I'm done!!!!!

I'm finished!!! I started out at 6 40 because I wanted to make sure I would be on time to meet Mary Ellen at 11 in Cabin John. It took me about 30 min to get back to the ferry and I was rolling on the trail at 7 15. It was only 25 miles on the trail so I took some pictures and stopped often to munch some trail mix. There was hardly anyone on the trail. But that changed dramatically when I got to Great Falls. Although it was only about 10 in the morning, the tourists were already out and I had to be careful not to hit anyone. I didn't stop  to look because I knew ME and I wanted to stop on the way back to the campgrounds. I got to the point where I get off the canal at 10 30 and realized there was no way across two major highways to get to our meeting point as Google had predicted. A quick call to ME took care of everything. She stopped at a firehouse and asked directions. She found me in 10 minutes. After a quick got dog at great falls, we looked around great falls for 2 hrs then we hit the road. Now we are taking a break from the driving at the ceabby pig in Cumberland. Best seafood I ever had. Going to look  in the little shops then drive on. It's only an hr to the campgrounds. I expect to sleep well tonight. This was an exceptional trip. Now I have to decide where I will head next. 

Forgot this one.

Almost forgot to mention that the bike shop Re-Cycle in Leesburg has a table outside their shop with tools to use and free oil and air to everyone. What a nice gesture.

Short day.

This is the first day i've had to pee in the woods! I had coffee, milk and OJ for breakfast. Then i met keith and britta, who had been camping 3miles out, for breakfast. I had another cup of coffee while they ate breakfast. Too much liquid for the start of the day, i guess. After brrakfast, they took off right away because they wanted to get to DC before the presicted storm. I did some sightseeing and left about an hour after them. I had to carry my vuke and saddlebags back down those awful stairs at the end of the rr  bridge. Then i was on my way at 10 45. Rode on until 12 30 when i stopped and ate a bagel and crean cheese i had made a breakfast. Then ivpedal through to whites ferry and line up to get out. And who comes walking out of the grill at the ferry? Keith and britta. They has decided to cross into VA and take the old dominion trail to alexandria. I have to go back across the ferry tomorrow because i will meet Mary Ellen in Cabin John at 11. So, the 3 of us ride into leesburg and part company when i go to search for my motel. Leesburg has an awful lot of traffic but one major N-S route has a buffered bike lanr. Niiiiice! Find the motel and check in, shower, then head for historical district. Find the tourist bureau and who works therecbut a lady whose hometown is about 70 miles from dickenscied, germany. I've even ridden my bike through the town!!! We had a great chat.  Went to see a historical log cabin and walked aroynd sec. Of state george c. Matshall's home before riding back and eating enchiladas at a great tex-mex place called del rio. Leesburg is a lovely town but too much traffic. Now I'm just chillibg, writing postcards and watxhing mrs. Doubtfire on tv. Have to get an early start tomorrow. Have blogged this early on the entire trip! You kniw what sound i've hears the entire teip? Locusts and crickets. It's been so nice nit to hear traffic. Two great things about the C&O  trail.  Great camping areas alobg the way, mileage signs in miles and kilometers and you can overnifht in the old lockkeepers houses. (That's three. Sorry.)

Killer day

I am exhausted. We ate breakfast at 7 and were on the road at about 7 30. We stopped at Britta and Keith's campground but they weren't ready to go yetvso we took off. The first 10 miles were paved so that was a dream start. After that it was back to the puddles, mud, gravel and tree routes on the towpath.  My bike got so dirthyvagain today i had to wash it before i could take it into the motel room. Did that last night too. We got to mile 105 and there was a gigantic tree which had fallen across the trail. And I mean big. I had to take the saddlebags off and throw them over the log and try to push the bike around the routes. Pete, Sue and i all mafe it with no damage. We pedalled on to williamsport where I reported the fallen tree at the national Park SErvice, the we pedalled into town for an 11 pizza lunch. These towns are really attuned to bike tourism. We heard the the waitress was instructed to immediately bring a glass of water to any cyclist who came in. We talked with another cyclist there who had ridden along with orla and karen, the irish women, for awhile. He said he couldn't keep up. Meanwhile keith and britta wete always behind us. We ran into Brad and Bruce with serious tire problens. Pete was able to help them figure it out befire we keft them . the picture is a lovely portion of the ttail you uswd ro have to detour aeound until the built this terrace along to side of the Potomac by Big Slackwater. The concept reminds me a little of tourning piint park. We had to climb a serpentine to get up to the bridge over the river to Shepherdstown WVA for ice cream at about 3. Then we slogged back to the trail to continue to Harper's ferry. We finally arrived exhausted and found we had to carry backs and gear up the steps on a railroad trestle to get into town. Just what I needed!! We find the motel on the map and head in that direction. It was farther out than we thought so we called the motel and she sent us in another direction so we didn't have to ride a busy road. Problem was, the other way was 2 miles uphill! Yikes. So we grabbed a bite to eat in town and got into the motel at 8 15. I said my good-byes to Pete and Sue who are heading directly into DC tomorrow. We will definitely keep in touch. Keith and Britta texted. They are camping 3 miles out of town. We will meet tomorrow morning in Harper's ferry for breakfast. I will have a short day tomorrow so I will have time to sightsee with them before I take off. Man, am I pooped today. Did I mention that Brad and Bruce made it in to Harper's ferry the same time we did?

Mud and the Paw Paw Tunnel.

These are what my legs looked like on todays's ride. It was so muddy. I have nothing against mud per se, but i could picture myself wiping out and breaking various body parts then trying to crawl to the nearest farmhouse for help. But all went well in the mud dept. But let me start with a recap of yesterday. I forgot to mention that I met a guy from switzerland at the Continenyal Divide. He had come from chicago on a Bike Friday. They are great folding bikes. Also met a navy vet who bought a green house on Green St. And wants to turn it into a B&B. So, to start today, Keith and Britta had to take Keith's buke in for repairs so I started out ahead of the. About 10 miles out on this muddy, poorly surfaced trail I see a couple standing there who had been in the hotel with me. We start up a conversation and it turns out they are from -drum roll- Spencerport,NY!! yes, our own Spencerport. So we rode the whole day together after that. Turns out we have the same hotels tonight and tomorrow night.  

But before I ran into them a woman in an orange tank top passes me. I run into her again about two miles later scared to go any farther because some geese are on the trail. We vand together and go side by side with our bikes between us and the animals until they retreat into the water. Turns out she is Orla from Ireland, her friend Karen is up ahead, thet have come from San Fran in 43 days. Average 100 mi a day and only one day of rest. Wow. I had eaten a good breakfast and packed a bagel with cream cheese, so pete, sue and I didn't stop for lunch. At about 3  we stop at Bill's in Little Orleans for ice cream (We almost missed the sign and there's not much along the way now.) Pete is eating a fried baloney sandwich when Orla walks in. She had changed inner tube but it was slowly leaking. She needed a new tire. Just had to keep pumping air until she got to Hancock. About 10 mi before Hancock we pick up the paved Western MD Rail Trail. What a relief after all the mud, gravel and tree roots of the C&O Canal Path. Made it in, find the hotel and get a text from Keith that they have also arrived and are at Buddy Lou's. Pete and Sue didn't want to go back into town so they walked to restaurant across the St. I went back in and Orla and her friend Karen were also there. Karen had bought Orka a new tire and taken it 8 mi back to her. Those two had a wicked sense of humor. Both are PE teachers in Ireland. Had a great dinner of crabcake sandwich with Keith and Britta. No sittingoutside my room writing this and waiting for my laundry to get down. I didn't have anything clean after today's ride. Tomorrow breakfast at 7 then we will hit the trail. Keith and Britta want to ride with us. Saw so many deer today I lost count. Also saw turtles and my first snake. Oh my, I forgot the Paw Paw Tunnel. 3118 ft long. Have tobwalk it through with lights on and no sunglasses because tunnel and towoath are cut through the side of a mountain. Amazing feat of engineering. It was overcast again most of the day so it was pleasant riding weather-wise. All in all, another great day with great people to ride with. Oh, I also forgot the feogs. Lots of frogs.

Cumberland - what a great day.

This was a stupendous day. It started with half a bag of donuts and a cup of milk for breakfast.left the youth hostel at Ro kwood and soon ran into  the Genzlinger family,
Keith, Brom and Britta. The stared in Rockwood without breakfast too so we rode together the whole day.We stopped in megersdale for a good breakfast and commiserated about the uphill ride until we got to the eastern Continental Divide about 16 miles before Cumberland. No joke. It was all downhill after that. We picked up speed and often didn't have to pedal. There were some great tunnels and breath-taking scenery. Just love the wild flowers and the butterflies. Got into cumberland about 1:30. Brom had to leave to drive back to Philly. I parted ways and went into town. Keith and Britta rode farther. On the way to the hotel I found two great museums.which I visited. At the hotel I showered and went swimming before I got a great dinner at Ottaviana's. It made up for not eating lunch. Then I walked through town and ran into Said, the cyclist I met in ohiopyle the day before. I hope to run into the genzlingers tomorrow.now just chilling I the hotel before I conk out.

Tunnel!

Forgot to mention that I rode through Pinkerton tunnel today.

Falling Water

Yikes. So much grit  adhers to my sunscreen that I feel like an English muffin before I get into the shower. I feel so good afterwards. Last night I could not run the air off at the motel so I had to climb up on a fair and close the vent. Then I could sleep. Got up early and had a great breakfast at Ed's Diner before I headed down busy 119. It wasn't too bad. I beat the morning traffic. The weather was over ast again and there is so much foliage over the trail, it always stays cool. Saw several deer today and a Fawn yesterday. I had washed out my shirts and shirt last night and tied them to my sattlebads with my bungee to dry them as I rode. When I arrived at ohiopyle at 10:30 I saw that I had lost my shirt. I was NOT going back to look for it. Mary Ellen pulled in just as I did. We parked and used the visitor center bathrooms then looked around ohiopyle . it's a beautiful, historic little town which has learned to use the trail and the river to its touristic advantage. We went into the general store and ordered a sandwich and a hot dog at 11because we wanted to be in Falling g Water at 12. Lordy, it took them 30 min to make the food! The service was terrible. We had the sandwiches packed and drove quickly to Falling Water. It was breath- taking. The tour was great and we got lots of great pictures.I was ba k on the trail at 2:30and stopped next at a quiet little town called confluence. As I was looking in the historical society window, some guy came  by in a pick up and stopped to ask if I needed some help. I said I needed I e cream and he lead me to the only place in town!then it was on to rockwood, where I'm the only one in the whole youth hostel tonight. It's a quiet little town. Found a place next to the gas station where I got a pulled pork sandwich for supper and a pint of milk and donuts for breakfast. The trail goes up again. Tomorrow for the last day. It's not that it's much, but you always have to pedal. You can't coast at all. It was maybe 55 miles today. I hope I sleep well tonight. Thank God there's no air conditioning.

I'm on my way!

I'm on my way!

Two great days

The drive down was great. Overcast the whole way. Very pleasant to drive.we made a quick stop at Angola then at lunch Arb At Arby's in Erie. We turned East before Pittsburgh and ran into some serious mountains in the Laural Highlands. We learned not to trust the GPS. as we got closer to the campsite it sent us down to dirt roads with grades of about 35 degrees. On the one, a guy had to turn the car around for us to get us back up the hill. We finally got to the campsite and set up for the night. We cooked a great porkchop dinner and went to bed early. This morning Mary Ellen drove me to the Hot Teal Bridge where I started. We saw a flock of wild turkeys on the way to Pittsburgh. The day was overcast when I started. It was great because it wasn't too hot. Met a guy named Paul who rode over the bridge with me and helped me find the way. Everything was pages until mcKeesport, then stonedust. Sometimes almost Sandy. And it goes gradually up hill the whole way! It's not bad enough to make the ride difficult. It's just annoying because it looks like the trail will never end. I stopped in Boston and West Newton today. The path is line the whole way with historical markers.it's The area has such an interesting industrial history. And the path is shaded most of the way. On the left is the river and on the right the exposed stones of the mountains the railways blasted away. Met a lot of nice people, some of whom helped me with directions to the motel, which of course on a bust road. Tomorrow I went to leave early so I don't hit too much traffic when I head back into town. Man, I should sleep well tonight. It was 60 miles today. Tomorrow I will ride the 17 miles to ohiopyle where I will meet Mary Ellen and will will visit Frank Lloyd Wright's falling water before I continue to rockwood. I will sleep well tonight.
k

Everything's packed. (I think!)

So, I'm packed. It's going to be a lot of weight to drag along. I always try to pack the minimum, but still end up with too much. This would not be a ride for my bike buddy, Sandy. She's not keen on self-contained rides. But I'm looking at reasonably flat paths and no cars to contend with. The weather forecast is predicting a couple of storms during the week, but I see mostly heat and sunshine. I'm glad most of the trail is in shaded, rural areas. I've heard only good things about the trail. I want to make sure I put more air in my tires and I've got to remember to fill my water bottle. I have to be on the road at 7 to get to Mary Ellen's at 9 so we can be on the road shortly thereafter. This has been on my bucket list for awhile. I can soon cross this off and add something else. It will be a big change from the one-mile rides to work everyday. I've got to remember to find lots of photo ops and I have my trail book along to see what sightseeing adventures I can find. Harpers Ferry will be a definite stop. That might be something Mary Ellen would like to see, too. OK. I've got to get ready for bed. Cross your fingers that I don't meet a bear in one of the old RR tunnels. RIP, Lori. I will be thinking of you.

Everything's packed. (I think!)

So, I'm packed. It's going to be a lot of weight to drag along. I always try to pack the minimum, but still end up with too much. This would not be a ride for my bike buddy, Sandy. She's not keen on self-contained rides. But I'm looking at reasonably flat paths and no cars to contend with. The weather forecast is predicting a couple of storms during the week, but I see mostly heat and sunshine. I'm glad most of the trail is in shaded, rural areas. I've heard only good things about the trail. I want to make sure I put more air in my tires and I've got to remember to fill my water bottle. I have to be on the road at 7 to get to Mary Ellen's at 9 so we can be on the road shortly thereafter. This has been on my bucket list for awhile. I can soon cross this off and add something else. It will be a big change from the one-mile rides to work everyday. I've got to remember to find lots of photo ops and I have my trail book along to see what sightseeing adventures I can find. Harpers Ferry will be a definite stop. That might be something Mary Ellen would like to see, too. OK. I've got to get ready for bed. Cross your fingers that I don't meet a bear in one of the old RR tunnels. RIP, Lori. I will be thinking of you.

I'm doing the GAP!!!!!

So, it's finally going to be realized! I've been talking about riding the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal from Pittsburgh to DC for years. It's going to happen on Saturday. Mary Ellen is going to be camping in the area so I get to ride along to the Hot Metal Bridge in Pittsburgh where she's going to let me out on Sunday and I'm going to head to Connellsville for my first overnight. Monday we're going to meet up in Ohiopyle and visit Falling Water, the Frank Lloyd Wright house. There will be 6 overnights for me in 4 different states. You just know I'm going to be stopping a hundred times along the way for pictures, museums and other things I want to admire. My longest day will be about 65 miles, my shortest about 35. Since the GAP is an old railroad bed and the C&O Canal Trail uses the old towpath, it will all be off-road. I won't have to worry about the 18-wheelers on the A10 in Texas. It's car-free! I'll ride over to Mary Ellen's early Saturday and then we'll make the 5.5 hour drive. The weather is supposed to be hot with occasional thunderstorms. I'll have to remember to keep the water bottles full! Most of the time I will be posting from my phone, but I think I have it figured out now. Let's hope so!

Harnish and I are hanging

Harnish came over for supper because she volunteered to drive me to the airport at 3 a.m. We had grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We've been catching up on all the news while I finished the last bits of packing and cleaned up the kitchen. I think I'm good to go. If I don't have it now, I won't need it. Jutta mailed yesterday and said to make sure I bring a flashlight. Checked in online this morning but have to get my boarding passes at the airport. And wouldn't you know it, it started snowing and blowing like crazy this afternoon. I just want to get to JFK on time to make my overseas connection. No more snow tonight, please. I'm getting excited. I have to make sure I don't fall asleep at the airports and miss any connections. If I sleep on the flight to Dubai, I figure I can beat the jet lag. And I've got to remember to take my malaria pills. And turn my mobile data off. And use airplane mode in the plane. And I'll probably thing of a million other things. I hope I get a little sleep tonight.

Suitcases are packed.

I spent the morning spraying my clothing with insect repellent so that bugs won't bite through. One suitcase is full of kids' books which they needed at the orphanage and the other is half as heavy and filled with my clothes. I skyped with Jutta today. She says the hotel is fine and is 7 km from the orphanage. Peter and Dorothy, the couple who run the orphanage will pick us up at the hotel everyday and drive us back to the orphanage. I was wondering if we could walk or bike there but Jutta said we are not to go out by ourselves. She also said no shorts, which is fine, and pants made out of light, airy material. And, of course, I should only drink bottled water. I've gotten orders for other mementoes now. Let's see how many wishes I can fulfill. I'm really getting psyched. Harnish will stay overnight Tuesday and drive me to the airport at 3:30 a.m. Oh Lordy, it's going to be a long trip. I will have to make sure I don't fall asleep in any airports and miss a flight. I am excited to see what Kenya and the people are like. This will be a great experience.

On to Kenya

I'm off to a new adventure next week. When I was in Germany this summer, my friend Jutta Wies asked me told me she was going to visit her foster child at the Josephine Wambui Orphanage & Rehabilitation Centre in Embu, Kenya and asked if I wanted to come along. How could I say no to this opportunity? Jutta has already arrived. I leave early next Wednesday and my friend Harnish will drive me to the airport at an ungodly hour. It will take me more than 24 hours to get there because I'm flying with Emirates and have to land in Dubai. It is going to be tiring but worth it. I have lots of reading for the plane and plan to sleep as much as possible. At the orphanage I'll be teaching English and making repairs, painting and any other handiwork that has to be done. I hope I can make time to climb up Mt. Kenya at least part way. I will have 3 weeks to fit in everything. I want to take lots of pictures and gather lots of impressions. And I want to find a souvenir shot glass for Leslie. I promise to do my best on that one. I will be online occasionally and blog as often as possible. I'm not a big friend of desert climates so I'm hoping I will adjust quickly to the climate. Wish me luck.