MD C&O Canal Section 5: Noland's Ferry to Brunswick

Spring is full-on and our winter views of the Potomac are now becoming screened by bright green new growth across the flood plain forest. The canal is sometimes dry, sometimes watered. Where there is water there are red-belly sliders and painted turtles hauled out on logs. We heard our first bull frog of the year and a few trilling toads. Pileated woodpeckers were everywhere, as were red-bellied woodpeckers and northern flickers. 

Blue Phlox

Golden Ragwort.

Paw Paw blossoms

Redbuds, Dogwods, and Paw Paw trees were all in bloom - and with the Paw Paws there were our first Zebra Swallowtails for the year.  There were gigantic old Sycamores and ancient old Maples. Boxelder and Tulip Poplar filled in the spaces between the old ones and the river.  But with all the blossoms and buzzing bumblebees and flitting butterflies there was the constant hum of diesel engines and rhythmic rattle and thump of freight and coal trails. Some were just yards from the path and we stopped to watch them all rumble by giving a wave to every engineer. 

Point of Rocks B&) Tunnel (unused)

Point of Rocks Station (c. 1930s) 

Two historic railroad towns are located along this stretch of C&O, Point of Rocks and Brunswick. Of special interest to me was the cliff face at Point of Rocks on the wide curve of river where we heard Turkey Vultures nesting above, Ravens, too. Later, while having late lunch at Points of Rocks station, my sister saw a Peregrine Falcon heading for the cliffs. Ravens are making a big comeback along the Potomac cliffs from Point of Rocks through Western Maryland and its always great to hear them croaking so close by.

Catoctin Aqueduct

Collapsed aqueduct after a flood.

We walked over the fully restored Catoctin Aqueduct and over a board bridge around a washed out culvert which seems to be in line for some repair work. All the while the trains rumbled by until within a mile of Brunswick we began to hear the crash of rail cars and hum of idling diesel engines. Our last mile and a half was crowded with scouts and families on bikes and walking dogs, many of them staying at the campground that sits right on the canal road. It was wonderful to see everyone out and about and being very considerate with masks on while passing us two slow pokes. What really got my attention while passing the campground was the smell of burgers cooking! OMG. So of course we had to go get our late lunch at Boxcar Burgers in town. A great 11.5 mile day followed by a great burger!

Dryad's Saddle, Cerioporus squamosus

OMG were these burgers delicious! 

Till next time, C&O