I saw two Snapping turtles on today's ride. This one was parked in the road before I arrived at the trail.
The town of Marlinton sports a colorful depot. Several years ago, it burned and now has been rebuilt.
The station also has a water tower with filler. There are other opportunities for (boiler) water along the trail. Usually they are creeks the train tracks cross over. These spots are signed with milepostlike concrete signs with a "W".
Leaving Marlinton headed north to Cass, the river is on my left for half the distance. At the horseshoe bend, the trail crosses the river.
Riding along here a Black bear, completely hidden in the tall vegetation, darted across the trail just 10 feet in front of me. Who was startled more? I can't say.
Goat beard was blooming in spots all the way to Cass.
I don't have photos of the horseshoe bend bridge and tunnel since I made a video of it, thinking it would be far better than photos. However, one should have realized the video was too big, in databyte units, to upload to my blog. And I just don't have the time and know how to put it somewhere else and link it. So, accept this; it is cool. Dark inside too. Looking on a map, the river actually does a big S turn, so it is a double inverted horseshoe bend. Of course, I knew I'd be bicycling through it and, of course, I forgot to bring a light.
Mileposts come in handy
This little community of Clover Lick has this cutest little depot, all restored like new. Clover Lick is way to small to have a post office. There are about a dozen homes here. There is also a bridge across the river. Although, if you sat here for an hour, you might not see a car.
One thing that was in abundance today - flowers. The most showy and numerous of all - Multiflora Rose. Look up "National Invasive Species Information Center". You'll probably see a photo of one. After declaring a temporary moratorium on despising MFR, I enjoyed seeing so many in bloom. And was glad they were here and not in my yard. Nothing will tear you up more that MFR.
The whole town of Cass is a WV State Park. How did that happen? It is a tiny town of just company houses, all painted white. The Cass Railroad is also incorporated into the State Park. A steam engine pulls a few passenger cars of tourist up the mountain on an old logging railroad. The engine might actually attain 10 mph in spots. Maybe not.
As the trail reaches the end, you pass a graveyard of old railroad cars, engines and equipment. The rusting hulks are being swallowed by vegetation.
It was a fabulous ride.
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