Memorable Photos - C&O Canal Towpath

            Ok, now for my pick of the most memorable photos taken along the C&O Canal towpath.  Please be sure to look at the Picasa album (http://picasaweb.google.com/108300668976745126881) for all the photos, because it is hard to just pick a few!

In Cumberland about to take off Wednesday morning (albeit 10:40am!):

A photo showing a nicer section of the canal beside us (the trail is also nicer here than was typical):

Taking our first break and Phil looks really mad!

Typical "Hiker - Biker" campsite along the C&O Canal (note: there is also a porta-john out of view):

We had to dodge a lot of mud!

Typical "lock" along the canal with "lockhouse" beside:

More typical conditions of the canal towpath (notice the stagnant water in the canal):

A nice shot of Phil & Mark coming down the trail:

The Paw Paw Tunnel (3,118' long and not lighted):

Using my 3watt LED flashlight to light up the tunnel (that's Phil ahead of me):

(True confession - I actually rode into the tunnel with my sunglasses on not realizing it and wondered why my flashlight wasn't as bright as I expected!  It says something though when you can ride in a pitch black tunnel with sunglasses using a flashlight!) 

Looking out the other end of the Paw Paw tunnel:

Phil & Mark at the south end of the Paw Paw tunnel:

Mark dropped his trail mix on the ground and is picking it back up to eat later:

Little Orleans Town Directory:

Bill's Place from the outside:

Cool shot speeding down the paved Western MD Rail Trail:

This shot is just cool:

Next morning, Mark trying to cook pancakes (and looking like he's never seen a camera before!):

Overview of our campsite (North Mountain) and yes that is the Potomac River in the background:

Literally riding on the edge of the Potomac River:

Dam #5 just north of Williamsport, MD:

An area of severe washout:

Riding a section with a better view of the Potomac to the right (that's Mark in front of me):

Stopped at Harpers Ferry where the Appalachian Trail crosses paths with the C&O canal:

We setup camp really late Thursday Night.  This shot is showing lighting up the campsite with my 3watt LED flashlight:

Phil went to bed early (wuss), but Mark & I stayed up cooking up most of the hot food we had left. Here's a shot showing Mark cooking over the campfire:

Mark's sleeping arrangements.  C'mon Mark!  Wake up!  It's time to go!

We got to historic Whites Ferry and it was closed up and deserted!  Notice the flood levels. (My bike in photo):

Zooming along!

Shot of Phil's Bike:

Mark's Bike:

Shot of a restored lock:

At Great Falls (an overlook):

Little further down from Great Falls at a beautiful gorge the river runs through:

Shot of the three of us at the gorge (one of the few shots with me wearing my do rag, but without sunglasses):

Paved bike path along the C&O canal towpath.  That paved path will lead you away from the C&O and therefore away from the 0 Mile Marker - beware!  It's very tempting to drop down on it!

 Coming into Georgetown (D.C.):

 Well there's the canal!  How do you follow it to the end???

 Trying to get to the Waterfront & zero mile marker for the canal:

 The three of us at the zero mile marker at the D.C. waterfront:

My bike at the zero mile marker looking toward the Potomac:

My mileage on my odometer (minus .5 miles for the true trip total):

Phil & Mark resting by the first lock (behind them is where you have to ride behind a boat rental business to get to the zero mile marker):

Getting loaded up to leave D.C.

This bike had been locked to a signpost behind where we loaded up.  This is why you don't leave your bike unattended in D.C. even if you have it locked up!

          Well that's the "best of" of the C&O Canal Towpath section.  If I can get around to it I'll be posting one last blog entry: "Tips/Suggestions For Future Riders" for those making the same or a similar trip.

Memorable Photos - Great Allegheny Passage

           Well it's been awhile, sorry.  I came back from the trip and real life resumed!  I do have all my trip photos uploaded to my Google Picasa site (found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/108300668976745126881 ).  There are 389 trip photos total and I put captions on almost every photo.  When you click the link above you will see my shared folders on Picasa.  I divided the trip photos into 2 separate folders: 1) During Trip - Great Allegheny Passage, and 2) During Trip - C&O Canal Towpath.  Of course feel free to browse any of the other folders as well. 
           Since I was unable to post many photos during the trip, I'd like to share some of my favorites now.  I will divide these "Memorable Photos" into 2 separate posts, one post for each trail.  The following photos are taken along The Great Allegheny Passage. 

Typical Camp Setup (this was at Dravo Cemetery Campground Monday morning):

Typical Trail Conditions of the Great Allegheny Passage:

The Bear In the Trail:

Beautiful Scenic Overlook of the Youghiogheny River (between Connellsville and Ohiopyle):

Scenic brook along the trail:

 The three of us outside of Meyersdale:

My Bike Loaded Up for This Trip (Camera mounted, no flashlights mounted).  I figure I had approximately 50 pounds of gear loaded on.:

Top of the Ridge:

Part of the profile of the trail showing the downhill into Cumberland (dropping 1787' in elevation in 22 miles):

 Self Portrait:

 Big Savage Tunnel (complete with vandalism):

 The beautiful scenic overlook on the south side of the Big Savage Tunnel (this is a large photo stitched together from a couple photos - see the original photo on Picasa for more detail):

Phil & I at the Mason-Dixon Line:

The Zero Mile Marker for the Great Allegheny Passage in Cumberland, MD:

Stay tuned for the memorable photos from the C&O Canal Towpath!