Lets just say that while the hostel was clean and convenient, it probably is not what we would normally look for in the future. Rockford was a pretty little town and our bunk beds were adequate. The check in process was good and the idea that one person would invest so much in three buildings on this bike trail is impressive---but Rockford, well, it is small.
Then we decided to drive to Somerset for dinner and the gps found a most interesting route. Thought we were going to Brigadoon and it wasn't the once every 100 years it appeared. We got to the restaurant finally but it was closed so we wet to the chain across the street and had a really good meal. Back to Rockford and to bed...but here came the trains through the backyard and they don't slow much for Rockford. Anyway we got through the night and breakfast and were back on the trail at 8:20. All downhill for 47 miles or so and we turned the speed up to take advantage of the ride. Wow, it was beautiful. We followed a stream most of the way..lots of trout fisherman, floaters, kayakers and canooers (is that a word?) on the route. Most of the way we were in a rhododendron forest and they were in bloom. They built some world class bridges over roads and streams on this run using the railroad bridge structures. They are impressive, some more than a quarter mile long and very high. Ralph doesn't do well with high so he focussed on the roadbed missing great views. Wynn let the Scott bike roll down the old train bed and we made a short stop for fruit and beverages. Our first stop was at Confluence where we rode into town looking for a cup of coffee. We found one and also found a neat bike shop where Ralph and Wynn took a test ride on a recumbent bike. Never did find out how they liked it. I went inside, found a t-shirt but decided that 4 was enough already from previous stops, and visited with the proprietor. His wife noticed that I had a bit of blood on the back of my leg and offered an antiseptice towel and band-aid. She said she likes helping all the trail riders who come by. Then we relaxed in the town square park. Still no phone service, but it was a neat little town with the trail and the river providing what appeared to be a large part of their economy. There were tons of fisherman in the river as we crossed the bridge and turned north on the trail through the Ohiopyle park. Our next stop was about noon at Ohiopyle station in the Ohiopyle park. The town was full of visitors and was very crowded. We ate our sandwiches we had packed from the supplies Barbara had gotten. She by the way spent the morning driving to Connellsville to practice her putting before getting to the motel. More on the motel follows!
Anyway leaving Ohiopyle, which by the way is one of those parks that seems so natural that you are really surprised to suddenly come upon the small town, we dodged through a ton of folks on and off bikes, most oblivious to those of us who really were going someplace, until we got about 5 miles down the road. Then back up to speed until we got about 3 miles from Connellsville where we stopped to finish the fruit in our bags and headed toward town. We passed a stream that was red...later realized we were in a steel mill area and the water was red because of the high iron content. The rock formations were massive, there were rapids in the river, huge boulders were dotted with towels and young people sunning and swimming. We were nearing civilization. Into Connellsville we rode...these towns come upon you quickly out here on the trail.
Since the 5th was the monday holiday nothing looked open. Some people gave us directions to the motel and off we went. Traffic was awful and very agressive so to the sidewalks we went for our protection. Up hills through an area that didn't look too appealing and there it was, just above and across the street from a super Wal*Mart, our home for the night, the Melody Motor Lodge. And there was Barbara at a picnic table out front with fruit, cheese and beverages. Lets just say the Melody Motor Lodge was a great place many years ago. We like first floor rooms and that's good because that's all they have. Remember how it was in the 50's? Office in the center with the rooms to the right and the left and then at the ends back toward the adjacent highway. Inside bedspreads with flowers and pink and green tiles in the bathroom. Where is Elvis?
However, very clean and very well maintained so we are pleased. And we found out our thrilling bike ride from the trail could have been so much easier and shorter. The trail paralells the back of the motel so tomorrow morning we'll just jump on the trail and go to our final destination.
Wynn and I washed our bikes, I found a McDonald's to post this for you and Tom and Ralph are trying to find a good German restaurant to go to for our last night on the road.
I am sort of melancholy. This has been so much fun and it is almost over.
I hope you are enjoying this and only wish I could post pix but still don't have the right cable. I'll make it up when I get back to NC.
In the meantime, remember a couple of things: I am doing this ride to honor my friend Jack Salt and to raise funds for Jack and Bobbye's fund to benefit the Winston-Salem Symphony Endowment fund so call Mary Beth Johnson at the Symphony to make your gift. I and Jack will appreciate it, and thanks to everyone who has helped on this ride including all the guys at Clemmons Bicycle Shop and especially to Barbara who made this ride lots of fun.
We finish tomorrow just east of Pittsburgh near McKeesport. Then Ralph and Tom head back to Philly and Harrisburg respectively, we drop Wynn at the airport for his flight back to St Petersburg and Barb and I turn the truck loose for the drive down I79 and I77 toward Bermuda Run.
See you.
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