Today was a new feeling because we are going through places we've never been before, riding a bike trail we've never ridden before. I love this Great Allegheny Passage. Smooth crushed limestone, no mud even in the wet. Today we crossed the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania and also we crossed the Eastern Continentsl Divide. It should be mostly downhill from here to the Mississippi.
After climbing a 2% grade for about 20 miles, we were glad to go back to 12-14 mph instead of 8.
Some towns have obviously benefited from the trail traffic, with nice new retail shops. Rockwood, where we are staying tonight, Is quite depressed. The entire town smells of mildew. Peeling paint, but American flags everywhere!
Our B&B is functional but modest.
Trains run right through the town, day and night.
I have to say, we feel so encouraged when people comment on the blog. One has the feeling that our friends are sharing the journey and encouraging us forward. I am surprised how uplifting it is when Marie says "Peggy commented" or "Victor commented".
One more observation: I am reminded of how important the weather is to us. Like sailors, aviators, and farmers, we are out in it all the time and it really affects our experience. The sun, the shade, a breeze on a hot day, or the cool mist ang fog we rode through today. I know you don't want to be reading a weather report so just take a look at what we're wearing and judge by that.