Along the C&O Canal Towpath

Although our scramble over the rough Billy Goat Trail during the weekend had been cut short by my friend's shoe falling apart, thus introducing unacceptable, albeit remote, risk on parts of the trail involving rock-face traverses along high points with drop-offs below in case the shoe caught or failed completely, we had a nice stroll along the C&O Canal towpath.  I enjoyed watching reflections cast upon the still canal water by clouds overhead, the rocky shoreline and foliage in the background.

There was also wildlife around us.  I snapped a picture of a crane perched upon a log by the far shore.

We walked over to Virginia from Maryland in achieving the river overlook point just off the towpath.  The river was flowing fast and frothy as seen from Olmstead Island, which is Virginia soil although separated from the Old Dominion by the rushing river.

Our three-hour traipse done, we noticed an interesting, working relic from the past along the way by the park entrance.  I haven't seen one in years, although they used to be common everywhere.