Lost with Mike
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    • The South >
      • Merchant's Millpond State Park, NC
      • BRP and a visit to Charlotte, NC
      • South Carolina and Back on my GS (2011)
      • Jaw-ja Trip #1 - Visiting my Nephew
      • Jaw-ja Trip #2 - Cousin's Wedding
      • "You rode 1300 miles for BBQ?!?" (2010)
    • Canada (eh) >
      • 2012 - Beards to Canada >
        • Day 1: Arlington, VA > Arlington, VT
        • Day 1-2 (Continued) Back to VA!!!
        • Day 3: Newburyport, NH > Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 4: Loafing around "The Neck"
        • Day 5: Sandy Cove, NS to Antigonish, NS
        • Day 6: Antigonish, NS to Meat Cove, NS
        • Day 7: Meat Cove, NS to Port Aux Basques, NFL
        • Day 8: Port Aux Basques to Port Saunders
        • Day 9: Port Saunders to Big Brook
        • Day 10: Big Brook, NL to Trans Lab Hwy
        • Day 11: Trans Lab Hwy to Pinware River
        • Day 12: Pinware River, LAB to Norris Point, NL
        • Day 13: Norris Point to Blue Beach
        • Day 14: Blue Beach, NL to Port Aux Basques Ferry
        • Day 15: Sydney, NS to Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 16: Chillin on the Digby Neck
        • Day 17: Sandy Cove, NS to No. Sandwich, NH
        • Day 18: Sandiwch, NH to Arlington, VA (Home)
      • Algonquin Park 2013 >
        • Day 1: Home to New York
        • Day 2: Chataugay State Forest to Brent, ON
        • Day 3: Brent, ON to Nipissing River Portage at Nadine Lake
        • Day 4: Nipissing River @ Nadine Lake Portage to first island in Red Pine Bay
        • Day 5: Red Pine Bay to Hogan’s Lake
        • Day 6: Hogan’s Lake to Catfish Lake
        • Day 7: Catfish Lake to Cedar Lake to Fredonia, NY
        • Day 8: Fredonia, NY to Brookville, PA
        • Day 9: Brookville, PA to Alexandria, VA
      • Think I'll ride to Montreal this weekend...
      • Ontario on a Whim
    • Maryland >
      • How to Hit a Tree, By ME!
      • Ruckus Stealth Camping in MD
      • Ruck'n around Southern MD
      • White's Ferry and some Maryland Backroads
      • 1000mi right near da' beach (2010)
    • New York >
      • Cornell, Niagara Falls and PA Coal Country (2012)
      • Finger Lakes trip to NY (2011)
      • New York City Trip (2011)
    • Pennsylvania >
      • Early Spring in PA
      • Michaux Camping
      • From a Wedding to "Where-da-fugawi?"
      • Pennsylvania Leaf Peeping (2012)
      • First Big Trip to PA (2010)
    • Virginia >
      • From the Mountains to the Sea in Ol' Virginny'
      • What the Fog? (Northern Neck, VA - 2013)
      • Uncle Bucks Ride to Eat and Snowy SNP
      • Charlottesville Area Ride
      • Serious Helmet Time in VA (2011)
      • Ruck'n Across Virginia (2010)
      • Impromptu Camping with 'DC Rider' (2010)
    • West Virginia >
      • Rella-Vous and Skippii Rescue
      • New River Gorge Ghost Town Exploration (2011)
      • Five States from Laurel Fork (Spring 2013)
      • A Little Dirt, A Little Clouds, A lotta Fun, WV (2012)
      • GS and an NSX? (2012)
      • Seneca Rocks Camping Two-Up (2011)
      • Panniers Only Club at Seneca Rocks, WV (2010)
      • Laurel Fork Fall 2010 on the Honda Ruckus 50cc (2010)
      • Dog Days Rally and Rella's Gift (2010)
      • Pops and Richmonders in WV (2010)
      • Rocket Boys (2010)
      • New River Gorge and Rella's (2010)
    • Cross Country 2009 >
      • Trip Preparation
      • Day 1: (Sept 3, 2010)
      • Day 2: (Sept 4, 2010)
      • Day 3: (Sept 5, 2010)
      • Day 4: (Sept 6, 2010)
      • Day 5: (Sept 7, 2010)
      • Day 6: (Sept 8, 2010)
      • Day 7: (Sept 9, 2010)
      • Day 8: (Sept 10, 2010)
      • Day 9: (Sept 11, 2010)
      • Day 10: (Sept 12, 2010)
      • Day 11: (Sept 13, 2010)
      • Day 12: (Sept 14, 2010)
      • Day 13: (Sept 15, 2010)
      • Day 14: (Sept 16, 2010)
      • Day 15: (Sept 17, 2010)
      • Day 16: (Sept 18, 2010)
      • Day 17: (Sept 19, 2010)
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Early Spring Day in PA

5/3/2013

The idea came to me as I fell asleep the prior evening...I should take off and go riding tomorrow. So that is what I did.

I woke up an hour earlier than I usually do for work. Riding is much more important to my soul. :norton The blossoms were out on the tree in front of the house:
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I slabbed it through 495 and 270 traffic up to Frederick. Pulling the reverse commute afforded me a wave at all those motorists trapped inside on such a beautiful spring day. Escaping the gravitational pull never felt more right. My first location of exploration was Gambrill State Park just NW of Frederick, MD.
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A view from the park looking West. I think this is Hagerstown?
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Walking back to the bike, the morning sunlight streamed through the pines making for some warm lighting.
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Dedicated to the men who cut down all the trees? Didn't stop and check.
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From the park I proceeded N until I wound up on some Dirt Roads. I came across a variety of deer, racoon and bear tracks in a mudboggin' pit
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So I made sure to leave my own tracks
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There were a number of cabins built in the traditional dovetail ends and chinked logs just down from the Frederick Reservoir. I made a U-turn to snap this front door framed by the old bushes. The owner stared disapprovingly from a side window. Take only pictures, leave only exhaust notes...
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Shortly thereafter, I came across this large fish cultivation center. This pic doesn't really do the scale justice.
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I rarely travel N on 15 without hitting Catoctin Hollow Rd
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From here the directions become fuzzy...but roughly N and W
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To this intersection I guess. Kept humming "Afternoon delight" for a bit
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I came around a bend and saw some radio/microwave towers and the remnants of an old Army base. The buildings suggested construction around the teens/twenties but had a much more gothic castle vibe to it than most bases I've seen.
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I took a break along the lake for a banana and some water. These lakes were created in the 19th century for ice cultivation.
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Feeling refueled, I beat feet down the road.
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It's me!
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And on up the road...
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Up through Michaux. I was hauling ass when I passed the "Now Entering" sign so figured this one would do :lol3
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I have only briefly ridden in Michaux. I only hit a few roads and there is much more left to explore.
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I look foward to hiking the AT through there as well. A big thanks goes out to JaxObsessed for introducing me to it.
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Life is rough...
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On Ridge Rd I eventually caught up to a logging truck throwing up a plume of dust. Fortunately the wind was strong enough to blow it away. I was in no hurry so held back for a minute to let the dust settle...literally.
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Another method of fish hatchery
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I began down this road until I spotted the PRIVATE: NO TRESPASSING sign. Fitting road name then asshole...
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There is a 50% chance that this is a prison for reformed Amish commandos. Prove me wrong.
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Just. Wow. Rt 274 Mt. Pleasant Rd and Germantown up ahead.
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I noticed a gravel road running up the ridge by the name of Old Germantown Rd. Just what I needed to get outta the hot valley and check out the view and some breeze.
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At the crest of the hill I spotted this sign and took a minute to have lunch and imagine the cold winter up there which feels sooo recent.
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I took action to rebuild this carin after I took this photo. It felt like the right thing to do.
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Coming down off Germantown Rd, I spotted some old CCC bridgeworks and the confluence of two streams. This seems like a great place for a photo op.
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Dat fish cray!
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And down on Shade Valley Rd I spotted this neat old cabin (originally circa 1850s?) A spring emitted from beneath the foundation.
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OMNOM NOM NOM
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Anyone know what this is? Pheasant? It was standing in the trail with feathers splayed until I got VERY close. I managed this shot just before nearly hitting it. Darwin was nearly at work. I would have cooked it up too :tb
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Sliding Hill Creek
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I wound down this gravel road and came bombing around a corner when I spotted this obstacle ahead. No wonder the lady tending her garden gave me an inquisitive nod when I passed and waved. She returned the wave on my exit as well :lol2
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The roads just suck you in.
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Roadside rolling shot of the Historic Riddlesburg COke Ovens (1913) used in the iron making industry around the turn of the century. http://www.saxtonpa.com/tourism.html
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Next thing I know I'm back in my element: lost on a mountaintop ATV trail
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The mountaintop to the left in this image to be exact.
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It was getting hot and around 5PM so I thought I'd get something cold. This was the first thing I saw and cheap. Frozen Dairy(?) Product. Whatever. The ice water was free :deal
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Still meandering in the general direction of home and disobeying my GPS unit, I stumbled across Saunderosa (similar to my last name) Campground.
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No SHIT! I was lost here before...in November
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Spring has Sprung
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Coming down into Hagerstown. I was up on that ridge earlier this morning.
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GAS IT!
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The sun was fading fast so I beat feet for home
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With a stop at Point of Rocks for a shot of the old train station and flowers
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Lighting was all wrong so I made do...
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Daily stats:
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After a well deserved shower and some grub, my roomate and I brewed up a Bourbon Barrel Porter. This should be ready in 4-6 weeks depending on how things go.
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Thanks for tagging along! Till next time :evil LAUREL FORK IS AROUND THE CORNER

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  • Scoot
  • Paddle
  • Pedal
  • Moto
    • The South >
      • Merchant's Millpond State Park, NC
      • BRP and a visit to Charlotte, NC
      • South Carolina and Back on my GS (2011)
      • Jaw-ja Trip #1 - Visiting my Nephew
      • Jaw-ja Trip #2 - Cousin's Wedding
      • "You rode 1300 miles for BBQ?!?" (2010)
    • Canada (eh) >
      • 2012 - Beards to Canada >
        • Day 1: Arlington, VA > Arlington, VT
        • Day 1-2 (Continued) Back to VA!!!
        • Day 3: Newburyport, NH > Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 4: Loafing around "The Neck"
        • Day 5: Sandy Cove, NS to Antigonish, NS
        • Day 6: Antigonish, NS to Meat Cove, NS
        • Day 7: Meat Cove, NS to Port Aux Basques, NFL
        • Day 8: Port Aux Basques to Port Saunders
        • Day 9: Port Saunders to Big Brook
        • Day 10: Big Brook, NL to Trans Lab Hwy
        • Day 11: Trans Lab Hwy to Pinware River
        • Day 12: Pinware River, LAB to Norris Point, NL
        • Day 13: Norris Point to Blue Beach
        • Day 14: Blue Beach, NL to Port Aux Basques Ferry
        • Day 15: Sydney, NS to Sandy Cove, NS
        • Day 16: Chillin on the Digby Neck
        • Day 17: Sandy Cove, NS to No. Sandwich, NH
        • Day 18: Sandiwch, NH to Arlington, VA (Home)
      • Algonquin Park 2013 >
        • Day 1: Home to New York
        • Day 2: Chataugay State Forest to Brent, ON
        • Day 3: Brent, ON to Nipissing River Portage at Nadine Lake
        • Day 4: Nipissing River @ Nadine Lake Portage to first island in Red Pine Bay
        • Day 5: Red Pine Bay to Hogan’s Lake
        • Day 6: Hogan’s Lake to Catfish Lake
        • Day 7: Catfish Lake to Cedar Lake to Fredonia, NY
        • Day 8: Fredonia, NY to Brookville, PA
        • Day 9: Brookville, PA to Alexandria, VA
      • Think I'll ride to Montreal this weekend...
      • Ontario on a Whim
    • Maryland >
      • How to Hit a Tree, By ME!
      • Ruckus Stealth Camping in MD
      • Ruck'n around Southern MD
      • White's Ferry and some Maryland Backroads
      • 1000mi right near da' beach (2010)
    • New York >
      • Cornell, Niagara Falls and PA Coal Country (2012)
      • Finger Lakes trip to NY (2011)
      • New York City Trip (2011)
    • Pennsylvania >
      • Early Spring in PA
      • Michaux Camping
      • From a Wedding to "Where-da-fugawi?"
      • Pennsylvania Leaf Peeping (2012)
      • First Big Trip to PA (2010)
    • Virginia >
      • From the Mountains to the Sea in Ol' Virginny'
      • What the Fog? (Northern Neck, VA - 2013)
      • Uncle Bucks Ride to Eat and Snowy SNP
      • Charlottesville Area Ride
      • Serious Helmet Time in VA (2011)
      • Ruck'n Across Virginia (2010)
      • Impromptu Camping with 'DC Rider' (2010)
    • West Virginia >
      • Rella-Vous and Skippii Rescue
      • New River Gorge Ghost Town Exploration (2011)
      • Five States from Laurel Fork (Spring 2013)
      • A Little Dirt, A Little Clouds, A lotta Fun, WV (2012)
      • GS and an NSX? (2012)
      • Seneca Rocks Camping Two-Up (2011)
      • Panniers Only Club at Seneca Rocks, WV (2010)
      • Laurel Fork Fall 2010 on the Honda Ruckus 50cc (2010)
      • Dog Days Rally and Rella's Gift (2010)
      • Pops and Richmonders in WV (2010)
      • Rocket Boys (2010)
      • New River Gorge and Rella's (2010)
    • Cross Country 2009 >
      • Trip Preparation
      • Day 1: (Sept 3, 2010)
      • Day 2: (Sept 4, 2010)
      • Day 3: (Sept 5, 2010)
      • Day 4: (Sept 6, 2010)
      • Day 5: (Sept 7, 2010)
      • Day 6: (Sept 8, 2010)
      • Day 7: (Sept 9, 2010)
      • Day 8: (Sept 10, 2010)
      • Day 9: (Sept 11, 2010)
      • Day 10: (Sept 12, 2010)
      • Day 11: (Sept 13, 2010)
      • Day 12: (Sept 14, 2010)
      • Day 13: (Sept 15, 2010)
      • Day 14: (Sept 16, 2010)
      • Day 15: (Sept 17, 2010)
      • Day 16: (Sept 18, 2010)
      • Day 17: (Sept 19, 2010)
  • Photos
  • Articles