Our Last Full Day for this Trip!

Gary and Marcia made a "treat" for the group on Saturday morning!  Gary's family recipe of creamed dried beef that they served over potatoes or toast!  What a special breakfast for a camping trip!  Delicious!

After clean-up we rode bike on the trail from the CG into Connellsville.  We stopped en route to walk across a deserted railroad bridge.  Great view of the river!  Headed into town where there was a planned reenactment for later in the day, but there were native Indians and early type settlers there in costume talking about their heritage and displaying tools, foods, etc. of the past. Kathy and I sat with an Indian woman who helped us make a bead bracelet and each bead symbolized the world around us - earth, water, sun, bloodline, and spirit/God.  Very interesting.  We continued on the trail riding a total of 8 miles and then turning around and heading back to the CG.  It was a beautiful bike ride along the river.  Kathy and I never did catch up with the group after we finished our bracelets.  They took the Sheepskin Trail to see the Coke Furnaces.  Kathy and I missed the turnoff for that trail!

In the Middle of the deserted RR Bridge!

This native Indian was in native costume including the loin cloth!

What a gorgeous trail!

Standing at one of the Coke Furnaces!

We crossed over 2 wooden bridges along the bike trail!



We returned to the CG around 12:45, ate lunch and then loaded up our kayak to
drive into Connellsville to the launching area.  The rest of the group rented kayaks at the CG and then were shuttled to this area.  We enjoyed a leisure 3 mile trip down the River to our CG, stopping along the way to watch the young people dive from the RR bridge we had walked along that morning.  They must be crazy to shimmy up to the top of that bridge.  Oh to be young and naive!!
The paddle down the river went through several area with rapids that were a lot of fun, but it would have been better if the water had been abit deeper.  We spent about 2 hours on the river and thoroughly enjoyed our adventure!



Diving from the tippy top and from half way up the bridge!



The Happy Kayakers!!



 Saturday evening was another late dinner cooked over the campfire.  It was a full day and we headed to bed around 11:30.  Can't believe we will be heading home in the morning!

We were on our way back home by 11:15 Sunday morning and in Akron by 4.  What a phenomenal 5 days!  Quickly unloaded and had everything in its place by 5.  Jamie had invited us for dinner so we were there by 5:30.  Lanie's family was there also.  So good to see everyone and Jamie had a delicious meal.  Home by 8:45.  So tired.  It has been a busy 5 days!!!  We will not be back on the road again until Thursday, July 5th when we go with Sam and Kathy to New York to Letchworth and Wellsley State Parks.  It should be a lot of fun!