East Coast Greenway Ride

We rode the D&L Trail northwest of Allentown, PA starting mid-trail after Beth fixed her flat.   The rail trail parallels the Lehigh River where an adjacent canal was built in the 1800s for moving anthracite coal downriver to the more populated areas and burgeoning steel industry. The ruins of the old canal locks are still visible in some places.  Today bridges take all the trucking and tourist load. After 20 miles, the rail-trail bridge into the town of Jim Thorpe is striking as well as the town.  It is known as the "Switzerland" of the USA.  It has always been touristy and the desired place to be because of the clear air.  This "Poconos" area is only about 100 miles from NYC. The town has its own opera house and the Marion Hose Company Restaurant was a great place for lunch right beside the Opera house. On the way back to camp, Beth stopped to admire the pink Lilacs along the trail. Here, Beth and Sandy herd a Northern Water Snake down the canal. After a p...

  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. ...