GAP Day 2 Meyersdale to Confluence

Each day our schedule is the same.  This tour has everyone traveling together.  Our breakfast is at 7:30 and for me that means that I get up at 6:30 each morning.  Each night before I go to bed I have all my things ready to go. In the morning I have time for coffee and visiting.  I take the items for the day to breakfast and I do not need to head up the hill to our lodging. I want to save some energy for the day.

The temperatures began at 57 degrees and I decided to ride in my rain pants. I did not regret my decision.The temps moved into the upper 60s and it kept partly sunny.  The shade also keeps our trail temperature down and I am going at a leisurely pace. We covered 31.4 miles. We began at 2000' and ended at 1303'. My Strava told me I gained 182' and this is accounted for by the little ups and down of the trail.

Ready to begin crossing the Salisbury Viaduct.

This spans the valley over fields, highways, train tracks and a river.  It is only 8' and I did not want to cause congestion and a possible safety issue. We are a 100' above the valley and we did have a fabulous view.

The signs provide us with reminders of what we have accomplished and how much further for the day.

A volunteer provided a welcome at our lunch stop in Rockwood.

Greg our expedition leader has the chairs ready for us and his daughter, Rona have lunch set out.  The town of Rockwood is close by and some head into town to get something.  We have a relaxing lunch break and refill the water bottles.  We are not pushed along to meet a tight schedule, but I know Greg is keeping track of the time.

The Ambassador asked that we add a pin to the map to show our hometown. You can see that people who have come before us are from all over.

We continue to see wonderful water falls.

This will be the last tunnel of our journey.

You also see a sign for the old route which followed the river, but this tunnel was added a few years ago.  I chose the tunnel. I did not realize that there would be no overhead lighting.  I could see the other end, but the path before me was too dark to see the surface.  I kept to the center and hoped that I would not hit any  slippery spots.  When I emerged the two riders behind me thanked me for having the helmet taillight which helped guide them.

This section of the river provided nice white water for kayakers.

The view entering Confluence.

The warmth of the afternoon had me craving a pop and an ice cream sandwich.  There was a spot right off the Village Green. 

We met with Bill Metzger to hear about the GAP.

What a wealth of knowledge about the history of the area.

Confluence is named from the connecting of the Casselman, and Youghiogheny rivers and the Laurel Hill Creek. For a long time it was known as "Turkeyfoot". The B & O set up Confluence as a major train yard.  Thirty trains a day still pass through. I guess somewhere in the past the powers felt that Confluence was the better name. I would not want to say that I hail from Turkeyfoot ,would you?

Each afternoon we have enough time to relax and clean up for dinner at 6:00.  After dinner we have another program about the Eastern Woodlands.

Local arrowheads found by our speakers.

Our speakers were two high school teachers who provided information about the geology, animals, plants and indigenous people. There were many other displays. The first two days have given a good basis for enjoying the trail ahead. Greg, our leader, continues to entertain us with additional facts and stories. I bet he learned a lot from Bill Metzger.

The programs are interesting, but by  8:00 p.m. we are thinking about bed and getting ready for the next day.