Today as I was riding along I came to a group of 12 to 15 men in orange coveralls, trimming the trail bordering trees. There was one guy in what looked like a uniform of some kind. A couple of them made friendly comments to me or about my bike. When. I passed their truck, I saw it was from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. In just a few minutes I came upon quite a pretty, nicely tanned girl wearing a halter and shorts. I immediately wanted to turn around and ride back to observe what reaction she was going to get from the cons.
In the afternoon I past a large group of teenage riders. They were all friendly and greeted me warmly. The guys all looked unremarkable, but the girls were all riding while wearing quite plain dresses. I concluded that they were probably Mennonites.
And the final story from the road today happened on the way to Falling Water. I was riding along when up ahead I saw one animal chase another across the road, putting both in danger of being hit by a car. They survived and just as I was getting to where they had crossed, they crossed back, right in front of me. This time I saw that it was a rabbit, with a fox in hot pursuit. Don't know the end of this story, but I guess foxes have to get their dinners somewhere.
I talked to Andy on the phone a couple of days ago and when he learned where I was, he strongly suggested that I try to get to Falling Waters. For those not acquainted with it it is a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is now owned and shown by a conservation group in this area. I had heard of it, but of course didn't really know anything. It is 3 miles off the trail at a town that I was to go through at mid day. When I got to Ohiopyle at 11:00 I called and learned that there was an opening in the 12:00 tour group. I figured I could make three miles in an hour, even though I knew there were hills involved. In fact the hill was such that I would not have made it had the woman at the information office not allowed me to leave my bags in her office. As it was I arrived at 11:56. Not only was there a hill going, but once you get to the top of it you then go down steeply, so that there is a big hill on the return as well. This is the steepest climbing I've done since Coulee City. But it was worth it. As the Nike ad says, Just Do It, yourselves. I really enjoyed seeing the house.
After a bit of a rest back at the trail I figured I could do another 20 miles and the map indicated a town there that had sleeping accommodations. When I got to where the town should be there was nothing to be seen. Fortunately before long I overtook a woman who was riding and I asked if we would soon be getting to Dawson. She replied, "On no, you've passed Dawson." Turns out it is on the other side of the river and there is no sign saying so. Back I went and when I got into town I asked the first person I saw about a motel or B and B. My would-be informant assured me there was no such thing in that town, but five miles out of town there was a camp ground - maybe. When pressed he suggested that I go to the big white house two blocks up on the left, and just ask if the occupants had any ideas. This I did and indeed they had the idea that I should stay with them. They had done B and B in the past, but not for several years. Their home is a fine Victorian, painted so as to accent the detail. It was built as the home of a mining baron. I think you will find a picture of Patty and Eugene and one of their parlors.
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