The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage

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What town would you move to near the C&O or the GAP?

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BobK from McLean on 3/10/2021 8:29:52 PM:

Hi all, years ago my brother in law bought a small old house right on the canal near Antietam and we used to ride there on the weekends from Cabin John Maryland, but he sold the place and now I’m realizing more than ever what a cool idea that was. So just wondering where you would buy a place like that near the C&O in Maryland or the GAP Pennsylvania and or if you were going to retire and wanted to keep on biking and hiking into the sunset, what small town along the C&O or GAP would you move to? Thanks very much for your thoughts!

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/10/2021 9:51:19 PM:

I'll let others more familiar with the Maryland towns along the C&O Towpath to respond. When you say "small" town, I'll assume there are no limitations and you're looking for a small vacation residence. There are several options but I would suggest the following: Confluence, PA; Meyersdale, PA, Whitsett, PA; Ohiopyle, PA; Frostburg, MD.

I think Confluence, PA would be my first choice. Its right on the trail and the Youghiogheny River and dam. Its a modest little town that has some small stores and shops. You can ride west toward Ohiopyle which is a nature lover's delight and on to Connellsville. There is hiking and kayaking/rafting in that area also. You could ride east to Rockwood and on to Meyersdale. There are a number camping options along this section of the GAP also.

I could write somewhat at length as to why I listed these locations and their merits (and limitations). If any of these locations strike a nerve or if there are specific attributes for your choice, let me know and I'll elaborate.

Anonymous on 3/11/2021 11:20:55 AM:

Wonderful thanks for your suggestions Rivnuts! when I do my Pittsburgh ride in last September, I'm going to plan on staying 1 or 2 days in each one of these towns and explore around as I will be retired by then! thanks again Rivnuts!

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/11/2021 2:20:54 PM:

That sounds like a plan although you’ll not likely to find any place in Whitsett to stay. It’s simply one of the old coal mining villages along the GAP and off the beaten path. Not sure why I’m enamored with it other than its simplicity. The trail just kind of opens up there and has a nice park area, pavilion, etc.

You may be underwhelmed by these suggestions depending on exactly what you may be looking for. However, if you ride the length of the GAP and take just a little time in or about the towns and villages along the way you’ll see first hand what you options might be and what may be attractive to you.

If you embark from PIttsburgh and would like someone to ride along foe a ways drop me a note at:

Rivnuts@yahoo.com

As the time approaches. I’d be happy to pedal along and convey what local knowledge I can offer.

wkr from Brunswick, MD on 3/11/2021 6:05:09 PM:

I already live about a mile from the C&O in Brunswick, MD and will be moving into a house in the "new" neighborhood here in a couple months. The Appalachian Trail is also just 4 miles on foot from home using the C&O (the Appalachian Trail is actually the same as the C&O for a few miles). So, I can flat, smooth path or hilly, rocky trail. I will admit to usually choosing the lazier option. ;)

This area is much cheaper than, say, Cabin John, or other suburbs around DC but it's not going to be as cheap as many parts of western PA. I'm native to MD and I don't have any interest in going anywhere else so I'll be retiring here (less than 5 years to go :) ).

BobK from McLean on 3/11/2021 7:14:41 PM:

Sounds great Rivnuts, I plan on taking the train to Pittsburgh in late September or early October and will send you an email in August sometime to see when you might be available to ride along for a while and in the mean time, i'm going to do a test run to Harper's Ferry and or Cumberland just to test things out, so look forward to that ride Rivnuts and do like the sound of Whitsett for those same reasons!

BobK from McLean on 3/11/2021 7:59:55 PM:

Hi wkr thanks for the info and congratulations on 5 years to go! Its an incredible feeling knowing you can do what you want, when you want and as long as you want, especially when exploring towns and trails by bike right?

My wife's sister has a small place in Harper's Ferry, so going to check out HF more and Brunswick as well and do like the fact that the Appalachian trail connections are right around there, so going to learn more about HF, Brunswick and these other towns in PA and plan on visiting their sites and craft shops and meeting people along the way as that's what makes these adventures a lot more memorable right? Thanks again wkr, see you on the trail!

BobK from McLean on 3/11/2021 9:25:35 PM:

Hi Rivnuts, I see that Whitsett is right next to Perryopolis and i'm sure you know George Washington bought 1644 acres there because he said:
"as fine a land as I have ever seen, a great deal of rich meadow; it is well watered and has a valuable mill seat."
Very interesting, got to check out Whitsett & Perryopolis for sure, also a big fan of GW, who isn't right? rode my bike to Mount Vernon many times!

Rick from Greenock, PA on 3/11/2021 10:16:11 PM:

We live on the GAP trail in Greenock about 25 miles from Pittsburgh. While I didn't move here for the trail, I will never move from here because of the trail. We can easily ride into Pittsburgh, and have done segments of the GAP all the way to Cumberland. Still holding out hope of a trip to DC when I retire.

Love the trail.

Rick

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/12/2021 5:08:41 AM:

BobK from McLean on 3/12/2021 7:31:14 PM:

Hi Rick, looking at google it looks like you made a great move being near parks, rivers and tons of greenery and looks like fun biking in all directions! Will have to check out Greenock when up there and let us know when you're thinking about doing the DC trip!

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/12/2021 8:42:46 PM:

Indeed, Whitsett is not far from Perryopolis which is the closest place I suppose to go buy something such as food. I'm surprised that Washington had to buy the land in Perryopolis as much land was awarded to him as payment for his westward expeditionary forays.

Like Whitsett and, perhaps Greenock to a degree, there are a number of small, old, few-street, mining and coking "villages" along the GAP through which the Western Maryland and P&LE railroads ran, almost literally. The "towns" such as West Newton, Connellsville, Confluence, Meyersdale, Frostburg and Cumberland were the commercial areas along the route.

Which, if any of these, would be of most interest to you depends on what you are looking for such as

Proximity and access to both bike and hiking trails
Proximity to or distancing from towns
Type housing and community desired
Access to shopping (by car or bike)
Distance to major cities
Geographical features and fauna

and priorities.

You'll get a good look during your ride as well as perusing maps of the area.

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/12/2021 8:42:46 PM:

Rick from Greenock, PA on 3/13/2021 12:07:00 AM:

BobK we are on the corner of Sandy Lane and East Smithfield St, about 2 miles from Boston. There is a green fridge on the back porch with decent beer. Please stop by if you're in the neighborhood.

Also, we are about 2.5 miles from a bald eagles nest which is between us and Buena Vista. Looks like we're going to have to walk out to see them this spring before the leaves make the nest hard to see.

The section of the trail from Greenock to Buena Vista is about 6 miles, and does not have any cross roads at all. It is the best part of the trail (although I might be biased). Our house to Dravo Cemetery is about 8 miles round trip and is our go-to after work ride.

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/13/2021 7:58:42 AM:

Rick:

Although you made the kind offer to BobK, you've opened up the "green Pandora's Box" for those of us who live in the area and ride through Greenock often! :-)

BobK from McLean on 3/13/2021 8:54:19 AM:

Thanks Rick, will try to stop by for sure if I'm in the area, here's my email if you're ever in the DC area, wodr@yahoo.com (w.o.d rider) w.o.d is the paved trail that runs from Purcellville VA to DC as an alternative to taking the C&O to DC, but you'd have to take White's Ferry across the Potomac to get to it. But you will definitely want to take the C&O to DC as that passes by Great Falls and is a lot more scenic. I'm definitely hooked on "green" after living in brownish Colorado for 15 years, but CO has great weather and is great for mountain biking, but doesn't have nice connected easy to ride trails like the C&O GAP trails and actually, I met someone on the C&O who was riding from OHIO to DC, so if I move to PA, I will have to give that a try someday!

Rick from Greenock, PA on 3/13/2021 9:13:23 AM:

Probably the excitement to actually see people again after this past year. I'll have to institute the one-beer limit.

My wife and I have our regular bikes and e-bikes we got last fall. We use the e-bikes if we want to go Homestead or Pittsburgh, and our regular bikes for shorter (~20 mile) trips. We have been identifying all the decent lunch places within our biking radius, and try to go out to lunch at least once a week. The e-bikes have definitely opened things up for us.

BobK from McLean on 3/13/2021 9:37:34 AM:

Hi Rivnuts, you're right about the "green Pandora's Box" hahaha cos every time I came back from CO for a visit, I realized how much I missed the green, except for the leaf racking of course, but the advantage of living in CO with the higher altitude was whenever I went mountain biking with friends during the visit, they'd be huffing and puffing when I was just getting started hahaha!

BobK from McLean on 3/13/2021 7:11:44 PM:

Hi Rick, "one beer limit" hahaha, look forward to hearing how those e-bikes work out, sounds perfect for your location!

Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 3/17/2021 8:35:01 PM:

Rick. I rode right by East Smithfield and Sandy Lane today and didn't spot that green fridge. I've got to get me some new specs! :-)

Rick from Greenock, PA on 3/20/2021 1:20:53 AM:

I just plugged it in and stocked it. we sit back from the trail a little ways, so you'd have to know what you're looking for. Huge back porch which is perfect for watching people ride by on the trail. Can't wait for sitting on the porch season.

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