Billy Goat Trail 2019

Last month I hiked the Billy Goat Trail, sort of, with a friend as we have done fortthe past two decades. This year marked the end of the annual hike, for me at least, as my subtle yet real vision deterioration following my four eye surgeries last year preclude me any more from scrambling atop the many jagged rock edges along the boulder fields which intermittently make up the 3-mile rugged, rocky trail.  It immediately became apparent to me that there was too much risk now of a stumbling mis-step on such tricky terrain, with undoubted disastrous consequences. Time passes and things change. So we retired to the C&O Canal Towpath and had a nice 4-mile walk.

We encountered wildlife along the way, turtles in the water and a preying mantis underfoot (which we shooed off the trail).  The view from the overlook gave us dizzying views of roaring, rushing water underneath the bridge to the viewing point.

I always love the reflections that play along the still waters of the canal.  Off the trail down by the backwater channels of the Potomac are little sandy beaches with wading pools where tourists sometimes swim but it is illegal and dangerous, with a prohibitive risk of death by being swept away.

At the conclusion of three enjoyable hours spent perambulating the towpath, we retired from the park till next year.