"It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Wold you be mine? Could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor?" ~ Mr. Rogers

Saturday, July 28, 2012 (Day 52)
Super 8, Hancock, MD
Miles:  64  MPH:  10  Max:  20  Total:  3227

Wonderful surprise this morning--our dear neighbors, Bonnie and Steve, drove down from Lancaster, after getting up at 3am, and met us at our hotel in Cumberland!  After breakfast and some catching up they rode with us several hours as we set out on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail.  Normally, the C&O is bumpy but after a rain storm, it is really crazy.  Slipping and sliding in the mud and water puddles, we loved their company.

Wonderful neighbors - Bonnie and Steve

 Met up with another group of 6 riders on the trail-- they were from Lancaster County, PA!!!

Riding the C&O is like taking a ride through transportation history.  You can sense how at one time the canal was a lifeline for the communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber and agricultural products floated down the waterway.  The canal runs 184 miles from the mountains of Western, MD where we picked it up and it goes all the way to the tidal basin in Washington, DC. 

 

Deer ran across our path and families of turkeys gobbled along side the trail.  About 1/2 way through our ride we reached the Paw Paw Tunnel.  As we walked our bikes slowly through this spooky, creepy 3,000 foot long tunnel, water dripped on us and we stepped in puddles!  Not sure why we didn't use our flashlights!

Tired from the rough ride we were happy to reach Hancock!  Getting so close!!!!

So many riders along the C&O -- so much fun enjoying their company!