C&O Canal Tow Path

We checked to see if our mail has arrived in Boonsboro but no joy.  Since we are stuck – is that an accurate phrase since we are at a campground with full hookups and going to a campground with…?  Since we are in Williamsport, on the border with West (By God) Virginia and close to the Potomac we decided to check out the C&O canal tow path.  Williamsport has good access at Cushwa’s Brick, Coal and Fuel Oil, which is the location of the visitor’s center.  While the Appalachian Trail gets a lot of press the C&O canal tow path is great hiking 180+ miles of hiking/biking trails with constant river views.

The section here in Williamsport includes a lockkeepers house near an intact lock, and (conditions permitting) boat tours. The path at the visitors center is detoured because of an aqueduct repair project along the canal.  We really are looking forward to returning to Greenbriar next year so we can spend more time exploring this area. 

While out-and-about in Williamsport we came across Doubleday Hill.  Major-General Abner Doubleday (yes the inventor of baseball) was tasked with the defense of this part of Maryland after Virginia seceded from the union.  Doubleday ordered the placement of three siege guns on this hill. 

 Even though he was ordered to Harpers Ferry a few weeks later his name is still associated with the hill 
 I did call my mail forwarding service and they reminded me that regular mail can take up to 10 working days so we could be here until the end of the week.  That may not be so bad since there is a diner at the campground that serves pizza and wings on Thursday nights so I’m thinking “Wing Night!?”

Going to Plan B

We did not get our expected mail today and Greenbrier needs to close to get the water and electric secured. We have a few choices with commercial campgrounds in the area.  On the way to Greenbrier we ended up staying at Jellystone for a night.  At $108 we decided to skip Jellystone in case we need to stay for a couple of days.  We opted for Hagerstown/Antietam Battlefield KOA in Williamsport. As expected the 13 mile jaunt went without a hitch.  Check in at the KOA was quick and friendly.  The access to the KOA is deceiving; it cuts you through a narrow access road on private property before you actually get to the KOA.   

The turn in to the KOA gives you a ‘low class’ impression but once you hit the office the campground opens into a beautiful facility. The campground is well maintained and bordered by a creek and a cattle farm. 

 I explained to the hostess at check in that we were only planning one night but may need another, depending on the mail.  She was very understanding and put a hold on our site for the second night.
 Our youngest son and his wife had come to visit us for the weekend so we overcooked a bit.  I was planning to us the leftover meat from that dinner for sandwiches and heat up some store chicken tortellini soup we bought at Saveway.  Lori voted for Cracker Barrel – so Cracker Barrel it is.  Cracker Barrel has a new country fried turkey with green bean casserole and I gave that a try.  It could use more gravy but it is definitely Cracker Barrel quality food.  So It looks like it will be soup and sandwiches at Assateague.
After getting back from dinner I discovered I had no water pressure.  I check the pressure at the spigot and it is good.  I check the pressure at the outlet of my back flow preventer and it is also good.  I have good pressure at the connection to the Flagstaff – so what is the problem?  I turn on the pump and I have pressure at the faucets.  After doing several valve manipulations in the pass through and checking flows it dawns on me – I hooked the water up to the anti-freeze connection.  Do they put the antifreeze and the city water connection so close just to make me look this stupid!

Breaking Camp at Greenbrier

Tonight is our last night at Greenbrier, at least that’s the way it is planned.  We are still waiting for one of Lori’s prescriptions to show up at general delivery.  If it doesn’t show up tomorrow we will probably sortie over to the Hagerstown KOA.  Greenbrier has let us know we do not have to be out until Wednesday (10/31).  However, I know they are anxious to get the water secured do to the below normal temperatures and our leaving would help them speed it up.  We could also disconnect and dry camp here but I’d prefer to stay on utilities since Assateague will put a strain on the batteries for a couple of weeks..  We were going to hold on to our issued equipment until Monday morning, especially since the host in the adjacent loop is a a single woman and she was concerned about being in the park alone.  When she decided to turn in her gear tonight we followed suit.  So tomorrow we will get the Flagstaff set to go on the road before we head to the Boonsboro Post Office.  If Lori’s prescriptions are in we’ll hook up and head to Assateague – if not we’ll decide on plan B.
Since this is ‘breaking camp day’ we go out to dinner.  We have been eyeing Mountain Gate Family Restaurant.  This is a huge place that accommodates tourist busses.  There is a regular menu and a buffet that includes pork roast, roast, turkey, roast beef, and sirloin steak.  We both decided on the buffet.  You know you are in the south when you get to the dressing end of the salad bar and one of them is labeled ‘bacon’ – while not something I’d get all the time it was good.

The other unusual thing about the restaurant was that the place mats had four versions of Grace on them.  The buffet selections were diverse, though not always labeled but everything I got in three trips through the line was good.

Go Navy Beat Army!

 

Navy Bear and Marine Bear Ready for Some Football

Being retired military I occasionally get to support those currently serving.  Earlier in the week we were at Fort Detrick in Frederick and noticed signs advertizing an Army-Navy flag football game.  I try to take advantage of any time I can get to root for the Blue & Gold.  The flag football game was well organized and well attended for a noon Friday event.  In true military fashion the all the pregame festivities were wrapped up, the anthem was played (FYI - no one took a knee) and the kickoff occurred exactly at noon. There were free burgers, brats, water and hot chocolate and someone even brought Bill the Goat decked out in his navy blanket and blue & gold horns!  At half time there was a 4-man litter carry competition (Navy won) and a tug-of-war (Navy won). Except for a brief 13 – 2 Army lead, Navy controlled the game throughout and walked away with a 30 -3 victory, their third straight.  It was nice to be there for a navy sweep of all events.