul, he doesn't sleep much either. So early this morning-6:15-ish, Steve took Paul up to Point Look Out. Steve promised Paul a view and it was quite a view. From this vantage pint, Paul could see the Potomac and the mountains that the canal had manged to avoid.
All along the the C & O are hiker/biker camp sites. Each site has a pump among its amenities. Even though we are staying inside every night, Paul has not lost his touch.
The Potomac continues its trip to the Chesapeake and is a joy to watch.
About 10 miles beyond Little Orleans, we left the C & O and went on the Western Maryland Rail Trail.
This rail trail is 23 miles of paved pleasure on the former Western Maryland Railroad.
However, there are connector bridges between the two trails and we left the WMRT to rejoin the C & O to see some of the history along the canal.
These limekilns at the Round Top Cement Works produced tons of cement including some that was used to build the Washington Monument.
This formation is called the Devil's Eyebrow. It is a geological formation called an anticline. The softer stone in the arch has eroded away leaving this shallow cave-like structure.
Three miles later we were in Hancock. When in Hancock there are two "must do" places for us. One is the C & O Bicycle Shop. There Paul can peruse the bike goodies and there is always the opportunity to swap stories.
The second spot is Weaver's. Finally Paul got some pie and frosting!
Ten miles to the east of Hancock, the Western Maryland Rail Trail ends and we were back on the C & O. Near mile 108, locks 47-50 are one right after the other. This quick drop in elevation required this quick succession of locks and allowed the canal company to cut though a neck of land.
Upstream from Dam #5, the canal used the river because of the rock face along the river's edge.
This Dam # 5. During the Civil War, the Confederate Army tried to blow it up but were unsuccessful. The dam creates a large lake which kept a ready supply of water for the canal system. Even today, it helps with flood control.
At mile 100, the Conococheague Aqueduct appears. And yes, I spelled it right and it really is a name that can be pronounced! It is missing one side which simply blew out one day. Unfortunately there was a boat in the aqueduct at the time.Mile 100 is also where Williamsport is. So our day on the canal ended.....and after we got to the motel, it rained!

Strictly Trains

Hi and bye all.I hope this is a fitting end to this journey,a caboose in Herndon VA by the side of the WO&D rail trail on 8/26/10.
Thanks to all who followed us on this wonderful ride, we looked forward to all your comments. Thanks to Chris who provided all the information on the engines and railroads we photographed along the way. And a big thank you to God for keeping us safe and giving us the best weather possible .
I hit paydirt today 8/25. While riding between Brunswick MD and Point of Rocks the CSX was running coal, stone,and mixed freight. The light was a bit overcast but I managed not to get run over as I hustled up the bank. Tomorrow will be the last day of this odyssey,so check back for the finale.




This is the Western Maryland excursion train coming into Frostburg MD,and being turned for the return to Cumberland MD. Lots of smoke ,steam and noise!



back in West Newton ,again in the early morning, some action before the sun came up
This line runs through the center of these little towns. Must be a nightmare for the enginners.

High atop the Salisbury Viaduct this came into view. A long shot of the pusher on the end of a auto train.

This was the head end,again from the Viaduct.
Early Morning shot of lite power drifting thru Ohiopyle

No action today ,8/14,so this will have to do. A display at the side of the K-gap trail outside of Mt.Vernon Ohio. Very well maintained, along with the trail it is sided by. Only a couple of more days till we are in CSXT territory big time.



We're in Marion Ohio ,its Aug.12th and I don't know where to stand ,there are so many lines crossing every which way in this city.I was waiting at one crossing when I heard this double stack train approaching at another crossing down the road. So I ran down and just got this .
Utlx has a contract shop here in town, lots of repair work going on to their fleet.

You won't believe how I got these pictures. We were heading out of Delphos Ohio in the pouring rain when Jane said" I hear a whistle, turn around",so we did, rode back into town,down a gravel road ,hopped off the bike and fired away. So who is the rail buff in the family now? Chris, lets hear the story behind this line.





This was a perfect meet on 8/10 outside of Van Wert Ohio. I waited about 5 minutes in 106 degree temperature,but both trains passed by ,the NS taking the siding.I think both enginners thought we were crazy ,they leaned on the horn as if to say get out of the heat !
But hey, its something to pass the day .
somewhere in Wisconsin we were approaching a crossing. I was looking left,this was coming from the right. Jane screamed stop and I think she somehow dumped it. Just a local going to switch a plant,but something different nevertheless.


And who knows what this is?
Coming through Grand Rapids Michigan we were held up at the crossing by this . The middle unit ,2652,looks to be ex-Conrail.
Just like at Port Reading NJ, only double. And now we are in CP territory. I almost got a Soo engine too but didn't have time to get out the camera.
In St.Paul, where we briefly stopped, the yard crew added another sleeper ,so fast that the train was still coming to a stop when they switched onto the track. I suppose Amtrak wanted to make up some of the 4 hours this was running behind schedule!
This yellow engine was also in Williston. Any ideas as to why?
In Williston ND,the station parking lot is being redone. Perched next to the road is this Mikado,a gift to the citizens of Williston from the railroad. Wouldn't you love to get one for a gift?

Here's what we will be boarding tomorrow, the famed "Empire Builder",for our ride across North Dakota and MN.


Help us out here Chris, couldn't get close enough to id these units,it appears to be a picture of a buffalo on the side. Parked on a siding in Bainville Montana.
Saw this on the point on July 27Whats this, NS power out west. Yes indeed, saw them in the town of Oswego Montana waiting for a eastbound trailvan . Can't seem to get away from the black cloud!
The next few shots are a early morning crew change in Glasgow MT. They wasted no time , in and out of the station in under 5 minutes, can't tie up the main out here . too much going on,all from 7/25



Here's a speeder in front of the Malta Amtrak station,and some real foreign power! 7/23



Here's another mystery engine for someone to identify. It was in the town of Harlem Montana , on a side track off the main. These four are from 7/22

















7/21 , Finally,something different! That was a
fast moving local with 5 cars,just managed to stop the bike and turn on the camera.































Shots from 7/20. Most of the day the High Line was far away from Rt.2,but when it was close I got the shot. The "Empire Builder " was running with Amtrak engines on the point,unlike the first time we saw it. Anyone know why ?
I had had the wrong setting on the camera for this shot, hence the bluish cast. These trains are moving fast,no time to set up when you are biking along and see one in the rear view mirror.


























Here's 3 more from 7/19.I was told that on the average 43 trains run on the High Line on any given day. We also saw a track inspection truck clipping along. Its a busy section of railroad.


We are thick into the High Line territory today. It seems the trains are coming every 15 minutes. One great thing is if you don't like the head end shot, just wait till the pusher shows up and you get another chance! Click on the pic of the train on the trestle and you can see it snaking off into the distance, very cool






While biking along today I always glance in my mirror to see whats coming up on us. I saw the ditch lights, but no containers,and this is what shot past. The "Empire Builder" the train we have reservations on for the end of the month to get us across North Dakota and Minnesota.







We will be starting riding next to the High Line today, a BNSF main that will see us clear across Montana. I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of power in the next week or so,but nothing will match the backgrounds we saw in the Columbia Gorge. Here are a few shots from there to reminisce .
The back to back was a local switching a paper plant in Columbia Falls at 6am. They were working between trains on the main so there was no wasted motion.
The 1639 was in Orofino ID, at a small yard connected to a paper plant. Don't know its origin or present road,perhaps Cris can enlighten us.Our GPS says its the Camas Prairie,but I think that's long gone. Anyhow, we should be seeing lots of trains starting today,and if I can spare a minute from pedaling along I'll see what I can do.