Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Rivers of the Appalachian Trail

On a trail approximately 2200 miles you are going to cross many roads and rivers. You never actually cross a ‘BUSY’ road or highway. All dangerous crossings have bridges or they us existing bridges. Naturally you cross a few Interstates, either under of over.
The trail crosses hundreds of city, county, logging and fire-cut roads.
Rivers are the same The trail crosses some very famous rivers.one of the prettiest is the Nantahala River. I am prejudiced here because this is the only river I have ever rafted.  But it is a beautiful river and it is crossed at a nice restaurant and a back country outfitters. There is also a small motel (pretty run down) for a shower and a good nights sleep before continuing on into the woods.
Hikers always stop and watch the kayakers and rafters in the white water. We had a nice meal and I traded packs here.
Then the Nolichucky River in Tennessee, and on to Roan Mountain and climb another 6,000+’ mountain.
Not far from here you pass the Audie Murphy monument. Audie was the most decorated soldier in WWII, After becoming an actor his plane crashed very near the trail. They used the trail to remove his body from the mountains.
A hiker crosses a lot of creeks, many must be forded. Of course you do not cross many creeks in the Shenandoah's because you are on the tops of the mtns and most nights have a state park where a hiker can take a shower and clean up. Going down Near Beauna Vista, you cross the James river. The AT crosses the Shenandoah River at Harper’s Ferry.
Then at Clark’s Ferry Bridge above Harrisburg, with US22, you cross the mighty Susquehanna River. the largest river on the trail.
Entering NJ (I think) you cross the Delaware, and head for Bear Mt. in NY for the next river the Hudson, using Bear Mtn Bridge.
800px-Bear_Mtn_Bridge
(This is the Bear Mtn Bridge. the Zoo and museum is just to the left  of this picture right at the bridge.)
Before you touch the Housatonic River in Connecticut, but still in NY, you come to the only RR stop on the trail. “The AT Train Stop”. A hiker can go into the city South or north to a city to get supplies or rest.
You cross the Connecticut River going into New Hampshire at Dartmouth University. The hiker crosses the Androscoggin at Gorham, NH then many creeks before coming to the BIGGIE. The Kennebec River in Maine. Here the ATC furnishes a canoe Ferry because the crossing has taken some lives.
There are still some creeks and rivers to cross but they will be forded.
The sights are great. Many places you would say there is nothing like this anywhere. But it is all just part of nature God had provided.
Thanks for reading this….
Nite Shipslog
PS:


The best vitamin for making friends...... B1.

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1921_Chevrolet_Model_490But - Copy

Only because I like it. 1921 Chevrolet Convertible.

10 comments:

shirl72 said...

You and Sherry have certainly seen
some beautiful scenry. I know you
are getting ready to get back on
the trail. Just be careful and watch your step.

Shirl

Paula said...

I bet a shower sure feels good after all that long hard hiking. I would need a cot to take a rest after the shower. lol

Chatty Crone said...

You are seriously getting to see the eastern United States up close and personal. Andy needs you as a tutor!

Awesome photos and story/information.

Sandie

Anonymous said...

What joy it must be to breath at such place.

Please have a good Wednesday you all.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

When you see nature up close and personal like that it must be extra special. I've always loved the outdoors but from a city girls standpoint of course. My hiking has been in our metro parks and state parks and my camping has always been in a camper not on the ground in a tent. But nature never fails to leave me in awe. You two are blessed to see so much of it.

Dar said...

How you remember all of those rivers and creeks, (What? no criks?, you know, the kind you can just step or jump over, but with a directional flow)~ anyway, I'm amazed and in awe of it all. I only walked the perimeter of our woods by the cabin once, and that was in the winter on snowshoes. I suppose the effort is about the same as climbing a mt.~~a heck of a lot of sweatin' with my oldie...ha!
Like your sister Shirl says, watch your step.
LoveYouTwo
BlessYourHearts

Louis la Vache said...

Jack, be sure to link this post to this coming Sunday's Sunday Bridges post!

It is somewhat amusing to «Louis» that the Chevrolet brothers began as race car builders, but when GM bought them, the make was turned into an economy car.

TARYTERRE said...

All these places you have seen. WONDEROUS indeed. I am a bit familar with Harper’s Ferry. But otherwise, didn't recognize too many of those places. GREAT adventures, for sure. Take care. New ones await.

Lucy said...

Great scenery and looks beautiful and peaceful. Just keep on sending those great pictures back. I love them.

Lindie said...

I Love that whole area. We cross and recross the susquehanna. And of course the Delaware Water Gap is close by to where my sister lives.
YOu were talking about heroes earlier. I just got out of the hospital where I consider my neuro surgeon one. He operated on my back yesterday and suddenly all my sciatic pain is gone. But the big hero I met today was a student nurse. She was injured in Afghanistan and has a 10 inch steel pin in her spine. So young and so brave!