PA and MD

[lonerider]

Since the local weather was supposed to be excellent today and recent rains had washed most of the salt off the roads, I had a good opportunity for a day long ride. I decided to take the FJR to see if my new knee was becoming more tolerant of the FJR's seating position and was delighted to find out it is. Rode some old familiar back roads through Smithsburg, MD to Waynesboro, PA, Greencastle, and Ft Loudon, where I got on Rt. 30 heading west. At the top of Tuscarora Summit:

PA 475 from Clear Ridge to Hustontown has long been one of my favorites. Looking east from the intersection of Plum Hollow Rd. and PA 475:

The reason PA 475 is one of my favorites are the great views both to the west

and the east

At the top on PA 16 between McConnellsburg and Cove Gap, PA, great views in both directions:

Just down the hill, PA 456 turns off and provides a nice ride to Indian Springs in MD. I've been watching this old stone house deteriorate over the years on 456; it's sad, looks like it took a lot of work to build and someone was likely very proud of it at some time in the distant past:

As a comparison, I took this picture of it in 2002 with one of my first digital cameras:

Made a quick stop at the Sharpsburg battlefield park:

then gassed up and headed for home. Temps were mid 40s to upper 50s, beautiful sunny day. Can't wait to do it again, Tom

 

[Niehart]

Awesome, thanks for taking us along.

I always wonder about the history of those old homes and barns.

 

[Surly]

Awesome, thanks for taking us along.
I always wonder about the history of those old homes and barns.

+1 Thanks.

Best regards

Surly

 

[lonerider]

Awesome, thanks for taking us along.
I always wonder about the history of those old homes and barns.

I've always wondered about the people who once lived there. The land is still farmed and some of the outbuildings are still in use; if I ever see anyone on the place, I'll ask them. There must have been some skilled stonemasons living in that area back in the day; I've seen several other places constructed the same way on that road.