July 7, 2024 – Lagging Behind but Forging Ahead

    The trail is uphill from D.C. all the way to the eastern continental divide, which is just passed Frostburg. I'm here in Meyersdale, which is about five miles west of the eastern continental divide. I'm sitting on a bench in the shade, writing away the heat of the day. I digress. From the North Mountain campground, I rode mostly uphill all day on July 5^th. I met Mr. David, a former professional baseball player, who is riding from Washington to Omaha, Nebraska. He is a very kind man that was in the restaurant business after his professional baseball career. We talked briefly, then David went on his way. 

    I resumed my ride shortly thereafter, winding and twisting up the Potomac River to my next camp site...Stickpile Hill campground. I camped by myself that night, but unfortunately, some other cyclists told me that there would be a thunderstorm later that evening. The thunderstorm came around 4:00am the following morning. I had everything under cover, including myself, my bike, and my gear. They only thing that got soaked was my shoes. They were accidentally left outside the awning of my lean-to tarp shelter. The eve before the storm, I took a bath in the shallows by the smooth, rocky shore of the Potomac River. Ahhh...how refreshing! I actually took two baths; one before dinner and one after dinner. Both times, I just sat in the cool water and washed with a bar of soap. I really enjoyed the scenery of this majestic national landmark. I skipped some river stones along the surface of the river. I got a few to skip several times before plunging into the watery depths. Overall, a great eve of relaxation and a great meal of Top Ramen and PB&J. The rain in the morning was relaxing as well. I slept like a baby that night. I didn't even realize my shoes were getting soaked until the rain stopped. Welp...wet feet riding day ahead!

    I loaded my gear and hopped back out onto the trail. More pedaling...uphill. I went through the Paw Paw Tunnel early on in the day and took a pit stop at the Liberty gas station in town. I met a few folks along the way, but the names are now only vaguely familiar if not already forgotten. I kept on pedaling up the woodlands that surround the Potomac until I reached the river's North and South fork. I met two older brothers (Bill and David) and they shared information about lodging, food, and pit stops ahead. Bill just had double by-pass surgery on his heart, and now his younger brother has convinced him to ride bicycles again. Now, they ride once a week or more.

    As I was coming into the city of Cumberland, sprawling woodland and farmland turned suburban and industrial. Finally, on the horizon, I saw the city ahead. I stopped to take a photo, and as soon as I snapped the shot, David, the former professional baseball player, sped by me. He had his pedalin' legs in high gear, high-tailing it to the city. He was going to stay at the Ramada Inn for two nights in downtown Cumberland, MD. I, from the kindness of his freely given information, would join him there at the Ramada Inn.

    After being on the road for five days, relaxing in an air-conditioned room with a cozy king-sized bed was outstanding. I ordered two medium 2-topping pizzas from Domino's and ate every last bite between dinner and breakfast. I took a long shower, did laundry, lubed my bicycle chain, charged my gadgets, and reorganized my gear. I ate breakfast at the hotel in the morning, and I felt completely rejuvenated. For most of the day yesterday, I was a tourist in Cumberland. I ran into Richard (the queer cyclist I met earlier on on the trail) and he convinced me to check out the C&O Canal exhibit at the Maryland Railway Station, and he told me to check out the Allegheny Museum. So, I did. I also went to a bike shop to buy another bicycle bottle holder (one of mine already broke on the trail), and I went to a CVS Pharmacy. I was going to go to the Rustic Ramen for lunch, but it was closed and the owner of the establishment had taken a trip to Transylvania. So, I ate at a street taco joint instead! The taco restaurant had really tasty, scrumptious tacos!

    Afterward, I shot some more photos of the city and hopped onto the start of the Great Allegheny Passage. Twenty miles of uphill to the Mason/Dixon line (Pennsylvania/Maryland border), the Big Savage Tunnel, and the eastern continental divide! This ride has very beautiful country, and I took some photos. I slept at the Mason/Dixon line. It was a great cool, breezy night of sleep. I've only rode about Ten miles today. I stopped in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. A man named Moe told me about a Sheetz Convenient Store. I went down there, bought some drinks and some candy. As I was walking back up Main Street, I overhead a delightfully talented choir singing at Cornerstone Apostolic Church. I decided to attend the church this morning. Several members of the church shook my hand and made me feel at home. The message was about accepting Jesus just as he is. For He accepts us just as we are. The message was from Mark chapter 4 concerning the account when Jesus calms the storm while on the Sea of Galilee. Overall, it was a great experience. After the sermon, one of the pastors came up and shared the Gospel with me. He was trying to convert me, but I assured him that I know that I know that know I am saved. He really clarified some things for me, and I appreciate his unwavering persistence to share the accurate Gospel account. Since church, I've walked back up to my bicycle. I may go get some food from somewhere. It's the heat of the day now. I might as well not ride until 4:00pm or so. I'll ride until the sun starts tuckin' tail to the horizon. Blessings to you, dear reader, and God speed!