DER ADLER
Another great week of duplicity, intrigue, espionage and deceit; all within my activity. I have no idea what takes place elsewhere in the true intelligence community. If I were not a tax payer maybe I would not get as frustrated at this disaster but it is a waste of the taxpayer's money. I am delighted that I have as little time as I do before I retire.
The weather this weekend cannot be any different than last weekend. Last weekend we were driving in snow and sludge with below freezing temperatures most of the day. This weekend it is blue skies with temperatures in the 80s. I was darn right hot walkin this afternoon.
I washed Tiny this morning and it took an hour just to get the first few coats of dirt and salt off. I need to spend as much time again before it is truly clean and presentable. I probably will have to do a wax job as well as all protection was removed. Mimi wants to stay home next weekend to clean house and play in the garden, I will probably spend the weekend working on Tiny and working the Pentagon Pacesetters hikes next weekend.
Day 1 - March 29 - State College Pennsylvania - Mileage 285 - Cumulative 285
We were off on schedule this morning, leaving exactly at 0700. Of course I had washed the worst of Tiny as the sun was up at 0630 and I could almost see what I was doing. Later, in the non forgiving full daylight, it was evident that I didn't do the greatest job but at least we could see where I didn't do such a great job. Of course Mimi made remarks about this and I had to tell her it was her fault - she wasn't there to supervise. Tiny had been in the shop and I was anxious to determine if she is working as she should The primary battery on the engine had been replaced because there was a dead cell and there is a carburetor or timing problem causing the engine to blow back when under a full load such as climbing a long hill at relatively high speed.
The first hike was at Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary near Lothian Maryland. It is less than fifty miles from our house and didn't take all that long to get there. I almost missed the turnoff from the main road but just saw a glimpse of a walk sign. Jug Bay is the upper reaches of the Patuxent River and of course considered part of the Chesapeake Bay Estuarine. The parkland is laid out as rustically as possible and a great job has ben done. I only saw one road in the park and this leads to the only remaining occupied house in the sanctuary. The land had been privately owned and I suspect that the land was dedicated to the government with the proviso that the family live there. This is a great tax protection I might add.
The Visitor's Center is filled with interesting facts of the area and was the original scene of archeological excavations that started in 1930. There is evidence of civilized use as early as 200 BC making it one of the earlier areas in North America. There are still shards of pottery on display.
The original railroad from Washington DC to Annapolis Maryland ran through the park but little is remaining but signs of the right-of-way. The rail was removed during WWII and the ties have just simply disintegrated over the years. Tress have grown on the center that are at least thirty years old and probably even older. There is one stretch that is tough to walk because the trail has parallel lines were earth has built up between the ties so when the wood disappeared it left the ruts and it is almost like walking on ties. It is easy to get tripped up.
The area is very much in the tidewater region with tide averaging just under three feet or a meter. This leaves large mud flats at low tide so there is no shortage of waterfowl seeking their breakfast early in the morning. We saw three osprey nests that were occupied. I suspect that eggs had been laid all ready as one of the pair were obviously nesting. 
There were just about every variety of duck to be seen and both snow and Canadian geese resting on the migratory flights. The Canadian geese are becoming indigenous to the area with our milder winters but I still see some flights apparently traveling the old routes.
Much of the foliage is showing signs of Spring. Most of the fruit trees are budding or have blossomed and the daffodils and other early tuberous plants have sprung up and are fully out. The trees are budding but do not show much green yet. The ground is very wet because of the heavy rains that have been common and the area is filled with springs and seeps making it necessary to be careful at times. There were a few places were one could get muddy and wet feet but in large the trail was very good. The trail was well marked in the traditional volksmarching style of using plastic ribbons - I enjoy that much more than having to use a piece of paper with directions and a map on it. The Free Staters had a good well organized group that included a grill for those traditionalists like myself who do not feel that they have been volksmarching unless there is a wurst at the end. Now if we could only have a beer.The club is to be commended on a great job. If every club put as much into the walks as these folks have there would be no concerns of diminishing attendance.
It wasn't that far to the scene of the next hike at Ellicott City Maryland, again less than fifty miles. I know that region fairly well and didn't think it would be a hill climb. Boy, did we get surprised. It turned out to be one of the more strenuous hikes we have done in the United States.
The parking was more than adequate and there was a very large turnout for the hike. Part of the lane into the park is one lane but we intimidate smaller vehicles and they all find places to scurry to when we draw into sight. That is not meant to be critical at all as I do not like the flat-as-a -pancake hike at all. By the time we started the temperature had risen into the low 80s and there was bright sunshine. The hike starts on the top of the ridge and drops into the Patapsco River "gorge". I knew we were in for a hill climb as we just continued to go down hill. The "inverse" physics law of what goes up must come down was very evident.
The historic area of Ellicott City is in the Gorge and has been refurbished well in the fifty some odd years since I visited it last. It is all antique and curio shops with eateries in between. There is a micro brewery that we did stop at had a great variety of beer that was very good. 
We had goofed, Mimi though I had money with me, I thought she had money so we were a tad bit close to embarrassment when it came time to pay. Ellicott City straddles old Route 40 which was at one time called the National Road.
The National Road was used as early at the 17th Century by those moving west and played a major role in the expansion of the early colonies and eventually of the United States. I expect that many of the buildings date back to that era even though the town was not founded until the middle of the 18th Century.
Part of the trail was on the right-of-way of the trolley that connected the town with the city of Baltimore. Little else remains, even the bridge crossing the river has been carried away. The town is serviced by train used mostly by commuters to Baltimore and Washington.
The trail went down and up, own and up, down and up and I was exhausted and dragging. It 
took closer to three hours to do the 10 kilometers and that is a record for me. The hike was very scenic, the old homes and churches we saw were well worth the "pain and agony". I will do it again next year if possible but I will do the Jug Bay hike second this time.
From there it was a much longer drive to State College Pennsylvania, about a 150 miles, half of which was interstate. It was easy driving except for the evening breeze and we arrived here just at dark. We found the start point and then the closest shopping mall where we ate dinner and are spending the night.
We started driving along the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, later the Juniata River, and followed the rivers almost all the way here. The rivers are still very high from all the rain and are very wide. I had hoped to catch a good photo of the sun setting over the Juniata River but every time the scene was good there was no place to pull over. It truly started becoming mountainous as far as the Allegheny Mountains anyway and we slowed down significantly a few times. I suspect on the way back we will be able to see the scenery just a tad bit better.
We were running short on daylight but we managed to push hard and do the State College Penn State hike. At almost a jog pace we dashed the course and only had to use a flash light the last twenty minutesor so. The campus was the highlight of the hike and we would enjoy returning for a more leisurely stroll. I probably could spend an entire week in the computer lab alone. The museum of anthropology would be another center where I could spend a long time just wandering around.
I will have little trouble sleeping this night and I am fearfully of having sore and stiff muscles but so far so good. I hear some moans from the back of the bus but we should be ready to whip the trail shortly.
Day 2 - March 29 - Home - Mileage 237 - Cumulative 542
We were up at the crack of dawn and out on the trail after kahlua and coffee. This was the Boalsburg Year Around and went from the start point out to the 28th Division Shrine and return. Once into Boalsburg we saw the trail markers for the scheduled hike and could identify the start tent. The part of the trail on Main Street was nicer due to the lack of traffic; Atherton St was noisy and smelly from all the traffic even at that hour. The homes in the back area were attractive but nothing to return for. It is probably my dislike of "city" hikes peeking through again.
The Boalsburg hike is one of the nicest "city" hikes I can recall walking. The village is remarkable. I think every house had a historic marker affixed to it. Relating the marker to the hand out was fascinating. The cemetery - not normally something I have a fixation about - was interesting, especially the older portion. The stained glass in the Church of Christ is remarkable. I wish we could have stayed longer to visit those houses that are open. I believe that we hiked the length of every street in the village.
While walking back towards Atherton Street and the midpoint I was made aware of the presence of an animal by the wet nose in my palm. There was a very frisky and friendly Golden Retriever who was simply thrilled with the opportunity to play and meet new friends. We first thought the dog belonged to a runner that passed us but we soon realized that she had just wandered away. We were fearful that she might be injured if allowed to roam free and fortunately her collar had a tag with the phone number. We called the owner who almost immediately showed up and took her back home. One could see on her face that she knew she was in trouble. But it ended well with no injuries.
The 28th Division Memorial is most impressive and hit a point of poignancy for me. I will never forget mt babtism with a bucket of blood and intestines thrown at me in the San Francisco Airport when I returned from Vietnam. The 28th has had historic role in the development of the United States from their predecessors during the Revolutionary War through the 2d World War. I took a few moments to reflect on the significance that it had with me.
"There, except for the grace of God, lay I."The second part of the hike was in the newer section of the village and no where near as interesting I fear. It was something to complete and then on to bigger and better things. We did met people whose faces are very familiar and who we have run into over most of the United States. The fantastic charm of volksmarching is the camaraderie with other masochists who abuse their bodies rather than being content to be couch potatoes.
The next stop was Newport where we picked up the directions for the hike at Little Buffalo State Park. I was back in "Seventh Heaven" for once again it was one of those hikes that remain in one's mind and want to return. The walk was a fantastic mixture of "wild nature" and history. This will be one trail that I know we will return to do again. It was a little early for the attractions to be open. But they are noteworthy and we will return again when we come up to do the hike we didn't have time to do at Bellafonte. 
I would like to check out the Blue Ball Tavern and sample the local goods. I enjoy the new digital camera very much but I keep forgetting to charge the battery between stops. I did not have sufficient "juice" to take pictures until I ran the charger again. There was a parking problem in Newport; its streets are not designed for a vehicle as large as "Tiny." I had to truly work to wiggle our way at one corner. The town square is remarkable and reminds me of places I visited sixty years ago. (I cannot remember what I did yesterday but I can remember what I did sixty years ago). This trip will probably be in the early fall when all the little rug rats are back in school. We will probably also do St Mary's, Bellafonte and several of the hikes in the Buffalo area. It is always great to plan ahead.
The last hike of the weekend was Nixon Park at Jacobus Maryland. This was another hike that will be dear to my heart as it was very natural with just sufficient hills present to make the aerobic rate reach its suggest peak for me. I have driven past that area and the two parks (Nixon and Kern) any number of times but hadn't realized there was a hike there. I have always admired the lake and even though about what a great area it would be to have a hike there. My dreams were fulfilled. I have never been disappointed by a "White Rose" hike and this was no exception.
It was dusk when we finished and the visitors center was closed. The visitor's center with its wildlife museum is more than worth staying around to see; it was one of the better displays I have seen. Kids seemed to be fascinated with it.
The drive the rest of the way was hectic with heavy traffic all the way. The problem with the first warm weekend is those Sunday driver who stored their brains in liquid nitrogen for the winter have not allowed sufficient time for the thaw and are prone to do some outstandingly brain dead maneuvers.
We arrived home late and I did little other than read e-mail and Saturday's junk mail before calling it quits. It was time to psychologically prepare ourselves for the latest learning experiences of the coming week - learning experiences only if one is most charitable.
Previous travels with Don:Outer Banks, North Carolina
Virginia Tidewater
Manassas and Gettysburg
West Virginia
North Carolina
Outer Banks, North Carolina
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Walking Trip Reports: Our growing list of articles describing great walks enjoyed by our correspondants around the world.
Walking With the Walrus: Kevin Shaw in Maryland describes each weekend walk he enjoys with pooches Peaches and India.
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