Arriving into Cleveland around 4am, and riding back to Wooster 79 miles.
Home, leaned the Bianchi against the garage and ran into the house to see Zander, I missed him. What a great trip! I can not wait for the next one.

Day 12 Last day riding the GAP. First stop was Great Falls, what a amazing site to see with the river and the working locks. While there, they did bring a boat through the lock. I have never seen this done before, it was a learning experience on how they fill the lock up with the boat in it. Once in Washington, we just did a quick tour and into the train station, both agreed that D.C. would have to be a separate vacation to take it all in. The train ride was my first that I can remember since riding the train as a kid in Durango. This was awesome that we had two beds and showers available to us and we used the right away.

Day 11, 52 miles and only 500' of climbing. Left Harpers Ferry on a beautiful morning, sunshine, blue skies and great picture taking day in the downtown area. We had to carry bicycle down the hiker stairs, to get back on the C&O Towpath for the ride south to D.C.
Along the way to D.C. were some bridges, they were rebuilt for the path recently and very unique, back when the canal was built the bridges were there to hold the water in place over the ravines so the boats could go over the valley. Set up camp at the last hiker/bike campsite into Washington D.C. at mile marker 18.

A zero day, well maybe. We stayed in Harpers Ferry, then spent the morning site seeing around town, stopping that the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to find Jamie's picture in the hiker book. The afternoon I spent much needed time at the pool, after riding through hurricane Fred's remains, my toes never healed up. After riding with no socks for two days my shoes just ate my skin away. It was a great place for a zero day, the pool was awesome and no one around for the most part. Total miles for the day was 5, and ending the day with a campfire.

Day 9 was from Hancock to Harpers Ferry, total of 67 miles and 997' climbing. The start of the day was rough, waking up and eating breakfast then I noticed my bike had a flat tire. The first flat tire of the trip and it actually was a one of the best times to have a flat, if we could choose when to have one. It was a long day for us in the saddle for a change, we pushed through to a KOA for a shower and laundry after  carried our bikes up the stairs to the walking path into Harpers Ferry.

The start of day 8 in Cumberland and on the C&O Towpath at last. The day was long and hot but well worth the views. Walking thought the Paw Paw tunnel was absolutely amazing! It was just mind boggling that this was built back then, just to save 5 miles or so off the canal length and almost bankrupted the canal system. Total miles on day 8 were 68 and 400' of climbing. Over shot the miles because of no dinner, stopped in a town named Hancock just for a quick grocery pick up. It was getting late and afraid of running out of day light so off we went to the next hiker/bike campsite. At about 1:30am I was woken up by people walking around the site, kinda freaked me out since I had no cell service on most the trip. After a half hour I was able to noticed a reflection of a bicycle and seen they were setting up camp, finally I could go back to sleep, knowing my bike was going to be there, come morning.

Day 7 Meyersdale to Cumberland, the end of the GAP trail and now onto the C&O Trail. Miles for the day, 39 and only 912 of climbing, it's all down hill now. Bridge and tunnel day and the GAP was in great shape, the volunteers do a wonderful job keeping the trail well maintained. Stayed the night at the YMCA, free for most part, but since I was a member back home they ran my membership and let us use the facility. Showered and acutely swam in the pool some before leaving.

Packed up camp and headed to the trail, the shorter route though the park this time. As I leaned my bike up to take a picture by the sign saying campsites up this path, it went over a stone wall and dropped down 3 to 4' in a ditch, there was suppose to be a bike in the picture of me over my shoulder. The river was busy with people rafting as we crossed over for the second time. 45 miles and 1200' of climbing that day, stayed the night in Meyersdale at a pay campsite for a shower.

Day 4, Fred was almost done and gone. Another short day to Ohiopyle State Park just 25 miles and 925' climbing. Pulled into camp the wrong way, should have enter off the trail but we went into town first and up some very steep roads just to enter the park. Then it started raining harder as we pulled into our campsite, we were standing under plastic for awhile to stay dry before setting up camp.

Day 4 on the Great Allegheny Passage we did 31 miles and 230' of climbing, the heat and climbing days with heavy bags sank in. Stopped at a KOA for a shower and laundry, plus hurricane Fred was knocking on the door. Did some shopping at the GAP Conservancy and purchased raffle tickets for a bicycle. Fred came late night and didn't stop until late morning so we started back on the trail after things dried out some.