Jason Preves' Trip Journal
C & O Canal
Day One
Oh my God! The most uncomfortable sleep I have ever had started on day one. I think most of us slept for about 30 minutes at a time in the van. Before we knew it, we were there. After a brief food break at McDonald’s that morning we immediately drove to the welcome center. We spent about 30 minutes getting water and inflating tires. A few snapshots of the group and we were on our way. No sooner than it started we stopped with a malfunction on one of the bikes. Finally we were off again. Loose gravel, 30 plus pounds of gear, and 184 miles to go. Almost makes one wonder why anyone would pay to do this.
The day was pretty much uneventful. We met a few folks who gave us the 3-minute tour of a lock house. Interesting place but I was sure we would see plenty more along the journey. Next stop, hillbilly central. We came upon a large group of people who told us they were “feeshing.” After they had a few choice words about us on bikes while they were “feeshing”, we knew we needed to get a move on, quickly. I could have sworn that I heard banjos playing.
They rest of the day was really left to all of us getting acclimated to our bikes and learning how much exercise was involved just to keep moving through mud puddles. Finally we came upon Paw-Paw Tunnel. Nice little campsite right off the path with a well pump, picnic table, and an outhouse. All of us were pretty happy to stop for the day and setup camp. Shortly after the boys setup camp and left to explore the tunnel, we were rudely interrupted by a ranger stating that this was not a campsite. Who cares what the map states or the furnishings that surrounded us. We (John, Daniel, and I) quickly picked up our gear and started advancing toward the actual tunnel. Daniel held back while we trekked on through the tunnel. Daniel would wait for the boys while we scouted the next campsite.
The tunnel, well it was dark, smelled like cigarettes, and had a few hippies. Go figure. Shortly after passing through the tunnel nearly blind we rode on to our next campsite, Sorrel Ridge. A grassy meadow with a slight angle down toward the Potomac. I scoped out the area just south of us to be sure we were at the right location. Shortly after I returned Daniel and the boys arrived. Finally we were able to setup camp and get the food started. Apparently the boys were hungry because they were done before we were able to pump out the water. After a bit of waiting our hunger was suppressed. Daniel and John decided to hit the hay around 1830 while I tried to contact Cari. While I was talking to her, I noticed the boys were rejuvenated and decided to climb the hillside next to camp. Looked like fun but the legs disagreed.
Funny enough we didn’t have the campsite alone. A group of girl scouts decided to camp with us. We were impressed by them just camping. Apparently the boys were a bit more impressed than the adults. Regardless, sleeping was more important.
Day Two
Um, should my body hurt this bad? What day is it? Are we there yet? All of these items ran through my mind as I awakened. The fog had engulfed the campsite but now the sun was beginning to burn it off. Everyone looked like they ate bad sushi last night. After a bit of coffee, tea, and food we all began to look human (sort of).
We quickly set off again for our next destination, Hancock Visitor Center. This trip in the morning should only be about thirty miles. Seems like a lot further when you first get on your bike. Regardless, we all started off pretty well. Motrin can do that to you. Boys rode pretty well for being just a few inches apart from each other. I stayed behind just to be sure that everyone could keep moving. Especially the older adults. Funny enough they rode pretty constant with little emotion. I think showing any emotion would use of too much energy. I knew it would for me.
The miles continued to come and go and finally a change in scenery. Well, at least for one person. JZ decided to take a fall onto a hill. I thought it was just from not paying attention but soon realized that it was much worse. Too many clothes, no water, and lack of practice finally took their toll on his body. We quickly assessed the situation and began to force water down his throat and have him lose a layer or two of clothing. Funny how water can almost immediately change a person’s behavior.
I took the other boys on a bit while John and Daniel continued to nurse JZ back to health. We didn’t make it far because Taylor found a cool smoke stack that he had to climb. A few pictures later and we were off again. A little rain started to fall but we figured it was just a passing shower. Finally, we made it to the visitor center which is, more or less, a bike shop. Talk about cornering the market.
After scarfing down a few snacks and perusing the bike shop, we took a little rest under the gazebo at the back of the bike shop. Gave me the chance to call the wife and take a few photos. As well, it gave JZ the opportunity to drink another 64 ounces of water (forcibly by the other boys).
Before we knew it, we were off again on the trail but this time we took a small detour that was paved and flat. Felt great but then it decided to rain. Boy was that cold rain! The last ten or so miles with nothing but rain. Look out Fort Frederick, we are coming and we want shelter!
Running about 12 mph was pretty nice without mud puddles or rocks. All of the sudden Taylor decided to tip-toe at 12 mph! Apparently the handle grip came off due to the rain and he lost his grip on the handle bars. Wow! It was amazing he wasn’t in the fetal position! A few minor adjustments and we continued our journey.
Finally we made it to the park. We contacted Lee to bring the trailer and within a few moments he showed up. Now it is time for the feast! I don’t remember much after the
feast. Good cooked food and dry clothes can do that to you after 10 miles of rain. I do remember the cake, though.
Day Three
Holy Crap! Waking up to a wolf spider with a giant egg sack staring you in the face is pretty rude! Oh well, time for more riding. Strangely enough I am looking forward to this. The look on John and Daniel’s face could win them a poker contest. It is very hard to discern if they are enjoying this or hiding pain.
After a hearty breakfast, some tea, some coffee, and a bit of weather checking we were off again to our next location – Big Woods. Most of the ride seemed pretty uneventful other than the few critters we met (some were actually people). Amazing to see a squirrel the size of a house cat. Plenty of deer around early in the morning and we lose sight of them as the day progresses. We saw a few black rat snakes, some geese, and chipmunks, too.
As we progress we came upon a detour that stated it was only six miles but it was on the local roads. Most of us were sure that this would be easier than day two. We could be no farther from the truth. We must have entered hell for bike riders. Up and down and around the bends. We were getting pretty sick of this and this is zapping all of energy. John’s slow steady went to slowest and stopped. All of us had to get off the bikes and walk this was so painful. Finally we reached a downhill section and it told us to get off and walk. Apparently a few idiots went a bit too fast around the sharp bend in the road. At the bottom of the hill just around the bend was our entrance back to the tow path.
We rode on for a few more miles and camp to Big Woods. It was very wooded but we soon realized that there was no water. We all decided to head on towards Horseshoe Bend. Only another 3.8 miles. About a block or so later we passed the water pump. Go figure.
Finally we had arrived at our destination. Hot, tired, and ready for food. Looks like another early night for us. Funny enough the area we were camping in was a flood plain and it felt like warm gum. No matter, we would ooze into our tents.
Most of us were initiated into the bucket club that night. The water pump, a bar of soap, and a cooking pot provided our cleanliness. It was amazing to hear grown men scream.
The boys and I chatted for a bit while John and Daniel started toward dream land. Very shortly after we all were in our tents. Taylor, JB, and JZ decided to keep chatting so I told them to shut it. JB decided he would take my tent stakes out. I was too tired to care and I would deal with him in the morning.
Day Four
Pretty good sleep last night. A few critters decided to come to camp but we were too tired to care. I noticed the skunk that passed around the tarp where JB, JZ, and Taylor slept. Apparently their smell was enough to ward off the skunk.
Breakfast soon came and went and we were on our way again. Next stop was Bald Eagle Island with a lunch break at Harpers Ferry. John and Daniel asked me to go on with the boys being that we kept riding like our pants were on fire. So I did. Little did I realize it would add four extra miles to our trip. We knew we were getting close to our lunch stop because we were paralleling a rode. Crossed under one bridge, two bridges, onward we go. Finally we started to get into deeper woods again. Realizing our mistake we stop and ask a person where Harpers Ferry was. The ex-con look alike told us two mile back the way we came. DOH!
We zoomed to the crosswalk and waited. We waited and waited for Daniel and John but they never arrived. I called Cari and then realized I had a voicemail. It was from Daniel. He was already in Harpers Ferry with their bikes. We ran across the bridge (more like hobbled) and soon met them for lunch. Lunch was great, enough said.
Soon we were on our way again but this time hot fudge sundae doesn’t sit so well. Finally we make it to Bald Eagle Island and notice that someone else has the site. So we decide to go to the next – Calico Rocks. A few minutes later we arrive at Calico Rocks and someone has this site. John speaks to the folks and they allow us to stay with them. A train rides past. This should have been our warning but we heeded not mind to it.
The day is waning and we decide to eat and take our baths. All of the boys are now inducted into the bucket club. None of us like it at all but we smell too bad to ignore it any longer. John and Daniel lay down for the night between train arrivals and the boys and I begin to talk. All of the sudden the alcohol the other campers have kicks in and the big woman is now crazy. Off to bed for us before it gets any weirder. Stupid train!
Day Five
I used to love trains but now I despise them. Every 15 to 30 minutes one would pass us. A little breakfast, a brush of the teeth, and a few trains later we are on our way to the last campsite we will stay at for this trip – Horsepen Branch.
This time the ride is only about 25 miles long and we still don’t take our time. A few snakes later and we are there. It is only 1315. Welp, time for lunch and then a stroll in the Potomac. Lunch was pretty good but the water was so much better. The bottom was muddy with plenty of rocks. Current was pretty good and there were plenty of mussels. The boys decided to collect them while the adults decided to bathe with soap.
After we all got out of the river we cleaned a few clothes and laid them out to dry. The boys decided to cook their mussels. They actually didn’t taste bad (like boiled chicken) but being they were in Matthew’s shoe kind of turned you off to them. As well, the Jet Boil he was using was just cleaned with his dirty sock. Oh well, it adds flavor.
The rest of the night is uneventful. The adults go to bed at 1730 or 1800. In the middle of the night a woman and a man arrive. She is running and he is riding two bikes at one time. A flat tire was the culprit. Daniel and I awoke to see if we could render aid but they had the wrong type of valve stem for our pump. Oh well, back to bed.
Day Six
After a fairly peaceful night we were ready for the end to come, sort of. Twenty plus miles and it would be over. A bit of breakfast, a picture or two and we were off again. Not too far down the path I ran over a stick. The first and only mechanical casualty of the trip. A flat tire caused by a one inch stick. It was amazing that it only took 10 minutes to change it and that every person stopped and worked together to get me back on the trail. Was this because we were almost there or was it more instinctual now? Had we been together so long that we each new our next move? You usually see this between direct family members (spouses, siblings, etc.). Weird how this was working.
The end came quickly. We were relieved but also saddened that it was ending. We arrived in D.C. and we couldn’t find the zero mile marker. I scout out ahead and end up on Wisconsin Avenue. This can’t be right. John asks a pedestrian and he points us in the right direction. Down the hill to Kay street and to the left. Follow the Potomac to the boat shop and it is behind it. We made it! Is this it? The canal met the Potomac with logs and trash. Funny how this ended. It just merged into the river. A patch of greenery and a concrete mile marker. Weird. Just goes to show that sometimes the end is not as good as the journey.
Can I do this at my age? Am I physically fit enough to do this? Why am I doing this? All of these questions were answered along the way. Each person has his own answer and his own reasons for making this trip. Some of us will probably never do this again. Others will. Regardless, we will never forget this week and the friends we made along the way. We all yearn for a hot shower, air conditioning, and something that you don’t boil in a bag.