GAP and C&O Day 2

Day 2

Ha, when I just dumped all the pics from the day into this post I had over 70 pics. That's a bit much, so we'll see how they get pared down.

After falling short of my Day 1 goal, I had miles to make up on this day. I still wanted to check out the sights, though, so I was making good speed when moving, while stopping often. The roughness of the trail meant this was taking a toll on my body, and I would also find out my equipment. I put in around 86 miles this day.

this was also my biggest day for photos.

I started out the morning with a quick freeze-dried meal, as I'd decided that with the number of food options available I just didn't need to carry them, and would just eat them. then I proceeded to second breakfast at the Trump-loving Schoolhouse Kitchen in Oldtown. I considered skipping it, but considering the mileage I wanted to make up, spending time looking for other options seemed like a waste.

Morning on the Potomac

campsite was ForageReady™

Lock 75, the final lock on the C&O

lots of the watered areas looked like this, but some were clear, but even more was de-watered

these gates are really not all that different than the ones on modern locks like the McAlpine Locks in Louisville

many of the locks were in various states of disrepair

with my bike on the bridge it starts to give an idea of how tiny these locks were

I ran across this family many times this morning, including at breakfast

damn turtle started coming after me while I was taking its picture

creek level in an aqueduct. hard work to get bike down for this pic

Paw Paw Tunnel West

Paw Paw Tunnel East

One of the cooler Hiker/Bikers sites. Down the hill on the Potomac behind these remain of a building

 About this point in the day, I stopped for lunch at Bill
s Place a friendly biker bar in Little Orleans. As I arrived, there was already another cyclist there, just getting off his bike. Hey, lunch company! Turns out he was doing way more than just the GAP/C&O, he'd come from California, and was on his way to New York.

This teeny tiny lockhouse was part of the Four Locks complex.

All pretty an manicured, but I bet this was a hell of mud with so much action going on so close with all four locks in operation, wide areas for putting boats to the side as some went upstream and some downstream.

The last stop of the day before heading to camp was Williamsport, where I ate at a little cafe, filled up on water and headed out at sunset. As I arrived at my campsite and started setting up, I realized the toll the terrain was taking on my equipment: a broken pannier hook. Luckily a lower hook, and I knew how to fix it, I just needed to find the right tools and a nut and bolt. But that would have to wait until the next day, as I was tired, sore and in need of rest.

Up Next Day 3