KenSwinson.com

After 2 days of mountaineering, I arrived at the trail head for the C&O bike/hike trail in Cumberland, MD.

Nestled in the mountains along the Potomac river, Cumberland is a gorgeous little city.

With rich history and architecture

The C&O canal trail is an old tow path from long ago when a mule pulled boats through a canal for transportation.  It is part of our national parks.

Canal on left, Potomac river on right.

The trail is relatively flat, and motor vehicles are prohibited…a relief for a weary road warrior.

the park offers campsites and water pumps and outhouses along the trail.

Along the canal, there are locks with a small white house for the lock’s operator

(i don’t like riding a bike through tunnels…but it’s better than going OVER mountains)

A thunderstorm came as I went through the Paw Paw tunnel

after the thunderstorm, the weather went from the 80s, to the 50s.  (30s at night)

It’s amazing that men dug this 184mile canal before bulldozers.

I’m prepared for the cold weather, but the closer I got to Washington, the faster I pedaled…stopping less and less to paint and sketch.

I’m so close to Fairfax, where my sister lives, and I can rest my aching legs, and take a hot bath.

Only 1 or 2 days to go!!!