East Coast Greenway Ride

  Lancaster City Market building was closed on the day we visited.  Grrr. We enjoyed the floral and artwork in downtown Lancaster. Soon we sauntered to the town of "Bird in Hand" not far away to take a tour of a typical Amish home.  The docent who guided us through the home was not Amish and this home was an example of a home not occupied but she did a great job of explaining the Amish culture and answering our questions. The schoolhouse was similar to the one-room school I attended a few years back.  :>)  The children are educated only through the eighth grade and the teachers are unmarried women starting at 16 years old.  Once they are married, they can no longer teach since their job is now in the home.  At age 16, all the children are allowed (if they desire) to participate in the "English" world in a 2-year process known as "Rumspringa" to see if they desire to leave the Amish life.  They do come home each evening and live with their famil...

  In our discussions about how to continue in a more relaxed manner, we decided to stay in a camping location for more than one day and ride trails nearby.  As it turns out, the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail well north of Baltimore is part of the East Coast Greenway and passed several times over Big Gunpowder Falls creek. We took in views of a wild goose family and a very fast Garter snake. Soon we came upon the gnome community expressive as ever!  They even provided snacks for a small donation. As we proceeded north, we reached the Mason-Dixon line and the border into Pennsylvania. The town of New Freedom, PA welcomed us along with the rails that are still active for their adventure train. In the town of Hanover, the train has to make a decision about taking the rail "less traveled." This sculpture also in Hanover is made from bicycle frames and parts. Here I am attempting to stay with the big boys. Here, Beth is exiting Howard Tunnel.  Henry Howard was an engineer who...

  In Annapolis, Sarah chose to leave the ride and visit with relatives in the area and further west.  We are all exploring what comes next.  Our method of moving vehicles, driving into the more populated cities, and finding a new campground every night was making our experience a bit too much like work. As we discussed how the trip should change, Randy and Beth unpacked and repacked their bike bags in a preliminary reorganization effort.  We further diverted the discussion by deciding to ride the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail along with the BWI trail around the airport.   The Baltimore and Annapolis Trail is part of the East Coast Greenway and was a joy to ride.  Many local riders were also taking advantage of this great trail. A comfort station on the trail was top-notch. Wildlife kept our eyes popping.  In the above image, the reflection is real.  However, I am not sure the sleeping Mallard is real.  😄 I love artwork along the trail. ...

  Riding the Mt. Vernon Trail about to cross the Potomac onto the DC Mall Leo, Sandy, Sarah, and Randy posing at the Lincoln Memorial with Washington's monument in the background. A view of the back of the white house from much further away than the normal viewing area.  Fencing keeps us all further away after the January 6 shenanigans. Riding down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capital with bike lanes in the middle of the Avenue.   This concept of bike lanes between the car lanes works well.  The capital is also fenced off. However, the food trucks located in the mall were wide open so we chowed down before heading toward the Anacostia Trail. Sarah speeding along a straighter section of the Anacostia Trail. The trail has lots of curves that are really fun on the bike.  Even the bridges have curves.  Our riding along the Anacostia trail and DC was just over 40 miles. These sculptures were in Bladensburg Park just east of DC along the A...