A diary of runs/walks along the C & O Canal in Maryland.
We started running the C & O Canal last Fall when our daughter joined the high school cross country team. After finishing track season, we decided to continue our adventures by going to a different location each time. So far, we have been to Point of Rocks, MD, Brunswick and today, Dickerson Conservation Park. It was hot today and we loaded up on bug spray, but what a great view of wildlife and nature. I saw a lovely huge heron, lots of turtles and fish, heard woodpeckers and frogs and enjoyed the play of light and shadows on bright green algae on the water.
I took lessons in Chi Running a few weeks ago. While I’m not up to long distances (ok, really, any distance), I use the techniques for walking and walk/run. My legs feel great, my knees don’t hurt and I walk faster than my teenager can! My local teacher was fantastic: Mark Lawrence of Self-Propel and he conducts clinics during the year. Check out his website or find him on his Facebook page!
Today’s trip to Dickerson was an adventure just getting there, as the roads got smaller, windier and bumpier. Eventually we parked and found the canal. We went to the right along the water, but after a couple of miles did end up behind a Power Plant, which reminded me of spy movies and made one start looking for bodies in the water. We saw the kayak practice area where kayakers can practice their white water skills (like you see on the Olympics). Naturally, I had to look it up and found the Dickerson Whitewater Course. It was pretty cool to see! It’s run by the power plant. Who knew one could practice that locally? I was happy to have learned something new today.
Below is a map of the entire Canal trail system and some photos from the Dickerson trip.We stepped down a side trail to go to the river and what a nice view!
Beautiful and he (or she) was completely unimpressed by the little Beagle staring across the canal. He knew he was much bigger than she!
Charlotte overlooking the Potomac River early in the morning.