Journal - Day 4
Around 9:00 AM -
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Back on our bikes a little later than we wanted to -
among the last to leave the campground.
Richard and Linda Sue at one of the many observation points along the Casselman River
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Just outside of Markleton, PA, we ride past the entrance to the Pinkerton Tunnel,
which is permanently closed now due to unsafe conditions in the tunnel.
The CSX railroad company has removed the tops of three other tunnels in the area,
so that the trains can transport double-decker railroad cars.
The company has brought the excavated material back to cover over and
raise the area over the Pinkerton Tunnel.
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We see lots of machinery (backhoes and bulldozers) shaping the terraced landfill.
The terraced landfill at Markleton, PA created from the material
removed from the tops of 3 local CSX railroad tunnels.
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We cross over two beautiful and VERY tall bridges over the Casselman River.
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We stop in Markleton at the snack table set up for us by the local Boy Scouts.
We've gone 13 miles since we left Confluence.
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Lunch is 7 miles later in Rockwood at a beautifully restored old opera house,
that dates back to the 1890s. Best lunch of the entire trip! Yumm!
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After lunch, we head into a drenching rain.
We get to test out the rain covers I made for our panniers.
They work! Our stuff stays dry.
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We learn that riding through the rain isn't that bad
if you know that a warm shower is waiting for you at your destination.
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We cross over the Salisbury Viaduct over the Casselman River valley.
Would have liked to linger to enjoy the view, but we are too wet from the rain.
Excellent bicycle sculptures on the roof
of the trailside bicycle shop on the way to Meyersdale.
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We push on through the next 2+ miles to the town of Meyersdale, PA.
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The rain begins to let up as we arrive.
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The old train station has been turned into a museum and
gift shop commemorating the history of the railroad in the area.
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The Meyersdale locals have a table set up outside the museum
to greet each rider with a goodie bag - toothbrush, toothpaste,
sample bag of locally produced maple candy.
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We head down a large hill through the town to the local ball field
where we will camp out for the last night.
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The rain stops just in time for us to set up our tent.
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We wash the mud off ourselves and our bikes before heading out to dinner,
made and served by the local fire department at the community center.
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We buy a peanut butter & chocolate brownie from a local Amish family
that set up a booth under the ball park pavilion.
The Meyersdale campsite as viewed
from the top of a grassy ridge next to the ball field.
Wind turbines on a ridge near the Meyersdale ball field campsite
Click here to continue to Day 5 of the journal.
