Biking in Lynchburg

Last week we stopped in downtown, waterfront Lynchburg to eat lunch while passing through. There were bicycles passing by on a trail just outside the restaurant. Upon further investigation, it turns out Lynchburg has a first class trail system, through town, along the James River and beyond. About 10 miles are paved. An old RR tunnel is lighted. Two trestles connect Lynchburg to Percival Island and the far side of James River. I watched canoes and kayaks negociate some easy rapids from one trestle.

The downtown area is going through some renovation, especially riverfront. Lynchburg is an active railroad town. I saw several trains run along the river during my short visit.

Tinker Cliffs, McAfee Knob and a snake

What a gorgeous day to hike. Normally, a mid July hike would be a hot and humid death march but not today. Dry, breezy and moderate temperatures made this wonderful afternoon with the Piedmont Hikers. Just north of Roanoke we accessed the AT via an approach trail passing through overgrown horse and cow pasture gradually working our way up. About noon we reached the Tinker Cliffs, a series of rock outcropping affording expansive views of the valley below and nearby tectonic disruptions neatly forming many small ridges and valleys.

From here it was a nice walk along the AT to McAfee Knob where we disturbed this slumbering serpent. Eventually the snake slithered into a crack below a rock and disappeared. More great views here, south and Roanoke.

Along the way we saw numerous Indian Pipes. One of which I examined and noticed a pink tint. After a bit of google research, I don't think this was Pine Sap as it just didn't have enough pink. There were also 2 great examples of the orange/yellow polypore known as "chicken of the woods".

Again, it was a great afternoon and hike.

Thornburg Farm in the Uwharries

About 15 years ago, the National Forest Service acquired the Thornburg farm and property, adding a piece to the Birkhead Wilderness. Today is the farm is slightly overgrown but still maintained. The front field contains sunflowers, an unusual sight for this area.

I met several hikers from the Bear Creek Hiking club for a short 4 mile out and back on the Thornburg Trail. As we passed through the last field into the wood, the trail turns right off the timber road for a short loop passing an outcropping and back to the timber road. One of the fellows inquired as to why the trail went here. Our hike leader replied it was probably routed up to these rocks. That was just what I intended 15 years ago.

Biking on the Montour Trail

The Montour Trail is a multi-use trail, eventually connecting the Pittsburgh airport to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. On this ride, with my cycling buddy, Jim, we started at the Ohio River in Coraopolis and rode 22 miles to the small town of Venice. The start was packed with all sorts of folks out enjoying the trail but as we moved on, the crowd thinned and we were alone for much of the ride. The highlights of this section is the McDonald Trestle and the Enlow Tunnel. I look forward to continueing on this trail someday.

Fallingwater

After our bicycle ride on the GAP, we took an extended tour of Frank Lloyd Wright designed Fallingwater.

The tour took over 2 1/2 hours and covered the entire house and guest house. Wright designed this house right over a waterfall, making it the focal point of the home. He focused on common living spaces in the home. Other areas like bedrooms and the kitchen are very nice but are built more for function. Another Wright trademark is the obscure main entrance, designed to draw no attention.

More Fallingwater photos

A short ride on the Great Allegheny Passage

A couple years I bicycled on the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) from Cumberland to Confluence and back. So, this ride was a short continuation from Confluence to Ohiopyle and back. The rain held off for the most part and it was a great ride. The trail follows the Youghiogheny River the entire way. It was a heavily used section of the river. We saw many rafts and kayaks in the river. One large group of kayakers looked to be quite young.

The ride was primarily through Ohiopyle State Park and thus, no development. Once in the town of Ohiopyle, there is a restored railroad station, a number of snack shacks and small restaurants. Sounds and looks wonderful but I had one of the worst and overpriced meals at the Ohiopyle House Cafe. The trail continues over the Youghiogheny River twice in about a 1/4 mile yet the river actually travels several miles in hugh loop here. We stopped on the second trestle and watched rafts negociate a tricky rapid one by one.

More Photos of this ride

Slow Food

This fellow is enjoying a nice meal.