Tuesday, June 15, 2021

C&O Canal Tours and Gathland Park

Turns out the old Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (also known as "The Old Ditch" runs right through Maryland, and there are spots to hike, bike, and enjoy nature and history all up and down it.  The canal operated from 1831 to 1924 between D.C. and Cumberland, MD, mostly transporting coal from the Alleghenies.  The canal has a series of locks, which I thought would make for a cool bucket list, until I found out there's like 75+.  So I guess I'll just visit the ones that look the most interesting...




This bit, near Williamsport, has been my favorite so far.  A beautiful stretch of quiet woodlands boarding the Potomac River.





And here at Miller's Footbridge in Clear Spring, MD, I discovered the terrifying nightmare that is the American Eel...


I try to love all of God's creatures.  But I'm pretty sure this thing came up on me while I dangled my feet in the water, I'd have a heart attack.



It was a beautiful spot though, despite the eel propoganda.

Danny and I also took a quick evening walk around a park called Gathland, a war memorial dedicated to honoring the press correspondents of the American Civil War.  


Built on the former estate of a war correspondent George Alfred Townsend, who wrote under the penname "Gath."



The museum was closed, but we still enjoyed walking around the ruins and seeing the stone walls and arches.  



And we always enjoy making up background info on characters in old photographs :)

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