Potomac River at Harpers Ferry

     At the tri-state meeting point of West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia is the beautiful Potomac River. I didn't plan my visit to investigate river access points and shuttle services, but next visit here to float this beautiful river, I will.

     I unloaded my bike on the eastern side of the Potomac and took a 15 mile bike ride up the canal path, the very same Chesapeake and Ohio Canal that begins in Cumberland, Maryland and goes south to near Washington DC. From the get-go, I saw people enjoying the outdoors.

This woman (about my age) is walking 15 miles daily on the towpath until August, when she flies to Spain for 45 days to complete the Camino de Santiago.

     And Doug, a retired man who erected this tent on the shores of the Potomac is from Texas. He too escapes Texas' summers. This summer he's walking from Washington DC to Pittsburgh on the canal towpath. He doesn't trust the Internet (typical Texan native) so I agreed not to take his photograph.

     Saw several bikers loaded down with gear, too. One had a solar unit on top of his gear. But most of the time, I had this trail to myself for 15 miles up and back.

Very woodsy canal path; much different from the path at Cumberland.

Path was in good condition, too. Lots of large trees on the Potomac side of the path.

Nice rock outcroppings on the canal side of the path.

The Potomac is a wide shallow rocky river at certain sections. I think these kayaks are inflatable ones.

Lots of tubers, too.

     Saw a doe and her fawn, and a Great Blue Heron catch dinner. I enjoyed the 15 miles up and the 15 miles back. Could have gone further north on this easy path. It was easy on the body, easy on the eyes and mind, too.

     Harpers Ferry which sits on the other side of the Potomac by the way, is very touristy. It was a pleasant drive through the well-preserved historic towns of Shepherdstown and Sharpsburg, but the village of Harpers Ferry is connected to the Historical National Park and they have lots of rules, regulations and fees to park (with a shuttle bus). To "see" it all would require planning. So, I didn't last long there.

     I'm taking a little break from my travels; visiting my sister in Laurel, Maryland. We have a wedding in the family this weekend! Will share it all next week.