3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Mile 39.6 to mile 35.5
4.1 miles toward goal (164.4 miles to go)
Temperature - 79-degrees
Canal at Dickerson Conservation area
Spring has arrived on the C&O. This was a glorious walk and we were able to take two cars, parking one at each end, so we walked one way, north to south. The Dickerson Conservation area was a simple place to park and began our 4.1 mile trek south to White's Ferry.
The first thing we did was walk across the towpath and down the rocky path to the river where we admired how high the water was today, and where it had risen with the recent flooding after the heavy rains.
Most of the way, we could still see the Potomac through the trees, now with new leaves sprouting. Debris was visible several feet up in the trees alongside the path and the path itself had been severely damaged and washed out in two places.
Cormorants flew low along the river and we saw one great blue heron. We heard several other birds but did not see them. Even with the small amount of green showing on the trees, the birds were so much better hidden than during the bleak days of winter when we could see every creature that made noise. We could hear woodpeckers but did not see even one.
We saw many turtles. They were lined up on logs in the canal, soaking up the afternoon sun. The tree canopy will soon be so thick with leaves that it will be harder to find the rays in the canal.
Along these four miles, the canal was at times dry, filled with sludge and brimming with water. In most places, large trees and bushes were growing in the canal bed and alongside the towpath adjacent to the canal. In many places trees had fallen (some recently) and one fairly large tree was across the path at about mile 37.
In the swampier places, we heard loud noises that sounded more like spaceships from the twilight zone. On closer inspection we discovered many frogs , busy doing what frogs do at this time of year. My photos are somewhat intrusive but interesting.
We walked past Woods Lock, Lock 26, where there is a clearing and the remains of the lockhouse foundation. A beautiful large maple tree is adjacent to the ruins.
One of the highlights of the walk was the abundance of Virginia bluebells along both sides of the towpath. They were in full bloom and hundreds of them were in many places, their purples and blues calling to us to admire each one of them.
It was a beautiful day to walk, and we finished with a nice ride back across the Potomac on White's Ferry.
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