W is For .....

Today Dave and I biked the Heritage Rail Trail  from Hanover Junction Station to the Mason Dixon Line and back. All told about 20.5 miles give or take a 1/4 mile.

The weather forecast all week called for scattered T-storms today. Last night the storms looked like they would hold off until at least 5:00 p.m. so we decided to go for it. (it's now 6 and although looking stormy it hasn't started yet) It's a two hour drive from our house to Hanover Junction Station and if you know us you know we avoided the highway as much as possible. It was a pleasant drive out.

We set off for New Freedom Station (originally this was to be our turn around spot). Hanover and New Freedom are about 8+ miles apart. Here we were able to stop for a water refill break and to tour the museum inside the station. There was even just enough sun for a shadow photo.

Along the trail were white pillars with "W" on them. At the museum I learned that W did not stand for West. I had already figured that since we were headed South. It didn't make sense that it stood for water since there were so many of them. The museum display confirmed that too. No, the W stands for Whistle. As in "It's time to blow a warning whistle for the upcoming intersection". Of course I could have just asked Dave - who knows and loves all things trains - but it was hard to talk while riding. We need some helmet walkie talkies!

After the museum break, we decided it was worth it to go the final less than two miles to the Mason Dixon Line /Maryland Border. It seemed silly not to. Our rear ends would beg to differ later but mind over matter .... ummm in this case butt.

We rode back to Hanover Junction Station and toured that museum as well before heading back (via Car) into Glen Rock to have Lunner. Dave noticed the Great American Melting Pot restaurant from the trail. We learned that they have only been open for three weeks. Here is a photo of the sign on the table. For this, I was really glad we ate there.

It says We have hired Glen Rock
residents exclusively. Many of them
are new to serving and are not  yet
fully trained!  

20+ miles was a little ambitious (his words) for Dave on his first bike trip in over a year but we survived. (PIAs not withstanding) I was excited to hear him say "When we come back to do the other half of this trail....".

The trail is also part of PA Bike Route J. We've now completed the first 10+ miles from Maryland heading north. Maybe we should set a goal to section bike the whole thing! (Evil Grin)