With an Auto Train ticket in hand, I inched a bit further west into Virginia in mid-October -– less than a two-hour drive. I’d originally planned to put my tent up along the Potomac River but absurd camping fees changed my mind. This was quite a blessing in disguise as overnight temperatures then dropped into the 30s el pronto. Life took me to the small town of Woodford for a cabin without plumbing but with one electric plug and a portable heater. It was quite cozy though I was definitely wide awake for the early morning walk for the first cup of coffee. The neighborhood was as quiet as can be, the host was a charming, outdoorsy woman, and the narrow country roads were cautiously bikable. Most of my free time was spent 10 minutes up the road in Bowling Green, a spot where I’d spent an hour or two on a 2010 bike adventure. The town is actually the birthplace of thoroughbred horse racing in North America as the Hoomes family, who were granted land by the Crown in 1669, imported the first thoroughbred racehorses and were avid breeders. It’s a sweet place with an active Main Street and about 1200 folks, but geographically it’s at too many crossroads (the intersection of routes 301, 207 and 2). My first day in town I was enamored with the friendly, chatty people, as well as the availability of hot water and a flush toilet. It’s true. A few days later, I was at the Harvest Festival greeting familiar faces and debating crab bisque or crab cakes. Good choice all around. Yes, the Potomac River I’ve had my eye on Colonial Beach, Virginia for a year or two as an Airbnb listing caught my attention. The owner is a retired Teacher/Librarian and his description is warm and welcoming. As circumstances go, he’s in Texas meeting his grandchild, but his partner has been taking good care of me. Colonial Beach is just 2.8 square miles in total area, yet the town's two-and-a-half miles of beaches are the second longest in Virginia. It’s a unique place of about 4,000 people that’s bounded by the Potomac River to the east and Monroe Bay to the west. While I didn’t play tourist (too much), it’s also the birthplace of George Washington and James Monroe. An interesting fact is that the land along the Potomac is Virginia but the River is Maryland which continues to create interesting circumstances such as “the infamous oyster wars” from 1865-1959, and today, “the Riverboat on the Potomac” (read: casino cruise). Nevertheless, none of this interfered with an enjoyable time here on two feet and two wheels as I admired the views, the small beach cottages and the remaining 19th century architecture. People are friendly, and along my bike route I counted no less than 10 Little Library boxes; pausing at each and every one while pondering trades. In the morning I return to driving mode for what I hope will be a 1.5 hour trek to the train station.
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As September rolled in, it was time to ponder Fall destinations and point south from the Northeast before seasonal weather brought too cool temps. Usually, I would have a few destinations in mind that I’m curious to see or considering for home base. This year, my mind was nearly a blank slate. One town, Boone, North Carolina, was a consideration, though I haven’t seen many affordable home possibilities. I tossed the idea around but visiting this one small town meant creating an itinerary all the way south once again. Honestly, I’m feeling “been there, done that” with most of the Carolinas and Georgia. So, I put Boone on the Spring list then booked an Auto Train ticket south from Virginia for late Fall. Yesterday, I read a local news headline stating, “Residents of Boone say it could take weeks, months, or years before they fully recover from Hurricane Helene.” Was my decision just luck? I don’t believe in it. Do I have guardian angels watching over me? Most likely. Is my karma really good? Obviously. Will I be forever grateful that my path took me to Maryland and Virginia? Absolutely. I’m thankfully staying in Mechanicsville with most days spent in nearby Charlotte Hall. Bordered by the Wicomico River, the Western Shore of Maryland is yet another area of my former state that is new to me. "Mechanicsville Village" was established in 1850 on the Three Notch Trail, and was a center for blacksmiths and other craftsmen, with the word "mechanic" referring to skilled tradespeople. Education practices and development in Pennsylvania brought Amish and Mennonite communities to the area in the 1940s. What brought me to this particular spot? The 11-mile Three Notch Trail, a multi-use trail in progress to follow the 28-mile county railroad right-of-way parallel to the road. The name is attributed to a 1704 law that “three notches of equal distance shall be marked on trees to indicate a road leading to a ferry”. It’s been a fairly interesting stay for a month with a woman who has spent her life here. The neighborhood, Country Acres, has homes with an acre or more so it’s quite peaceful, walkable and kind of hilly to bike. It’s interesting living in this environment as I find the distance from neighbors enjoyable, but the village centers have gone by the wayside.
Unfortunately, the main routes surrounding the neighborhoods are too busy to bike and the distance too far to walk, so there is very little you can do without getting in your car. There’s commuter transit but no local service. Pretty much I have been in my car 6 out of 7 days a week in order to ride the Trail, use the Library, visit a County park, or shake my head at the Food Lion. It’s yet another perspective of a lifestyle that seems so appealing for so many reasons except the car dependence. Trust me, when I’m 80, you don’t want me behind the wheel of my Honda Element. |
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February 2025
AuthorCyclist, writer, teacher, avid reader, bike/ped advocate, nomad, pie lover Categories |