Well I finally got “my act” together. No, that’s not an
accurate statement; just ask any of our group. Since I FINALLY got high-speed
internet service, I went back and “edited” the last two days and added pictures
and captions, so check them out.
Last night everyone (but Carol and
I) were in Bed & Breakfasts. They both served breakfast at 8:00 and we all
started riding at 8:45 AM and rode together all day.
We had 20 miles of upgrade to the high
point, The Eastern Continental Divide. Water behind us (after arriving) flows
to the Gulf of Mexico (by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Water in
front of us flows to the Atlantic Ocean (by way of the Potomac River), but I am
ahead of myself.
First, we arrived at the Salisbury
Viaduct, a 1900 ft. long bridge that is 101 feet above the valley. It crosses
the Casselman River, CSX RR, US 219 bypass and old 219. It is one of two
“signature” structures on the GAP. Two miles later, we arrived at the depot in
Myersdale, PA (water, restrooms and shirts for sale). Next is the Bollman
Bridge, is a beautiful old historic wrought iron bridge that was moved from
near Meyersdale to replace a dangerous county road tunnel under the trail.
The next rest stop/picture opportunity was at the Keystone
Viaduct, a long, curved bridge over the valley and CSX RR. Next was Deal, where
the donor plaque honoring the persons, groups and businesses that had donated
money to help refurbish the Big Savage Tunnel. (It is a ¾ mile long lighted
former WM RR tunnel that cost $12 million to restore.) There was “extra credit”
given, if you could find Rails-to-Trails of Wayne County, Ohio’s name on the
donor’s plaque. Yes it is there! Soon (noon) we were at the Eastern Continental
Divide for more pictures. (Any excuse to take a break on an upgrade on a hot
day. From here, the trip is all DOWNHILL! In 2 miles we were at the (lighted)
Big Savage Tunnel and were able to enjoy a long cool ride thru. The Big Savage
is the other famous structure on the GAP. Then just out of the tunnel we took pictures
of the “narrows” where Cumberland is at the end. It is perhaps 14 miles “as the
crow flies” but 20 miles, as the trail follows the side of the mountain around
the long way.
Now it was 20 miles of downhill to Cumberland. If you pedaled
slightly, you were going 12-13 miles per hour. If you pedaled steadily (as we
were) you went 15-16 miles an hour. On the way down, we went thru Borden Tunnel
unlighted but fairly short), stopped at the trailhead for Frostburg, and went
thru Brush Tunnel (lighted and shared with the tourist railroad the goes from
Cumberland to Frostburg). The train runs Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday.
It had taken us 3 ½ hours to the top (22 miles) and only 2 ½
hours down (22 miles). We were flying. We were at the hotel by 2:30 in the
afternoon. The pool was one option, as well as the C&O Visitors Center and
an optional ride on a short railtrail just below Cumberland, though relaxing
probably was the “main event”. We had chosen to only eat energy bars for lunch,
since the options were ride down into Meyersdale and then UP after lunch or UP
at Frostburg and then back down to the trail. So we opted for fewer miles and
no more climbs, instead of lunch. Some at lunch soon after arriving and
cleaning up and some just ate an early supper. Everyone was glad for the
downhill and to arrive early.
Ready to leave Rockwood.
Dean's sign- "DC or BUST"
Arriving at the Salisbury Viaduct.
Flat Stanley gets to see the Salisbury Viaduct.
Lee and Deb on the Viaduct.
Other end-JD, Lee, Dean and Deb.
Meyersdale Depot.
Keystone Viaduct.
BIG savage donors plaque at Deal.
The Eastern Continental Divide.
Depiction of the elevation-"you are here"
See the red arrow at the top.
Arriving at the Big Savage Tunnel"
Riding thru the Big Savage.
Cumberland is just beyond the valley in the center of the picture,
but the trail goes to the right out of the picture.
Bob and Jenny at the Mason/Dixon Line,
the boundary between Pennsylvania (behind me) and Maryland (behind them).
Mason and Dixon were the surveyors who established the "line"
which settled the dispute between PA & MD over the boundary.
Brush Tunnel, shared with the scenic railroad.
Zero mile marker for the GAP.
GAP is at the top of the picture.
The C&O Canal Trail starts at the bottom of the picture.
WOW! We saw a lot of things today. On to the C&O tomorrow.