Chesapeake and Ohio National Historic Park - part 2

 

Day 7:  Williamsport, MD to Bald Eagle Island Hiker/Biker Campsite mm 50

 This video clip will give you an idea of  trail conditions at the time of our ride.  The wind event yesterday brought down numerous trees and branches and the trail is littered with blow downs.  Ride awhile and then climb over another tree.  Repeat.

This bike seemed less heavy a few trees ago

Near Big Slackwater the trail gets very narrow and the Park Service spent a lot of capital building a trail right up against the bluff and in some places even over the river.  It is a clear and sunny day for riding.  There are small caves in the bluff to explore.  Click on the video to get a feel for the landscape.

This is a welcome use of my tax dollars

Jeff has contacted an old friend whom he hasn't seen in years.  He lives just a few hundred yards off the trail and we plan a quick visit.  He shows us around his rustic cabin and cooks up his special barbeque ribs for a lunchtime feast.  He offers frozen chocolate covered cherries soaked in rum for dessert.  After this feast I think maneuvering around all the fallen trees is going to be even more challenging.

Thanks, Mike!

Eagle Island Campsite is lovely.  The trees are spring green and there is a nice flat spot for our three tents.  There are a few other campers sharing the site, but its a very quiet place.  EXCEPT FOR THE TRAINS!

Day 8:  Eagle Island Campground to Great Falls, Maryland - mile marker 14 to end the trip.

Today is our last day of riding and it is another sunny and beautiful day.  April is certainly a nice time to be outside enjoying God's creation.  

hooded merganser with chicks 

The mighty Potomac is calm here

The ride to Great Falls is about only 36 miles which is good because we all need to drive home today.  Annie and Steve have to drive all the way to Massachusetts so we just ride steadily toward the end point.  We stop at White's Ferry for a quick snack break.  White's Ferry has operated for more than 200 years and has been the only working ferry on the Potomac for a long time.  It ceased operation in December 2020 due to a legal dispute with the landowner of the Virginia side.  

Look at those flood marks!  

Our trip ends here at Great Falls, Maryland.   After a quick photography session at the falls we all go our separate ways to travel back to work and home.  This was such a beautiful and rewarding trip and after the isolation of the pandemic it felt like a particularly generous blessing to spend time with friends and family.  We did take a final group shot by the falls, but I can't seem to locate that picture.  I will post it later in an update if I do.