Most different surfaces (so far)

Past midway! 

Packed dirt, gravel, pot hole laden side street, RR tracks, asphalt, and slippery wooden bridge on today's ride.

Mile marker 94.44                 
Falling Waters
Following the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee and his troops withdrew into Maryland. Rain and high water levels made a retreat back into Virginia difficult so the army worked on making pontoon boats. Water levels subsided enough for the army to cross over fords at Falling Waters and also Williamsport, under darkness. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)



Mile Marker 88.1
McMahon’s Mill
The mill here has been known by a variety of different names: Shanks Mill, Charles Mill (not to be confused with Charles Mill just below Dam 5), Avis Mill, Shaffer’s Mill, Old Flouring Mill, Galloways Mill, Cedar Grove Mill, and more recently, McMahon’s Mill. The mill was built on Downey Branch in 1778 to produce flour, feed, and plaster. The wooden overshot wheel was replaced by a steel wheel in the 1920’s, when waterpower was used to generate electricity here. The mill closed in 1922. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)

In the double digits now

Nice ride on a mild December day. Boozie went for a small swim before we loaded up.

Mile Marker 99.5

Bollman Bridge

The Bollman Bridge was constructed in 1879 and stands as a testament to nineteenth century engineering. This pony-Pratt iron truss bridge is one of the few surviving bridges built by Wendell Bollman, a pioneer in engineering of iron bridges. Prior to 1850, most bridges built in America were wooden. Bollman was a self-taught engineer who pioneered the “Bollman truss” design. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)

Mile marker 99.2-99.8           

Williamsport

Williamsport is the only place on the canal where examples of major canal structures can be viewed within a half-mile stretch of the towpath. Visitors can see a refurbished lockhouse and its adjacent lift lock, the only Bollman Iron Truss bridge over the canal, a railroad lift bridge, a canal turning basin and a re-watered aqueduct. The railroad lift bridge is a rare surviving example of a short-span railroad vertical lift bridge. It was built in 1923 by the Potomac Public Service Company, where the Western Maryland Railway spur crosses the canal. Cushwa Basin is the only restored historical basin on the C&O Canal. The basin was excavated and rebuilt in 1994. The Cushwa warehouse was built between 1790 and 1810, predating the canal. It is one of the oldest buildings along the canal. Adjacent to the basin, on its downstream side, was the Cushwa wharf. This, along with the Steffey and Findlay wharf near Lock 44, made Williamsport the most important coal shipment point on the canal above the Federal District. Replica launch boat rides over the re-watered Conococheague Aqueduct are offered seasonally. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)

"Glamour" shots

 

Most picturesque leg to date

Super windy ride. Saw Cardinals, Robins, and a Downey woodpecker.

Mile marker 110.2
McCoys Ferry
Union and Confederate troops clashed several times at McCoys Ferry throughout the Civil War, On May 23, 1861, Confederate forces tried to capture the ferry boat but were halted by fire from the Clear Spring Guards. They let the boat drift downstream where Union soldiers later retrieved it. On October 10, 1862, less than one month after the Battle of Antietam, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart and his cavalry crossed the Potomac River at McCoys Ferry on his second ride around McClellan’s army. Part of the Confederate cavalry in the McCausland-Johnson raid crossed the Potomac here on July 24, 1864. The cavalry was on its way to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where it burned the town after residents refused to pay a ransom. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)

Georgia fun

Gender bending in the German village of Helen, swimming off Jekyll Island, and remembering history at Fort Fredricka.

Holiday fun

Challenged Boozie with parking garage trails with crazy scent movement then took holiday photos with training buddies. 

Hancock to Big Pool- fastest per mile time so far

Biked about 23 miles this mild December days. Saw many Canada geese and Wood ducks.

Mile Marker 124.0

Bowles House

The historic Bowles House is open seasonally as the C&O Canal Hancock Visitor Center. The house was built in the 1780s as a one-story structure overlooking the Potomac. The parcel of land, known as “Sarah’s Fancy,” was transferred from Lord Baltimore of England to William Yates around 1775. The Yates family occupied the house during canal construction until 1875, when it was acquired by the Bowles family. The Bowles family remained in the house until 1905. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)

Mile Marker 112.4

Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick State Park borders the Potomac River and surrounding parts of the C&O Canal. Within the park is Fort Frederick, built from 1756-57 at the request of Governor Horatio Sharpe to protect the frontier. It is the only remaining stone fort from the French and Indian War. It was also used during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, when Union troops were often stationed at the fort to guard the canal. Today the fort and surrounding area is a Maryland State Park. Visitors can enjoy tours of the fort, interpretive programs, and living history programming throughout much of the year. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)

Breed best of winners and 25% of points for weight pull championship

Had fun day with friends, nice win in show ring, and got first weight pull championship points on an effortless pull. He was so excited to pull nearly 1500 lbs that he tangled himself but pulled hard. Took second place for his class in weight pull. Total dog points too.

Second title- United Weight Puller

Big thank you to Hampton Roads Kennel Club for conformation and weightpull shows/trials.

We got best adult GSP (twice) and two 650lb pulls to finish his weight pull title.