Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The two RV Gypsies walked part of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
205 West Potomac Street
Williamsport, Maryland
June 19, 2017

Williamsport, Maryland is on the border by Virginia. The Canal runs through both areas. as shown below.

USA map showing location of MarylandMaryland and Virginia borders showing location of the CanalUSA map showing location of Virginia.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal began as a dream of passage to western wealth. It operated as a conduit of eastern coal, suffered extensive and finally fatal flooding, and then resisted being paved as a highway. It endures as a national historical park today - a pathway into history, nature, and recreation.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park sign sign about Williamsport, Maryland

history bookThe Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is located in the District of Columbia and the states of Maryland and West Virginia. The park was established in 1961 as a National Monument by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to preserve the neglected remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and many of its original structures.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park Act established the canal as a National Historical Park and President Richard Nixon signed it into law on January 8, 1971.

The canal and towpath trail extends along the Potomac River from Georgetown, Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland, a distance of 184.5 miles. In 2013, the path was designated as the first section of U.S. Bicycle Route 50.

bee on a flower

bee on a flower
boats near the parking lot start of this area's tow path
lots of ducks lots of ducks
lots of turtles a turtle
turtle

Below: The gray and white limestone Lock 44 is located adjacent to downtown Williamsport, with an earthen dyke that leads over to Main Street. Williamsport is one of nine Canal Towns, originally supporting the C&O Canal as a major commercial center and port.

Those who are interested in Canal infrastructure should note that examples of major canal structures are all on display along a half-mile stretch of towpath at Williamsport. In addition to Lock 44 and its two-story wood frame lockhouse (shown below), the Williamsport area also offers a re-watered section of the Canal, the Cushwa turning basin and the Conococheague Aqueduct. As a bonus, you can see one of the few remaining Bollman Iron Truss Bridges crossing the Canal here. However, due to a sudden rain storm, the two RV Gypsies were limited to walking a small portion of the tow path.

Lock 44 and its two-story wood frame lockhouse sign about the Canal Home

The towpath runs the length of the 184.5 mile long C&O Canal National Historical Park. Made of crushed stone, it is perfect for walking or biking. Access can be gained from from many different areas.

towpath and canal

towpath and canal

Lee Duquette reading the sign about the canal

lock 44
lock 44

Due to a sudden rainstorm, the two RV Gypsies had to return to the parking lot and their car without further exploration of the area.

barn

However, the two RV Gypsies drove around awhile and came to the Four Locks area. Unfortunately it was really just a place to launch boats. However, the two RV Gypsies experienced driving their car through several small, short, one-lane bridges and tunnels, even one tunnel that was flooded, as shown below.

small one-lane bridge one-lane tunnel that was flooded
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal sign beautiful scenery
one-lane tunnel that was flooded one-lane tunnel that was flooded
look below

This is not a linear site, so there are two choices for continued navigation below:

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies Continue navigation in the order of occurrence - Fort Frederick in Fort Frederick State Park

OR

return to a previous page Return to the Maryland menu to continue navigation in the order of your choice.