Took my first fall today

The C&O canal is a beautiful ride with the Potomac on one side and the old canal on the other.  The locks are still in place as are many of the stone structures making up the canal.  However, the path is anything but pleasant. The constant struggle to avoid roots, rocks, mud, ruts and occasional broken tree limbs wears on the entire body.  Aaron, riding in front of me, swung into me as he was swerving around a five inch downed limb. I braked but not enough. Hitting the rear left side of his bike.  I lost my balance and dumped the bike into a shoulder of grass. Everyone stopped and helped pick up my bike, about a minute passed.  I reattached my front pannier, climbed on the bike and started up again. No damage to the bike and no physical injury to me but I was a bit shaken.  

        Other than a long break for lunch, including some excellent beer, we chugged along until we reach Williamsport, seventy-five miles from campsite to campsite  Our only overnight option was a KOA campsite costing $60, welcome to the East.  A guy we met a few days earlier reappeared as we were weighing our lodging options. He joined us, bringing the camping fee to $10 per person.  

          We set up our tents, ordered some pizza from the front desk, which was delivered. Eli built a fire for the fourth time in as many days. We combined all our dirty laundry and did a much needed load of laundry.  Being on the road, it is hard to keep our clothes up to snuff.  We are grateful to have a shower ever night and not much else. It is amazing that I have a shave every morning.  Maintaining ones standards is essential.

       There remains one hundred miles on the C&O before we reach Washington.  Harpers Ferry is our next stop or we may push on a little further.  Ninety day on the road as of tomorrow!