[/caption]More than 13,000 miles of unused rail lines already have been converted into recreational trails nationwide. To see where our state of N.C. is in relation to others click here. For a a state by state search visit TrailLink.com.
Friday, December 31, 2010
13,000 Mile of Converted Rail Trails
[caption id="attachment_218" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Rail Trail Rider"]
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More than 13,000 miles of unused rail lines already have been converted into recreational trails nationwide. To see where our state of N.C. is in relation to others click here. For a a state by state search visit TrailLink.com.
[/caption]More than 13,000 miles of unused rail lines already have been converted into recreational trails nationwide. To see where our state of N.C. is in relation to others click here. For a a state by state search visit TrailLink.com.
Virginia Creeper Trail Excursion
My wife and I along with 2 of our boys just returned from a trip to the VA Creeper Trail. The Creeper Trail in Damascus, VA is one of my favorite rail trails. The trail is 34 miles long from White Top Mountain to Abingdon, VA. Several hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail are in the area if you like to mix a little hiking into your vacation. What a wonderful excursion!
Of course the rail trail has its many beautiful sites. And despite our numerous visits to the Creeper we always find something new and exciting along the trail. But they are only part of what makes for a wonderful getaway. Unexpected occurrences that are not often taken into consideration when planning excursions are what make it special. Who could possibly anticipate how much fun it is to wrap blankets around each other while sitting on the deck of a secluded cabin after sundown and gaze at millions of stars? Or the thrill of a 9 year old catching a large catfish in a cool rain.
The greatest wonders of all were the angels we met along the way. Friendly, warm helpful people! Particularly helpful was the young man who volunteered to carry one of our bicycles that had a broken chain for 2 miles.
Great memories that will be recalled for years to come! To view more photos click here.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Mass Central Rail Trail
An intrepid adventure traveler can still find traces of it in the wilderness. A 104 mile railroad line was shattered by a hurricane in 1938. The line once stretched from downtown Boston to Northampton, MA.
Now, almost seventy years later, dedicated volunteers, property owners and our government agencies and business partner in 24 communities are working to dig it out and open it up. Instead of trains there will be tourists and locals, bed & breakfast inns, cross-country skiers, bicyclists, hikers, joggers, and babies in baby carriages.
Franklin-Bellingham bike trail plan has long way to go - Milford, MA - The Milford Daily News
Proponents of a paved bike trail along an old railroad bed in Franklin and Bellingham have vowed to continue pushing for the idea despite limited funding.
"It's a wooded environment and it's nature," said David Labonte, chairman of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee. "We need to do a little sweat equity in paying for this thing upfront to have something for generations of people of all ages."
Franklin-Bellingham bike trail plan has long way to go - Milford, MA - The Milford Daily News
Monday, December 20, 2010
Are There Plans to Construct a Bridge Across the Patuxent to Connect the AA County and PG County Sections of the WB&A Trail? - Crofton, MD Patch
Currently, the the Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis Trail (WB&A) is constructed on the old WB&A Railroad alignment, also known as a "Rail Trail."
To read more click the link below.
Congressman Nick Rahall : Press Releases : Rahall Helps Recreation and Tourism Projects Get Boost from National Park Service
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-WV, today announced that, at his urging, the National Park Service (NPS) has agreed to provide technical assistance to three recreation and tourism projects that will create jobs and bring additional revenue to the State.
To visit Congressman Nick Rahall and to read the entire press release click the link below.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Hancock council backs rail-trail extension plan - herald-mail.com
The Hancock, MD Town Council backs an expansion of the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a project that supporters say is important for expanded tourism opportunities in the region.
[caption id="attachment_171" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Bike in Hancock MD"]
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This is a lovely town adjacent to the C & O Canal Trail and the Western Maryland Rail Trail. On one of our trips we had lunch in town and had need for some bicycle repair. The local bicycle shop was excellent. To read more about the expansion click the link below.
Hancock council backs rail-trail extension plan - herald-mail.com
[caption id="attachment_171" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Bike in Hancock MD"]
[/caption]This is a lovely town adjacent to the C & O Canal Trail and the Western Maryland Rail Trail. On one of our trips we had lunch in town and had need for some bicycle repair. The local bicycle shop was excellent. To read more about the expansion click the link below.
Hancock council backs rail-trail extension plan - herald-mail.com
Canal Trust - News & Events
Locking it up on the C&O Canal
A writer for the Washington Post tells the story of her overnight stay at Lockhouse 49: "It was a dream realized to play house in a historical structure, with no punitive guards skulking about or signs warning me to keep off the furniture."
Friday, December 3, 2010
Andrea Sachs, Washington Post
I have ridden this area of the C & O Trail several times. On my next trip I hope to stay overnight at Lockhouse 49. To read the entire story click on the link below.
Canal Trust - News & Events
Friday, December 17, 2010
Hanover board wants former rail bed made into pathway - The Boston Globe
Hanover for turning an abandoned rail bed in the town’s southwestern corner into a lush, 6-mile trail that would let people walk and pedal safely to two nearby communities.
Proposed by the town’s Open Space Committee, the plan would add precious collateral to a decade-old local greenway vision to link isolated tracts of town-owned land while forging connections with a similar rail-to-trail effort in neighboring Rockland that reaches all the way to Abington, officials said.
If the town signs a contract with the Nevada-based nonprofit Iron Horse Preservation Society, the new trail would come at no cost, said Hal Thomas, the committee cochairman. But first, selectmen must decide whether to approve the partnership.
Hanover board wants former rail bed made into pathway - The Boston Globe
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Creeper Trail Weekend
My wife and I along with 2 of our boys just returned from a trip to the VA Creeper Trail. The Creeper Trail in Damascus, VA is one of my favorite rail trails. The trail is 34 miles long from White Top Mountain to Abingdon, VA. Several hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail are in the area if you like to mix a little hiking into your vacation. What a wonderful excursion!
Of course the rail trail has its many beautiful sites. And despite our numerous visits to the Creeper we always find something new and exciting along the trail. But they are only part of what makes for a wonderful getaway. Unexpected occurrences that are not often taken into consideration when planning excursions are what make it special. Who could possibly anticipate how much fun it is to wrap blankets around each other while sitting on the deck of a secluded cabin after sundown and gaze at millions of stars? Or the thrill of a 9 year old catching a large catfish in a cool rain.
The greatest wonders of all were the angels we met along the way. Friendly, warm helpful people! Particularly helpful was the young man who volunteered to carry one of our bicycles that had a broken chain for 2 miles.
Great memories that will be recalled for years to come!
Of course the rail trail has its many beautiful sites. And despite our numerous visits to the Creeper we always find something new and exciting along the trail. But they are only part of what makes for a wonderful getaway. Unexpected occurrences that are not often taken into consideration when planning excursions are what make it special. Who could possibly anticipate how much fun it is to wrap blankets around each other while sitting on the deck of a secluded cabin after sundown and gaze at millions of stars? Or the thrill of a 9 year old catching a large catfish in a cool rain.
The greatest wonders of all were the angels we met along the way. Friendly, warm helpful people! Particularly helpful was the young man who volunteered to carry one of our bicycles that had a broken chain for 2 miles.
Great memories that will be recalled for years to come!
Vacation 2009
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My family and I generally take our traditional summer vacations on the coast in mid-July. There is nothing wrong with sitting by the pool, wading in the ocean and enjoying a walk on the boardwalk. However, it’s what goes with you on such a vacation: television, cell phones, texting….. Just like being at home except for the Atlantic Ocean in your front yard.
In July of 2009, my wife, Pat and I along with 4 of our children bicycled 90 miles on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail from Cumberland, MD to Williamsport, MD. The 184.5 mile long C&O Canal Trail is located along the north bank of the Potomac River, starting in Washington, DC and ending in Cumberland, MD. The canal was built between 1828 and 1850, and it operated sporadically until 1924. In 1954, US Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas organized an eight day hike up the canal's towpath in an effort to save it from being converted to a parkway. His efforts succeeded, and in 1971 the canal became a National Historic Park.
For those who do not bicycle regularly (including my wife and children), 90 miles may seem like a long way. However, when you have 4 days to ride and no choice but to keep going, it is a piece of cake. We arrived in Cumberland, MD around 1:00pm, had lunch, unloaded the bicycles and supplies and were on the trail by 2:30pm.
We were completely (over) self-supported having packed everything but the kitchen sink. Each bike had a luggage rack, everyone carried a backpack and we had 2 bike trailers to tow. There was plenty of food, water, clothing and shelter if needed it. And lots of enthusiasm!
Our ride took us through changing landscape, including a walk through one of the world's longest canal tunnels. The ¾ mile Paw Paw Tunnel construction began in 1836, took 14 years to complete and was one of the greatest engineering feats of its day. At times we passed thru open fields with bales of hay. At other times we passed the Potomac River to our right and the algae covered C&O Canal with its abundant wildlife to our left. We witnessed a Great Blue Heron catching fish and turtles sunning on logs. Numerous deer were seen grazing short distances from the trail. Beaver dams were abundant. Old farm houses with apple orchards dominated the landscape prior to arriving in Williamsport.
We camped 2 nights next to the Potomac River at semi-primitive sites with sandy beaches, hand pumps for well water and a portable toilet. The second night of camping was very secluded and was heavily wooded. We set up our tents and took a swim in the gentle flowing Potomac. The water, nearly waste deep, was clear as tap water with an occasional fish swimming around us. Excluding the sounds of wildlife, the only sound we heard was a train whistle in the distance.
Two of our overnight stays were in cabins within campgrounds. Both campgrounds were beautifully landscaped and very well kept. The cabin at Happy Hills Campground, located at mile marker 129, was one room with cots for six, air conditioning and running water from a pump outside. The campground had a large pool, laundry room, camp store, showers and restrooms. We took advantage of everything they offered. The day we were there was the hottest day of the trip. We showered, took a dip in the pool, washed our clothes and slept like logs.
The KOA Campground that is located near Williamsport by mile marker 99 was a real treat! We had ridden 38 miles, 20 of which were in the pouring rain. Originally we had planned to camp in Williamsport; however, we decided to upgrade to a cabin. Dinner at the camp diner was wonderful. We particularly enjoyed the “I Love Lucy” theme of the camp restaurant. Multiple activities were available, which included canoeing the Conococheague Creek.
Proving that bicycling is for everyone, we met 3 other overnight bicyclists along the trail headed in the opposite direction. One gentleman in his 70’s started his trip in Washington D.C. and was headed to Pittsburg. He was averaging about 70 miles a day. The other group consisted of a grandfather in his mid 60’s with his 12 year old granddaughter. “Granddaddy” had taken the same trip years ago and wanted his granddaughter to experience the trip.
Everyone experienced a trip that will be long remembered. From the creative skits we performed around the camp fire to the beautiful scenery to the time we spent without the everyday interruptions of busy lives, this trip will be everlasting in my family’s hearts.
My family and I generally take our traditional summer vacations on the coast in mid-July. There is nothing wrong with sitting by the pool, wading in the ocean and enjoying a walk on the boardwalk. However, it’s what goes with you on such a vacation: television, cell phones, texting….. Just like being at home except for the Atlantic Ocean in your front yard.In July of 2009, my wife, Pat and I along with 4 of our children bicycled 90 miles on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail from Cumberland, MD to Williamsport, MD. The 184.5 mile long C&O Canal Trail is located along the north bank of the Potomac River, starting in Washington, DC and ending in Cumberland, MD. The canal was built between 1828 and 1850, and it operated sporadically until 1924. In 1954, US Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas organized an eight day hike up the canal's towpath in an effort to save it from being converted to a parkway. His efforts succeeded, and in 1971 the canal became a National Historic Park.
For those who do not bicycle regularly (including my wife and children), 90 miles may seem like a long way. However, when you have 4 days to ride and no choice but to keep going, it is a piece of cake. We arrived in Cumberland, MD around 1:00pm, had lunch, unloaded the bicycles and supplies and were on the trail by 2:30pm.
We were completely (over) self-supported having packed everything but the kitchen sink. Each bike had a luggage rack, everyone carried a backpack and we had 2 bike trailers to tow. There was plenty of food, water, clothing and shelter if needed it. And lots of enthusiasm!
Our ride took us through changing landscape, including a walk through one of the world's longest canal tunnels. The ¾ mile Paw Paw Tunnel construction began in 1836, took 14 years to complete and was one of the greatest engineering feats of its day. At times we passed thru open fields with bales of hay. At other times we passed the Potomac River to our right and the algae covered C&O Canal with its abundant wildlife to our left. We witnessed a Great Blue Heron catching fish and turtles sunning on logs. Numerous deer were seen grazing short distances from the trail. Beaver dams were abundant. Old farm houses with apple orchards dominated the landscape prior to arriving in Williamsport.
We camped 2 nights next to the Potomac River at semi-primitive sites with sandy beaches, hand pumps for well water and a portable toilet. The second night of camping was very secluded and was heavily wooded. We set up our tents and took a swim in the gentle flowing Potomac. The water, nearly waste deep, was clear as tap water with an occasional fish swimming around us. Excluding the sounds of wildlife, the only sound we heard was a train whistle in the distance.
Two of our overnight stays were in cabins within campgrounds. Both campgrounds were beautifully landscaped and very well kept. The cabin at Happy Hills Campground, located at mile marker 129, was one room with cots for six, air conditioning and running water from a pump outside. The campground had a large pool, laundry room, camp store, showers and restrooms. We took advantage of everything they offered. The day we were there was the hottest day of the trip. We showered, took a dip in the pool, washed our clothes and slept like logs.
The KOA Campground that is located near Williamsport by mile marker 99 was a real treat! We had ridden 38 miles, 20 of which were in the pouring rain. Originally we had planned to camp in Williamsport; however, we decided to upgrade to a cabin. Dinner at the camp diner was wonderful. We particularly enjoyed the “I Love Lucy” theme of the camp restaurant. Multiple activities were available, which included canoeing the Conococheague Creek.
Proving that bicycling is for everyone, we met 3 other overnight bicyclists along the trail headed in the opposite direction. One gentleman in his 70’s started his trip in Washington D.C. and was headed to Pittsburg. He was averaging about 70 miles a day. The other group consisted of a grandfather in his mid 60’s with his 12 year old granddaughter. “Granddaddy” had taken the same trip years ago and wanted his granddaughter to experience the trip.
Everyone experienced a trip that will be long remembered. From the creative skits we performed around the camp fire to the beautiful scenery to the time we spent without the everyday interruptions of busy lives, this trip will be everlasting in my family’s hearts.
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