tys crossroads 2010: Cumberland, MD to Little Orleans, MD 44 miles

Today we started on the beginning or end depending on your perspective of the C&O Canal. Actually it is the END. This is mile 184.5 from D.C. The canal was originally conceived by Washington to connect the Chesapeake to the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, which would then connect to the Mississippi. Three sections were envisioned to do this with the 1st being the section to Cumberland which is at the base of Mount Savage. See yesterday's blog or google to understand this The only completed section was the Eastern Section as it was later determined (duh) that they could not cross the Allegheny mountains. The canal was begun in 1828 and it reached Cumberland in 1850, but by then the railroad was already there. One of the key problems of the canal builders was to keep the Germans and Irish immigrant workers from killing one another as they didn't seem to like one another. A small rebellion also occurred when they cut their daily whiskey ration. Even back then we had these damn corporate efficiency guys What the hell were they thinking anyways............

The canal parallels the Potomac River and we saw this as we biked today. There are 75 locks between Cumberland and D.C. to allow for the boat traffic. It was really neat today to see this. What surprised us the most is the degree of wilderness that we travelled through. Today, this is a VERY remote area and not anything like you would imagine. Just think "DELIVERANCE" and you have it. So as they say "a good friend will help you move but a great friend will help you move a body". This is definitely the place if you need to move a body.

One of the highlights or scary points (they should definitely make a movie here) is the Paw Paw tunnel which is 3100 ft. through the mountain. We had a narrow, dark, watery lane that was 5 ft. wide in total darkness next to the canal. Slip and oops, you are done. Of course there was a railing, I'm just being overly dramatic. But it was very scary and Leslie and I walked through the tunnel in darkness as we had left the flashlight back at the hotel. Thats why we brought the flashlight and of course this was my wife's fault as I am the hunter and she is the gatherer. This WAS NOT FUN. Eventually we made it through without anything getting us other than our imaginations. The tunnel was originally estimated to cost $33k or so and in true government fashion it cost over $660k. Even then cost estimates seem to be off.

Enjoy the pics as it was a long day today. I am very proud of Leslie as this was a very long and hard ride for anyone, much less in someone with her condition. Rock on Leslie, as I am ready to turn back. Just kidding as we are now only 140 miles from D.C. and tomorrow will be less than 100.