The NPS’s personal vendetta against us

Campsite tonight: at Swains Lock, C&O Canal Park mile marker 16.6
Miles biked: ~22
Bananas eaten: 3
Times fallen over despite Susan never having ridden with front panniers before: 0!
Sets of stairs descended with fully loaded bikes: 3 (detour in the trail)
Number of working water pumps in the entire Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park: 0, until April 15

A gorgeous afternoon of biking and a magnificently situated campsite were great ways to start our trip, however, they were somewhat spoiled by the realization that there is no water available at any of the campsites in the whole 180-so miles of the park until after we’ll have already left it, because apparently they just haven’t been turned on yet for the season. I’m not sure why the National Park Service is trying to throw a wrench in our plans, but it is certainly not very nice. Fortunately, there’s a lot of little towns, businesses, and etc all along the canal where we can beg or buy water for the duration. In the meantime, here’s a few pics:

1. Along the canal
2. Susan
3. View of the Potomac from our campsite
4. Ditto
5. A present from our friends Amy and Nathan that we carried with us in an envelope to open today. What a sweet idea!!!