Today was the first day I really felt tired after my ride; I had to do quite a few hills to get off the trail and to my inn. And after a long ride, that was hard. Last night I also had a bed that squeaked everytime I moved and it sagged, so I woke with a backache. The good news is that there was still no rain today and tonight I am back in another wonderful 1800s house in Shepherdstown, WV. Lots of old homes and shops here. I chose to wander town for a few hours this afternoon instead of getting another history dose at nearby Antietem.
The ride out of Williamsport was similar to what I have been doing the past few days. I began by passing mile marker 100 -- 100 miles to go. That seems like nothing now. Today the forest smelled really good. I am relaxed enough at this stage to notice I suspect.
The ride out of Williamsport was similar to what I have been doing the past few days. I began by passing mile marker 100 -- 100 miles to go. That seems like nothing now. Today the forest smelled really good. I am relaxed enough at this stage to notice I suspect.
I laugh every time I see one of these signs shown below. I suppose it is good information to have but I always wonder what to do with it. Pedal fast? If I hear a cracking sound, pedal faster and hope for the best? There was an area just outside the Paw Paw Tunnel where the risk was not boulders on the path, but very sharp shards of slate from the mountain cut. They would have made a great defensive weapon in a pinch (I think too much I know) and I was really glad I had my hardcase tires as I rolled over them.
Turns out herons along the trail are less skittish than turtles. I got very close to another one. There are many turtles sunning themselves on logs in the canal but as soon as I stop my bike to photograph them, they plink right into the water. I think I caught sight of a beaver too.
For dinner, I sat at the bar of a nice local place and made conversation with some locals. One guy just returned from Guam where he was on a carrier and then a submarine testing sonar equipment for the Navy. Another couple was a retired doctor and nurse from Long Island who just got back from Russia, and then Annie came in. She's an artist who just got home from hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. Her stories made me feel like a pansy in comparison! She blogged her adventure too and I am looking forward to reading that.
Meanwhile, 3 days of riding left. After two weeks of deeply inhaling clean forest and mountain air it will be hard to go back to an office where I cannot even open the windows. But hey, happy to have a window!
Meanwhile, 3 days of riding left. After two weeks of deeply inhaling clean forest and mountain air it will be hard to go back to an office where I cannot even open the windows. But hey, happy to have a window!