Rain. We had plans to get up early and mountain bike at Jake’s Rocks, but decided to take it easy and wait it out. After breakfast, we spent time updating the blog and planning for the day. At noon, we left the apartment and headed north on 321, then north west on the Longhouse National Scenic Byway to the Kinzua dam area. Picnicked during a lull in the rain at Jakes Rocks and watched hawks fly between the trees. Walked to the overlook. Then we drove over the bridge to the marina and hiked up the Rimrock Trail. Steady climb through the trees to an amazing summit of huge rocks with two viewing areas on top and a staircase carved up through the middle. We met no other hikers going up but a few going down, probably because despite the earlier dire weather forecast, the rain was nowhere to be seen and the sun shone.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/allegheny/recarea/?recid=75413
Then we drove to the Kinzua Bridge State Park. What a great find; built in 1882, this viaduct was at one time the tallest and longest in the world. In 2003 a tornado struck and most of the columns collapsed into the valley below. The remaining uprights were transformed into a sky-way where you can walk out to a precipice and view the devastation. Not for the faint of heart, but the view of the valley trees beneath you was just wonderful. The old railroad track has been converted into a 74-mile-long bike path. A nicely laid out and maintained state park with a good museum.
Here is a video of today’s adventures;
Rimrock Trail, Jakes Rocks & Kinzua Bridge State Park YouTube 8.28.20
The repurposed remains of that bridge looks positively frightening though the views are quite something !
Having read The Times today and all the grim coverage of the RNC it’s heartening to hear you are seeing some Biden signs. Wish we were not four years away from an election over here !
Trip seems pretty amazing so far. All the best for the rest of it.
We are ignoring the RNC. Its better that way.