Ride the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal: Day 8

Well our trip is over and we were each successful in completing our goal. We left at 8 AM in 2 shifts to be transported back to Whites Ferry from Leesburg (7 miles). We were underway by 9 AM. It was overcast for awhile (cooler) but then the sun came out. There was a slight breeze art times though. This was a 35 mile day with the last 22 miles with water in the canal. There were more and larger mud puddles this morning with gravel this afternoon, at times somewhat rough. And Tess fell once coming down an incline at a lock, where there was suddenly deep gravel, but with no injuries. The GAP has a better surface than the C&O. Lunch was at the Great Falls Visitors Center snack stand in the parking lot. After lunch, we walked out the trail to see the Great Falls up closer. Then we rode on into Georgetown. We arrived at the zero mile marker for the canal after 3:00 PM. Then we spent some time taking pictures of couples and the whole group at the zero marker. There was a slight chance of rain today but we did not get any today or all week. The hot weather was hard on us but lots of rain would have been worse.

Some are glad they completed it but once was enough and some are considering the possibility of doing it again sometime, but I think all agree it is “the ride of your life” and quite an accomplishment to be proud of. I have learned a lot this trip and the trip will only get better. The group agrees that my wife Carol (who delivers cold water and luggage service) is the REAL queen of the ride. Tomorrow we have an all day drive home. I hope to be able to lead a group again next year and perhaps YOU the reader, would be interested in doing this ride.