The Magic Continues - Day 114

  Beautiful weather today! The last one for a while, so I made it a point to enjoy. But it sure was easy. Another gorgeous section of trail. (A lot of road walk, but) this is more of State Game Lands 95. Starting at Dead Crow Bridge.

These three miles are filled with mystery and fantasy.

The bridge spans the North Branch of Bear Creek. Can you feel the magical quality of the waters?

There's a place in New York on the trail called Rock City, but Pennsylvania has one too.

At the other end of this stretch is Bear's Mouth Bridge.

It's just above the confluence of the North Branch with Bear Creek. I ate lunch here. How perfect is this?

And today, I crossed the Allegheny River. Big water. Big bridge. 1140 feet. Even so, it is not the longest bridge that is part of the North Country Trail. (Other than the Mackinac Bridge, I think that would be the new Crown Point Bridge at 2200 feet)

Just a comment. The last time I hiked this magical section, it was winter 2005. I guess the magic wasn't as strong then... or we were just watching our feet more carefully. But I want you to know that not only did I talk Marie into hiking in the winter, I got her to do acrobatics, since the Bear's Mouth Bridge was missing. We were at least provided with one stringer. I was very happy to find a bridge there today. It's a wonder Marie still follows me to the woods.

Miles today: 16.5. Total miles so far: 1498.3.

See State Game Lands 95