Riding to Smithton, PA

Here we are getting reading to ride at in the garage at Ram’s place of work.This is a view of PIttsburgh as we cross the Hot Metal Bridge and the Monongahela river.This was a photo opportunity in Homestead, just outside of Pittsburgh.We were riding near the railroad tracks  for some time.  I believe the place was called Duquesne.We crossed the Monongahela river into McKeesport.This was a break for a second breakfast for some of us.  Shankar had not had his morning coffee as yet.This near the confluence of the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers.  From now on we will leave the Monongahela, and ride along the Yough.The trail climbed into the woods.  The people who built the GAP left this stretch of railroad tracks standing beside the trail. The GAP is a railtrail.We made a stop at Boston and met a very interesting trail volunteer. We spent a long time chatting with him.I thought this house by the trail looked interesting.We made many stops to take in the views and chill out.This waterfall was depositing some white mineral on the rocks.  It could have been either natural or from some old abandoned mine.We took a break at the Beuna Vista ramp.  We had stopped here to eat teplas when we rode the trail last time in 2016.  We were too full from the late breakfast this time.This section of the trail was built on the right of way of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie railroad.This waterfall carries iron from the remains of an old mine.The bike must have been dropped in the water.We saw fallen trees in a few places, but this was the only location where the trail was completely blocked.  We could easily get under the fallen tree.At the West Newton train station that has been converted into a museum and gift shop.Crossing the Yough to go into town at West Newton.We spent some time in West Newton.We then got back on the trail after crossing back over the river. Here we are approaching the end of the ride for the day. At this point, we got off the trail and crossed the river once again into Smithton.We easily found the Bed & Breakfast place where we were staying for the evening. One of the natives knew exactly what we were looking for when he saw four tired people on their bikes.The building is a three story affair that is really old – from the early 20th century.  It belonged to the family of the current owner who now happens to also be the volunteer Mayor of Smithton.  It was used as a boarding house in times past.  There is a lot of history in the place that I have no time to expand on at this point.

The place used to have a working bar.There used to be a brewery in town.We spent a delightful and very relaxed evening on the porch chatting. There was not much choice in town for dinner.  We ordered pizza from the only place that was open, and consumed it while enjoying our liquid refreshment in the cool evening breeze as the sun set.  We also took a walk through the town.  It did not take too long to get through it.  It is a really small place. Smithton is close to the railroad tracks.  You can hear the music of the rails and the whistle of the engines as as the freight trains roar by.  But I did not hear any trains during the night.  I must have slept well.

We rode about 40 miles yesterday.