Little Orleans to Williamsport

[This post covers Wed morning thru Thu morning]

While we've been pedaling, eating and drinking our way along the trail, Karri has been having an adventure of her own. After our first night (Saturday) in Belle Vernon, she biked 40 miles back to Pittsburgh - and made good time doing it without us lugheads to slow her down. She spent the next two nights at a hotel in downtown Pittsburgh and did some sightseeing of her own. Tuesday she drove to Ohiopyle, where she camped, biked and hiked for a couple days, including a tour of the grounds at Falling Water, a Frank Lloyd Wright house. Today she'll drive the rest of the way to DC, staying with Carol in Bethesda, with plans to have dinner with a college friend in Georgetown tonight. We've kept in touch with texts, photos and occasional phone calls. I'm so happy she's having fun and, as always, impressed with her spirit of adventure! Can't wait to see her on Friday.

Karri on a ride in Ohiopyle

Enjoying a fireside manhattan - that's my girl!

Meanwhile, back at Town Hill B&B Wednesday morning...

Our host, Dave, shuttled us back to the trail and we were on our way shortly after 10am under blue skies and warming temperatures. Our ride for the day followed alongside the upper Potomac River. The majority of the first 20+ miles were on (mostly) smooth asphalt, with a few stretches of narrow dirt/gravel. We pedaled about 16 miles to Hancock, MD, stopped for a while, then continued on another 14 miles to Fort Frederick and stopped for lunch.

Fort Frederick was built in 1757 by the colony of Maryland to protect it's western frontier. It was used during the Revolution to house British prisoners, then fell into disrepair. The Civilian Conservation Corp restored it in the 1930's and it is now a lovely, relaxing park.

Ready to hit the trail in Little Orleans

Beautiful day - smooth trail

Scott at the entrance to the park

Enjoying lunch in the shade of a beautiful oak tree

Slightly mis-shapen - but still delicious - peanut butter sandwich, compliments of Bob

The restored fort

After some sightseeing at the fort, we got back on the trail for the final 14 miles to Williamsport. We made a few brief stops to enjoy the scenery of the Potomac.

Leaf-covered gravel trail

Alongside the Potomac

Dam #5

Rick and the Reverend at Dam #5

We arrived in Williamsport, MD just before 4pm and got to Bay Farms Bed and Breakfast soon after. It was nice to have a shorter day of riding, about 41mi total, and to be done pedaling a little earlier than previous days. The B&B is lovely - a restored home in the center of town - and Jesse, our host, is delightful. Rick and I made a run to the liquor store to replenish beers and manhattan fixings (a theme here?!), which we enjoyed on the back deck before eating carry-out Italian food from Tony's Pizza and Pasta (very good). We have definitely eaten well - and substantially - the entire trip!

Arriving in Williamsport; checking out the reconstructed aqueduct

Bay Farms B&B in Williamsport

We were pleased to be joined by Mariano, a septuagenarian from Florida (originally from Cuba - with a cajun accent) we've seen and chatted with a few times on the trail, who arrived around 6pm. He's riding solo, covering about 60 miles each day - impressive. He joined us for dinner on the deck and some great conversation. He fits in well with our group; when he arrived he asked "which one of you is Bill's brother?" Bob raised his hand and Mariana said "do you know your brother says you're a knucklehead?" I'm pretty sure it was a mis-quote (I'd never say that), but definitely funny. We all watched the VP debate, then headed to bed.

Slept very well in a comfy bed. Jesse prepared a generous and delicious breakfast, with some healthier options (much needed as several of us have wondered whether we've put weight ON during the trip!). Packing up, with plan to be on the trail by 10. About 42 miles to go to Brunswick today, though we're planning 2 sightseeing stops - Antietam National Battlefield and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. I'm really excited to take in some Civil War history. 56 and sunny at 9:30am - going to be another awesome day!

Mariano

A delicious breakfast!