Dense and remote - at mile 114 a railroad bridge crosses the C&O Towpath
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"It is a refuge, a place of retreat, a long stretch of quiet and peace at the Capital’s back door." William O. Douglas on the C&O Canal National Historic Park
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Having spent 8 Fridays biking the C&O towpath, it is a refuge, a retreat, and (at 184.5 miles) a long stretch. And, a National Treasure.
Notes from along the way:
Refuge
Not all deer have moved to the suburbs! Every Friday I saw deer – during the day! I saw a fawn so small that, from a distance, I mistook it for a fox. The Canal is a refuge for deer, frogs, snakes, turtles, and Great Blue Herons.
And, a refuge for humans: walkers, hikers, bikers, runners, birders, and photographers. Near Great Falls (mile 14), a woman motioned for me to stop - she put her finger to her month – shush. She pointed and whispered, “Hawk!”
In the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area (mile 27), a father and daughter put up their hands to motion me to stop. They were observing a doe and fawn 50 feet distant. The same fawn I had misjudged for a fox.
Retreat
At Hancock (mile 123), I met an Oregonian riding from Pittsburgh to Georgetown – “I just wanted to ride off the road – with no traffic. I cannot believe the density of the forest here.”
Near the Paw Paw Tunnel (mile 155), I rode with a Bostonian transplanted to Bethesda - “I cannot believe we have a remote trail so close to DC.”
Believe. Some parts are dense and remote. The forest so dense the trail does not completely dry. From Hancock to Little Orleans (mile 141) and back (36 miles), I saw 1 person.
Need a refuge, a retreat, exercise? We all do. The C&O calls. Just buy an old mountain bike off Craig’s list, and go. I did.
How about you - How did you spend your summer vacation? Do you have a refuge or retreat? Share a Story!
Note:
An indispensable guide to the C&O is - The C&O Canal Companion by Mike High.
Related Posts
For How I Spent The 1st Day of Summer Vacation click The 1st Day of Summer Vacation
For How I Spent Last Year's Summer Vacation click How I Spent My Summer Vacation - 2016 and Trail Mix.
