Reply to Just Finished a Thru Hike—-Happy to Answer Questions

My wife (54) and I (55) just finished backpacking the entire 184.5 miles. This was our first thru hike of any magnitude and we thought it would be a good place to start.

We started off fast (100 miles in 5 days) and took 11 days overall.

We tented for 7 nights (including getting flooded by rising Potomac (Hurricane Ida remnants) and 4 nights in B&Bs/hotel.

Happy to answer any questions about detours, restaurants, B&Bs etc!

Which direction did you hike the C&O? What are your observations of the Paw Paw Tunnel bypass trail? Where did you get flooded by the Potomac? What B&B's did you stay at? Any you would not recommend?

Rivnuts, I replied on the other thread re: Paw Paw.

We hiked from DC to Cumberland.

We were flooded at Swain’s Lock campsite the day after Ida went through DC. I think the sites are perfectly safe, we just made a rookie mistake by camping very close to the water, in a lower lying area, the day after heavy rain.

We stayed at the following B&Bs:

Williamsport—-Bay Farms. Nice place, nice rooms, self serve breakfast which was good. Would stay again. Owner Jessie was very responsive to texts. Ate dinner at Tony’s Pizza…typical pizza/pasta/sandwich joint, right across street. Beer/wine and good food.

Hancock—-1828 Trail Inn. Nice place. Only 3 rooms. Owner Joe Decker was one of the most genuinely kind people ever. Fantastic hot breakfast, served in courses by Joe. Very good place. The restaurant we wanted to go to was not open on Wed and we decided to eat Subway.

Little Orleans—-Town Hill B&B. We loved this place. We stopped at the famous Bill’s Place for beer and food, and called Town Hill for their shuttle service ($6 pp each way). Lovely Inn, very nice grounds, incredible hilltop views. Amazing self serve breakfast with a number of hot, prepared dishes, including “Biker Beans” which was a mixture of beans served hot for a great carb load,

We would happily stay at all three places again.

Art, thanks for your reply. I've camped at Swain's Lock albeit further up the hill closer to the trail. Indeed those campsites closer to the river are more scenic but, as you noted, are more susceptible to high river water.

I've stayed at Town Hill albeit under previous ownership. (AT that time the proprietor's daughter was talking of buying him out and maybe she did.) It's good to hear it has been maintained well. It sounds like the previous proprietor's famous "tomato pie" has been replaced by the "biker beans". Curiously, we didn't pay an extra fee for the shuttle when I stayed there but I would have easily paid it to avoid having to ride my loaded bike up there.

I have not stayed at Bay Farms nor the 1828 Trail Inn but have read good reviews for both. I'll have to try them out.

The “tomato pie” is still there! Alas, we have started a plant based diet so we did not sample it, but it was a hit wit others.