Cycling the Michael Castle Trail in Delaware

To date...

this is my favorite ride. 

Beginning of the trail. 

Disclaimer...

it was a beautiful day 

as well. 

Several bridges cross the canal.

Start in the historic 

Delaware City, DE 

located along the 

Delaware River. 

There is parking available. 

Delaware City, DE

Ride to the 

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Trail 

aka Michael Castle Trail

and pedal 14.8 miles to 

Chesapeake City, MD. 

Have some refreshment near the end point 

in Chesapeake City

at Schaefer's Canal House. 

You can explore the city as well. 

Here is info on that. 

If you are so inclined, 

extend your ride off trail

to Green Point or Emily Point 

or take the bridge over the canal 

and ride Randalla Rd to the tip of the bay. 

Another option is

the trail around Lums Pond. 

Just don't miss the hard right 

on the Canal Trail just after the RR bridge 

where you have 

to work your way to and through 

a marina to get back on the trail. 

(See map below)

The canal activity provides added interest. 

And when you return to Delaware City, 

visiting Ft. Delaware State Park by ferry to 

Pea Patch Island is a great option. 

I've done that visit previously. 

Then you can end your day at Crabby Dick's 

for a well deserved dinner. 

Three sections of the trail.

Also nearby is Ft. Dupont State Park:

For more images of this ride, click here. 

There is plenty to fill a day in the area.

so have a great day! 

  

A Walk in the Rain: Partnachklamm

I've just returned from a wonderful vacation in Germany 

with my family and my husband's cousin's family, 10 of us in all. 

There we visited Munich, Garmisch Partenkirchen (GaPa) and Schwäbisch Hall - 

but best of all we met my husband's Germany family there. 

One of our rainy day stops was to the Partnachklamm (a gorge.) 

It didn't matter that it was raining since the gorge is wet anyway. 

The gorge is easily accessible near the Olympic Ski Stadium. 

It is about a 20 minute walk from that point. 

Just follow the signs up the hill behind the stadium. 

The cost is a few Euros, cheaper if you have the GaPa Card from a local hotel stay. 

While the gorge has open hours, it still seems accessible when closed 

as the gates were left open. 

We had several rainy days in GaPa, 

so instead of the blue glacier water 

there was brown raging water. 

You can make this into a loop hike with a some uphill effort. 

It is worth it. 

Above the gorge you will find bridges that cross over the gorge below. 

Looking down from a bridge above

Here's the path we took: 

Map if Partnachklamm Trails

In either direction you can use the Graseck Cable Car if you prefer. 

At the top there is also the opportunity for refreshments.  

The Ski Stadium 

A Loop Through and Over the Gorge

Our loop began at the Olympic Ski Stadium in Partenkirchen. 

Keep right and follow the road uphill. (20 min)

If you prefer, take a horse carriage ride. 

It will save your legs but you won't get there any faster. 

The gorge entrance is after some small shops. 

The walk through the gorge is mostly flat 

although wet and uneven surfaces. 

It helps to have a flashlight through the tunnel areas. 

The need for rain gear depends on how much rain there has been. 

After exiting the gorge take a hard left and climb uphill. 

Follow the sign to the Eiserne Brücke for your descent. 

(If you continue passed this sign you will find 

refreshments and the cable car down.) 

Allow 2 hours minimum,  

less if you do not do the full loop. 

It is possible for someone to drop you off near the gorge entrance, 

however parking near there is only for hotel guests. 

Just Pay the Troll: A Unique Bridge in Midland, M

 

Trip, trap, trip, trap. 

Who's that crossing across my bridge tridge?  

Say what? 

A tridge - as in bridge minus the b 

with a t instead.  

I wonder if the Three Billy Goats Gruff 

ever heard of a tridge?  

- It's a three way bridge. 

The Tridge is located 

at the confluence of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers 

in Midland,  Michigan. 

(The river names are Native American.)  

 

I wonder if the trolls take E-Z Pass too. 

You can see more images from this set are here. 

Midland is in Michigan

The City of Bridges

The Free Bridge in a Fog

Easton, PA:
A civil engineer's paradise.


Bridges Over Bridges

Once a hub of industrial transportation,
this small city boasts not only bridges,
but canals and rivers too.


Underneath  Bridges 

Surrounding the backdrop of this historical eye-candy,
Easton has been reinventing itself as a tourist town.




The Toll Bridge

Offering festivals
museums
tours
trails
concerts
trendy shops
and restaurants...



Abandoned Bridges

...Easton has almost become a worthwhile destination.
If it wasn't for the abundance of guards hollering and shouting at people
it would be a worthwhile destination.
And drive very carefully,
because police citations appeared rampant too.
I'm not sure what the reason was for soooo many people getting pulled over.
That part seemed a little hostile.


Rivers and Bridges

But it is a destination that is calling me to return.


Distant Bridges

On a recent day trip, my camera and I
only covered a square mile of what is to be seen and photographed.


Pants-on-the-Ground Bridges - They have them too. 
(I just learned you are not allowed to take pics from this bridge. 
Stupid.) 

Nearby Phillipsburg (NJ),  Lehigh and Allentown
offer up visual feasts as well.


River's Edge

And, I really need to figure out how to access
a rock outcrop that provides an visual overview of Easton.
I know it is possible.
I've read about it.
I've seen the images.
I just couldn't locate the access.


A Sad Bridge 

So, I am going back.
Soon.


Red's Bridge, Phillipsburg, NJ 
Officer 'Red' lost his life responding to a call of a domestic dispute. 

Only this time,
I will find one of those trendy, upscale places for lunch.
Yum.

A number of these images have been edited with 
Topaz Impression. 
They offer 30 day trials. 
Here is a $10 off link 
you can use if you find something you like.

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