Thursday, July 11, 2013

The GAP Highlight Reel


If there is to be only one more ride on the Gap, show us the Good stuff.

“Yes’em”


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Start at the Meyersdale Station. Stay inside and see the great exhibits while Evelyn clears the skies.



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OK.  Look at all the blackberries. Remember this spot. Oh yeah, Bethy’s got that locked.


We’re going UP here, just a one percent grade, but UP nevertheless. 
The Keystone Viaduct, just 900’ long.


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See the Wind Turbine.  The Two Ridges project has 64 along here.  The whole county is on wind power. (There ARE a lot of Amish in this county, but …)



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Waiting out the shower in a shelter Evelyn steered us to.

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Patty? Don’t you have faith in Evelyn?



Climb is over.  We are topping the Continental Divide.


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Big Savage Tunnel is 3294’ but it’s nicely lighted

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Whoa! Is that a train?

 

 

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Big view from the top.  All the way to Cumberland.


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All downhill back to Meyersdale.  Whee!

One more Highlight,  the big Salisbury Viaduct 1908’ long and HIGH.  Feels like you’re flying here.

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  • That’s All Folks

Monday, July 8, 2013

“Miss Daisy” does The GAP


We all loved the Bash and hated to leave.  The pleasant cool weather and the bracing bike rides left us wanting more. 
“Drive us to the Great Allegheny Passage.”
“Yes’em
Bethy likes these trips ‘cause IMG_9166the driver will stop ANYWHERE she wishes –- like Farmer’s stands, where they have fruits,vegetables and exotic orange cream soda for floats.


Patty and Al like having Beth along because of her special link to Evelyn, her sainted Mother-in-law.  A whispered prayer to Evelyn virtually assures good weather for your day.  Evelyn never failed us.  When showers threatened our bike ride, a pleasant shelter appeared at trailside; the weather was cool and the showers came at night or enroute in a vehicle.

IMG_9181Al loves having his little sister along because she has a mind like a steel trap and will gladly expostulate most of it at drop of an allusion. (And, being a highly skilled editor, she finds misspelled signs EVERYWHERE.)

We had time for two rides on the GAP; the first from our campsite at Confluence PA to Ohiopyle to see the rafters (and eat PIE}
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Trees fall only at night when Evelyn is on the case


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The river is up and many rapids are washed out.


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There ALWAYS seems to be something to giggle about..

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BIG water  at the Entrance Rapid below the Falls


IMG_9225_thumbEVERYONE who rides on the Great Allegheny Passage is an Adventurer, each on their own Mythic Quest.  From the sub teens stretching to new found limits to Edward and Lewis 48 days out from Portland, or the stout Russian woman crossing the country on nerve and the kindness of strangers to a granddad riding out to finish with his granddaughter.
We were passed by a “train” –– three generations. Dad and Granddad on a tandem hitched to a half bike for Grandson pulling a gear trailer –– pedaling hard, doing big miles.
Each night in the campground brings a new crop of thru bikers with their tales and each stop along the trail is another exchange of stories.  IMG_9221_thumb
You might meet the mayor of a nearby city or a Professor at a great state University.  It could happen.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

All the Pretty Airstreams…Part two, BIRTHDAY BASH IV


LINKS TO PREVIOUS BIRTHDAY BASH 2011
...AND ANOTHER 2011
AND BIRTHDAY BASH 3 IN 2012
We’re BAACK!! Back at Coopers Lake near Slippery Rock PA…back down around the beautiful lake, back in the random park anywhere you like there are no rules here formation (but now featuring Electricity), back with a wonderful jolly band of Airstream friends and family.
We LOVE this rally and Love the great bonds of friendship extended to regulars and newcomers alike.  This year it’s great to share the experience with “Our Sister” Beth. 

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Besides our usual Bash activities –- Eating, tie dying, rocket launching, eating huge breakfasts, bike riding, snoozing in chairs, eating Pot lucks and Dutch oven meals, we added GOLDENDOODLE BAITING…
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…and, of course, Concours level Margarita making…






…and making Ice Cream in zip lock bags, which was cool in so many ways, but a two handed operation, so no pictures.

Dave & Lori led another bike ride on the nearby Savich Trail which included  twenty miles and a couple pretty good hills.  Patty passed the “Hill Test” and is feeling confident after the little cardiac adventure.  It was still nice to have EMT Lori on the ride.
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These gatherings always end too soon.  Our sincerest thanks to Frank and Ace for their generous hospitality and to all the Airstreamers, newcomers and veterans, for the unique gifts they share.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

All the pretty Airstreams… …..all the lovely people.

…Before each BIRTHDAY BASH at Coopers Lake PA, a few transients assemble at Penn Wood Airstream Park. It’s totally informal and under organized but that’s what we like.  This year Bill and Nora are leasing a place at Penn Wood and have spread the word about the Bash.  Some new faces and some returnees. 
CLICK for link to Last Year at Penn Wood
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Lovely sites for Penn Wood Members
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…and lots of room for transients.

NEW FRIENDSMary Beth fit right in and had no trouble making new friends.




New friends Dave and Lori are avid bikers and organized a ride on the Alleghany River Trail including a tunnel with no lights,


trail ride from Pennwood



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glimpses of wildlife and a few surprises…
THAT WAS CLOSE 
“Whew, that was close!”

Patty rode 17 miles and felt fine. Extra assurance having an EMT riding along –- Thanks Lori.
Training a new generation of Airstreamers
next generation

next generation 2






SARA
AIRSTREAMERS MAUL BEAR
Airstreamers Maul Bear!
With the number of trailers heading for the Bash growing, we were in serious danger of requiring leadership and some convoy coordination. But we harkened back to basic TAC principles –- “NO Rules.  We just want to go camping and have fun.”  So we straggled out in groups of three or four,  by different routes and arrived at the Birthday Bash grounds in a dignified but unsightly gaggle. Here is a picture of our “flight of four” taking the back roads.
FLIGHT OF FOUR