Friday, May 7, 2021
Temperature, Low 41 Degrees; High, 61 Degrees
We Tried, We Really Tried To Go Sightseeing
More Family Time
Well, never did get to the blog last night since we had company for supper. Our son, Adam, who is on the midnight shift this week stopped over for supper. Guess what we had for supper?
Of course, chicken cutlets! Our two kids request these ever time they come for a meal. Can you guess what also went home with him after his visit? Yup, the left over chicken cutlets! I believe I’m going to go join him for supper in the near future so I can have a few of those left overs. All in all it was great having him over for supper and spending some time with him again. Amanda’s turn today. Yup, the grand dogs are coming too! Time to pick up all the rugs.
This is our weather today and it looks like for the next several days. At least we’re warm and comfortable and dry inside. But, I would really like to get outside and get some work done. I wanted to clean all the lockers, take care of the water softener and a couple of other items but for the foreseeable future it is not to be.
Yesterday, we decided to go sightseeing. Once again, though, it was not to be. Due to COVID everything is still locked up tight. I can’t help but wonder if this pandemic had been properly handled in the beginning how much better off we would be at this point in time. No doubt a whole lot of lives, at the very least, could have been saved. How unfortunate.
Yet, give me a computer and a mouse and the internet and I can discover quite a bit.
For instance, our intent was to visit the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O)Canal Museum and the canal itself. Of course the Museum was closed.
Yet, this is what I discovered after doing a bit of internet research: The C&O was one of a network of canals built during the 18th and 19th century to form water highways for commercial traffic. The C&O is 184.5 miles long and parallels the unnavigable Potomac River. It links Washington D.C and Cumberland, Maryland. It operated for over 100 years and was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac as coal, lumber and agricultural products floated down the canal to market. However, in the end it could not compete with Baltimore and Ohio railroad which ran parallel to the canal. In 1924 the canal ceased operation.
In the 1950’s there were plans to bulldoze the canal to make way for a super highway through Maryland. However, thanks to Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas the canal was saved and eventually, with the committed work of many others, became a National Park in 1974.
The canal today. On the left are the old railroad tracks. On the right is the original tow path. When the park was open it was possible to take a launch boat tour on the canal.
This is the original rail lift bridge. When down, it enabled cars of coal to cross over the canal. It was then lifted to allow boats to move along the canal. When the canal ceased operation it was left in the down position. In 2016 it was lifted for the last and final time and left in the up position. There is now, as you can, stairs and a walkway built on the old rail bed that allow one to cross back and forth from the visitor center to the tow path.
Cushway’s Coal and Brick. This warehouse played a significant role in the development of both Williamsport and the C&O Canal. This warehouse was the principle site dealing in the retail and wholesale business of coal, iron, flour, cement and plaster for more than 100 years. In front of it is what is known as the turning basin. Coal would have been swept from the upper loading door of the warehouse into waiting canal boats waiting to make their way up and down the canal.
The Conococheague Aqueduct. Aqueduct’s are water bridges that allow the canal to pass over creeks that pass into the Potomac River. The Conococheague Aqueduct was built from 1833 to 1835 in order to span the The Conococheague Creek. The Conococheague Aqueduct consisted of three equal 60 foot spans and it extended196 feet from one side to the other. In April, 1920 a canal boat broke through the upstream wall of the aqueduct and fell into the creek below. Repairs were made and it continued in operation from them until the canal was closed. Since no attention was paid to it after then it continued to deteriorate and was soon considered unsafe for use. In 2017 a project was begun to restore it which was completed in 2019. Canal boats can now safely cross over it once again.
I did find one plaque along the tow path that described what life would have been like on the canal.
So, that was our Thursday. Sure wish we could have gotten into the museum but such is life. It was still a great day out. Maybe, when we come back here in June it will be open.
The day, however, wasn’t over. Keeping in the nautical theme.
I, for one, have a real soft spot in my heart for this fast food restaurant.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait as long as this guy for our food!
I had the salmon and shrimp. Delish!
Ms. Barbara is not a fan of fish so she had the chicken platter. She gave it two thumbs up.
That was our Thursday on The Road of Retirement. We had a great day out and enjoyed our time together as always. Supper was even better because our son, Adam, was here. Today, Amada and the grand dogs are now here so this also should be an interesting day in so many ways! We are truly two of the most blessed and fortunate people in the world.
Thanks for taking the time to read our blog. We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.
These are the voyages of Elvira and her two intrepid travelers. Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.
See you on down the road!
"On The Road of Retirement" 