Day 8, Mon: Williamsport, MD to Harpers Ferry, WV - 41 miles



This day was a different kind of experience and very challenging.  We started out in the rain, although the rain did stop by mid-morning.  It was a day of constant and continual dodging of puddles, partially protruding large stones, large tree roots, and of course lots of mud.

Mud covered bag.

Big Slackwater

In recent decades this section of the towpath suffered major damage and became impassable due to severe erosion and multiple floods.  In 2012 the National Park Service completed the largest engineering project in its history here.  2.7 miles of the towpath were renovated and eliminated the need for the long standing detour.  The $19 million restoration project included drilling into bedrock and erecting a concrete pathway along the river.

 

 

 

These are the remains of an ingenious water control system.  Although sealed shut today, the lock once allowed boat passage between the canal and the river, protected the canal from flooding, and provided another path for river water to feed the canal.

This 1904 photo shows the lock in operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dam 4, one of the finest masonry dams of its day, was built in 1856 after the first rubble and brush dam proved vulnerable to flood damage.   The dam created Big Slackwater, a pool reaching 13 miles upriver, where we have already traveled.  Because of rocky cliffs that reached down to the water's edge, canal boats entered the river at the inlet lock located 1 mile upstream.  Dams and inlet locks were the engineering devices used to provide water for the canal.

 Today was a day of many cave sightings.

  As we followed the Potomac all day today, we crossed over from MD to WV.

Getting to Harpers Ferry to spend the night was a little bit of a challenge.  Mighty Man had to carry both bicycles weighted down with baggage and mud up a spiral staircase so that we could cross the foot bridge into town.

 

Our place of refuge for the night, EconoLodge, had a hose available for us to wash down our bikes and bags.

 

 

We skipped our lunch stop today, since it was another switchback into the only lunch town available and we don't do switchbacks.  We just used our snack foods and kept on pedaling since we were eager to arrive at our destination.  Papa John's delivery service came through for us tonight as well as a motel washer and dryer.