Fall Colors on Uwharrie Float

Low Water Bridge at Ophir is one of my most recognizable Randolph County scenes. Here we are ready to push the kayaks into the water and head downstream for our 6.8 mile float to the Rt 109 bridge. Later in the day, this spot will see more activity. We saw a fly fisherman just upriver and two gold diggers - one legal and one illegal.

River level was a bit less than we normally paddle in but we managed, bumping most of the way downriver. Along the way, we encountered the normal quota of Great Blue Herons, ducks too distant to identify, kingfishers, turtles and one lone Green Heron.

Lunchstop Rock, above, is a great example of Carolina Bluestone. One needs to get up close to see the great colors. Here it just looks like rock stained the color of the river.

There was a nice dose of Autumn color along the riverbanks and that gorgeous blue sky. Our float lasted 3:10 but would have taken much longer had we been in canoes due to the low water level.

Oct 8 Sunset at Moore's Knob

Friends of Sauratown Mountains met following Hanging Rock State Park's 75th Anniversary festivities. On our agenda was a hike to Moore's Knob to catch the sunset. We followed the 1.6 mile trail originating at the Bath House and through the campground, up the steps. Balanced Rock is just below the summit.

We watched the sun disappear and then give way to some nice color. We could hear music emanating from the barn of a large estate far below us. 

Click on the photo below and you'll be able to see Sauratown Mountain and Pilot Mountain. They look side by side here.

The walk down was partially illuminated by the moon but we still needed flashlights to make our way.

Oct 8 Hanging Rock State Park's 75th Anniversary

Hanging Rock State Park, one of the gems of the North Carolina state park system, celebrated a special occasion, a 75th anniversary. In April 1936 over 3000 acres were donated to the state for creation of the park. All current staff and all former staff, including the CCC boys, were invited. Events began with a pig picking and covered dish picnic followed by a short presentation and awards ceremony given by current park Superintendent Dave Cook. Awards were given to staff for longest serving: 27 years, farthest travel: Idaho, youngest to live in the park: from birth, and a few other longest, oldest, youngest. 

Souvenirs were available. You can still drop by the park visitors center and buy one.  

Following the picnic, the crowd made their way the the National Historic Register Bath House built by the CCC, next to the 12 acre lake also constructed by the CCC. Historian extraordinaire, Harley Jolley entertained everyone. Ninety one years young, Harley worked the crowd, storytelling at its best. Former staff members told war stories, some funny and some serious. Finally all the talking ceased and fiddles came out.

Afternoon ran into evening and guests left the park, except for a few who stayed to camp and spend another day in their old haunting grounds.

Oct 1 Great Allegheny Passage

Today, normally a big GAP day, Saturday in October but we hardly see anyone this day. I suspect the fact it rained all day, temps started at 50, dove to 40 and wind picked up, may have had something to do with it. It was a day of highlights, the 1908' Salisbury Viaduct, 909' Keystone Viaduct, Eastern Continental Divide at 2392', Mason Dixon Line, 3294' Big Savage Tunnel and the 957' Borden Tunnel. By the time we reached the Big Savage Tunnel, the wind started to howl.

Downhill finally. We had been riding uphill for 116 miles and here is the downhill. What a welcome sight.

Will is sporting new booties. It was not raining in the tunnel so we could get a few pictures.

Finally, the station at Frostburg and the end of our ride. We cancelled plans to ride the final 15 miles downhill into Cumberland when the forecast said rain and 40 degrees. I had no more dry clothes to wear anyway.

Sept 30 Great Allegheny Passage

Early morning in Connellsville. The day looks clear now but would alternate between blue and overcast skies. We did end up the last mile in the rain but avoided it all day otherwise.

This was our relaxed day. We had only 28 miles to go. A long stop in Ohiopyle allowed time to hike the river loop and have lunch. Today, we met the 40 odd person group of American Adventure, heading from Washington to Pittsburgh.

This is the waterfall almost downtown Ohiopyle. Will figured out how to run it in his kayak. He says it is only a class 3!

River gnomes look after Cucumber Rapid in the loop.

Sept 29 Great Allegheny Passage

Here we are in Homestead Pa, milepost 139, getting ready to ride. The GAP is headed to Pittsburgh to the right of the cars and Cumberland to the left. Presently, there is a one mile uncompleted section just north of Homestead which prevents rides into and out of Pittsburgh. We started about 8:45 in the morning for a 52 mile day to Connellsville.

The main reason for starting in Homestead was to see the industrial side of this part of Pennsylvania. The 6 mile ride into McKeesport, although along the Monongahela,  also followed a set of active Railroad tracks with both active and closed industrial buildings. A you can see from the bridge above, much money has been spent on this trail.

Not far from McKeesport, the trail follows the Youghiogheny River and the industrial setting gives way to forest. Sometimes you see the same scene for miles. The river is still a flatwater waterway at this point.

As we approach Connellsville, we go under this glass archway. One of many art pieces along the trail. Connellsville was once the coke capital. Coke being the purified state of coal. There were 35,000 coke ovens in this area at one time. We saw several along the trail. many of the ovens were owned by Henry Clay Frick, a millionaire by 1881.