Reached Indian Flats at about 6:30 pm. I’m beat. Odometer reads 601, 73 miles today. Tomorrow will be a short ride into DC. I saw a wild turkey today. I have yet to get a wildlife picture because I have the camera in the panniers behind me. I can’t get stopped and dig out the camera in time.

I think the folks that made the sleeping bag I bought were a little, shall we say, optimistic in the comfort/temperature ratings. I froze my ass off last night! It took me two cups of hot coco, a bowl of hot oatmeal, a campfire, and an hour of standing in the sun with every piece of clothing I had just to stop my teeth from chattering. So, I got a little later start then usual today and I am pooped tonight. It was almost noon before I took off my coat today.

Oh, the hike/bike campsite (North Mountain) was less then a mile further down the trail – oh well. The guide I was using as well as the park service map is off on the location of the site. They state that it is at milepost 110.0 but it is more like 109.6. I was coming down the trail so I found the McCoys Ferry site where the North Mountain site should have been.

Well, barring any major problems, I should be home tomorrow. I think I will take a long hot bath. A rabbit just ran through camp and a squirrel is running in the branches overhead.

I saw a little of the train wreck at Point of Rocks on my way through. From what I hear, 21 cars were derailed, but no one was injured. It happened about midway between where I camped the first night and where I am camping tonight.

From where I am camping tonight I can see one of the local power plants with it’s two tall smokestacks. They are all lit up so the planes don’t hit them. Kind of pretty in a “What in the hell are they doing in my sunset?” kind of way.

I guess I have not said much about the ride today. I am still trying to figure out how I feel I guess. On the one hand, I know I have several days left to get home and there is no hurry. On the other, I have seen this trail (especially the part I will cover tomorrow) and I am going home. What do I gain by taking my time? But hey, I bet that after a good nights sleep, I will feel like taking my time in the morning.

Hey! It’s after 8:00pm and someone forgot to turn the frogs on! I guess that they don’t like the moving waters of the Potomac, just the still water that collects in the canal channel. Well, it’s off to bag with me, it’s getting to dark to see.