As mentioned in a previous blog, our planned 59-mile cycle from D.C. to Brunswick, Md. on the C&O Canal Trail got turned into a much shorter, and very wet 12 mile slog to Bethesda.
And so, being sensible carbon-based life forms, we opted instead for a day trip to Harper’s Ferry, which happens to be just across the river from Brunswick.
The first time I came to Harper’s Ferry, many years ago, I wore a full backpack and arrived and departed via the Appalachian Trail.
The next time, some years later, Jill and I arrived via bike, quite wet and muddy from a rainy day’s trek on the C&O. The guy who owned the B&B we were staying at made us go in the back yard and hose down before he would let us in.
Because they have their standards in Harper’s Ferry.
This town perched on a rocky promontory doubles as a National Park. That’s because lots of notable people whose name wasn’t Ron Cunningham have passed through here – Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and John Brown (who made quite a messy entrance by the way) just to name a few.
Still this town steeped in history has its quirks as well. Just like any tourist town.
But if tourism chic isn’t your cup of tea, there are still a few quiet streets that beg meandering.
Harper’s Ferry is perched on a rocky overlook where two great rivers, The Potomac and the Shenandoah come together,
And if you climb the stone steps high enough you’ll get an eyeful that will make the effort worth it.
Jefferson Rock is oddly spectacular. As is the vista of the town and rivers below.
And the ruins of a long abandoned house of worship.
The railroads made Harper’s Ferry a prosperous town. These days people insist on leaving locks where locomotives once passed. I dunno why.
This place of iron and rust and water.
Where you can rise above it all if you are in a contemplative mood.
John Brown was here. So were we. I’ll let you know how our Great American Rail Trail Day 2 (45 miles on the C&O from Brunswick to Williamsport) goes.
FreeGNV 