Adventures With Buck

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69387255936531428382011-11-27T18:58:01.737-05:00Adventures With BuckExploring the C&O Canal and the Potomac River with my dog Buckmartyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-71143120391921499492009-08-01T22:19:00.002-04:002009-08-06T09:53:41.777-04:00End of step one

After 2 months it was time to step on the scale and see the results of my simple diet. For those just tuning in, I devised a diet based on cutting calories and tried to lose 15 pounds in two months (starting at 225). I also added extremely moderate exercise that included walking about two miles a day and a morning exercise routine that can be charitably described as a warm up.What was the result?

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-32999829758676180552009-07-30T23:11:00.000-04:002009-07-31T01:28:51.539-04:00C&O Canal worth the investment - and interest

Tim Rowland tried to generate interest in the C&O Canal in his column this week.It is good to see people trying to promote interest in the canal and the mostly forgotten life style that it created. I'm not sure if the expanded bicycle trail will help make people aware of the history of the canal but they will get more people on the towpath. One thing that would definitely help is better marked

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-29677684157118401972009-07-26T22:05:00.002-04:002009-07-26T23:23:33.412-04:00Progress after 8 weeks

After only seven weeks, I stepped on the scale and saw 210 pounds. As usual, the first ten pounds came off quickly and easily. The next five were a bit slower but didn't require much effort. And just as usual, I've stalled out and have not lost anything since.I'd like to lose 15 more pounds and do it by the end of October. This is going to be difficult if I can't increase my activity level. So

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-63259472161373106742009-07-23T07:12:00.001-04:002009-07-23T12:20:22.503-04:00Washington County, Md. Atlas

Large scale atlas with street level detail, showing ZIP Codes, block numbers, schools, hospitals, points of interest, shopping centers, airports, parks and more.I know what you are thinking, "Get a GPS already." While a GPS is a great tool for getting specific direction, I hate trying to look over a map on the screen. Sometimes I just want to leaf through a paper map and see my entire route or

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-38286861190971429152009-07-23T06:50:00.002-04:002009-07-23T21:23:10.880-04:00Fishing the upper Potomac River

Ken Penrod gives away his favorite fishing spots on the upper PotomacThink of this book as The C&O Canal Companion from the river's perspective. Ken Penrod knows about more than just fishing. If you plan on spending time on the Upper Potomac River, you need this book. If you plan on fishing the river, commit it to memory.

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-10052642556076696252009-07-23T06:34:00.001-04:002009-07-23T11:45:44.652-04:00The C&O Canal Companion

A mile-by-mile tour of the C& O Canal, the 184-mile Potomac River waterway that stretches from Washington, D.C., to the Appalachian Mountains -- including hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, bicycle shops, river outfitters, parks, and campsites.The big selling point here is a mile by mile list of what you will find along the canal. Points of interest are noted in the text and in small maps of the area.

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-73301959827164391442009-07-20T22:38:00.008-04:002009-07-21T16:05:10.004-04:00Avoiding injury

The root of my physical problems is my flat feet. They have caused me problems my entire life. The pain starts in my feet. You start to compensate by changing your walk. That causes your ankles to hurt. Then you knees, then your hips, and then your back. After years, a few minutes of standing becomes excruciating. I haven't been able to get much exercise since my last foot operation. I

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-9877276704350250282009-07-16T19:12:00.002-04:002009-07-21T12:47:14.122-04:00The Plan

So how do I plan to get back in shape? Well an aggressive diet and exercise program is out of the question. I haven't stuck to a diet in forty years and I am too afraid of an injury for vigorous exercise. No, the plan is to take it slow. Primarily, I want to eliminate as many calories as I can without impacting meals. For me, this means sugary drinks. I start my day with an average of five

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-67059829295714325002009-07-07T17:12:00.004-04:002009-07-07T17:42:36.866-04:00Starting Over

It has been over two years since I suspended Adventures with Buck. My reasons were based on my health and state of mind. In the intervening time, I have dealt with my own pain and my father's final battle with cancer. I can't say that it has been easy. In fact, my life has been a struggle since the spring of 2006 when my Dad called and told me he had lung cancer. I was dealing with my chronic bad

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-27723702245210702322007-05-28T21:25:00.009-04:002009-07-23T00:08:27.891-04:00The Paw Paw Tunnel

Flashlight, hiking boots, or both.Start Mile: 154.8 End Mile: 156.4 Time: 3 hoursWhen: AfternoonDirections: From Berkeley Springs, take WV 9 west to Paw Paw. Make sure to stop and enoy the view at the overlook along the way. Before you get to Paw Paw, 9 will oin 29. Rt 9 turns into rt 51 at Paw Paw. There is a boat lanch on the WV side of the river. There is a parking area for the C&O Canal Park

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-14962263996832512312007-04-28T20:50:00.026-04:002009-07-23T00:09:37.512-04:00East of Hancock

Starting to explore the Hancock areaStart Mile: 121 End Mile: 122.9 Time: 1 hour 40 minutes When: AfternoonDirections: Take Interstate 70 to Hancock, MD. Make a right toward Hancock onto 144. Make an immeadiate right into the maintenance drive for the C&O Canal. I finally had a day that I felt like getting out. I wanted to go someplace that we have not been before. While I've stopped at the Park

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-23225297090825106342007-04-03T17:29:00.012-04:002009-07-23T00:10:17.196-04:00Conococheague Aqueduct

Starting over in WilliamsportStart Mile: 99.5 End Mile: 101 Time: 50 minutes When: MorningDirections: Where route 11 crosses the Potomac is Williamsport. Right off of 11 is a visitor's center with plenty of parking.This was my first trip to the river after my foot surgery. My wife and I wanted to get out of the house as the weather finally improved. We decided to go to Williamsport and see how

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-49366093320645269532007-01-01T23:52:00.000-05:002009-07-22T17:03:20.805-04:00Some years are better than others...

...or, I got foot surgery for ChristmasSome things are not meant to be. Me exploring the C&O Canal last year was one of them.I started having problems early in the year but I thought I could deal with the pain. I was born with flat feet so foot pain is nothing new. I had to have corrective surgery in October 2002 to eliminate bone build up on the top of my right foot. It was back with a

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-89034333899988484172006-05-02T23:06:00.009-04:002009-07-23T00:11:01.908-04:00Fort Frederick

Getting to Big PoolStart Mile: 112End Mile: 112.5Time: 50 minutesWhen: Evening Directions: From Williamsport, take MD 68 to MD 56. Make a left on MD 56 and follow it to Four Locks Road. There are several one-lane bridges on MD 56. The entrance to Fort Frederick is a left off of 56. There is plenty of parking. Make the first left for the road to the canal or go straight to park near the

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-29298395672602631652006-03-20T23:29:00.014-05:002009-07-23T00:11:47.690-04:00Lock 44

Lockwood Road to the Cushwa BasinStart Mile: 99End Mile: 99.6Time: 50 minutesWhen: Evening 3/20/06 Directions: Route 11 to Williamsport. Take 68 east. Just before I-81, turn right onto Lockwood Road. Turn right at the storage units. There is not a parking area but there is room for about 4 cars before you get to the power plant. I just wasn't feeling the love at work today and I was ready for a

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-90083966111580030022006-03-18T22:09:00.002-05:002009-07-23T00:12:14.839-04:00Praether's Neck

Four Locks Road to McCoys FerryStart Mile: 109End Mile: 110.2Time: 1 HourWhen: Morning 3/18/06 Directions: From Williamsport, take MD 68 to MD 56. Make a left on MD 56 and follow it to Four Locks Road. There are several one-lane bridges on MD 56. Follow Four Locks Road to the signs for the boat ramp. There are several one-lane tunnels on Four Locks Road. There is parking at the boat ramp.I got up

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-57780610479219348242006-03-14T21:21:00.018-05:002009-07-23T00:12:50.944-04:00Yogi Bear

Charles Mill to Four LocksStart Mile: 109End Mile: 108Time: 1 HourWhen: Evening 3/14/06 Directions: From Williamsport, take MD 68 to MD 56. Make a left on MD 56 and follow it to Four Locks Road. There are several one-lane bridges on MD 56. Follow Four Locks Road to the signs for the boat ramp. There are several one-lane tunnels on Four Locks Road. There is parking and portable toilets at the boat

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-71103699443074371302006-03-13T23:32:00.010-05:002009-07-23T00:13:15.724-04:00East of Williamsport Revisited

Cumberland Valley Railroad bridge to Lockwood RoadStart Mile: 99End Mile: 97.3Time: 1.5 hoursWhen: Evening 3/13/06 Directions: Route 11 to Williamsport. Take 68 east. Just before I-81, turn right onto Lockwood Road. Turn right at the storage units. There is not a parking area but there is room for about 4 cars before you get to the power plant. It was a long hard day that included working through

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-17129441214685270182006-03-12T22:29:00.012-05:002009-07-23T00:13:50.088-04:00Dam Number 5

The Potomac Edison Power Plant to the Mule CrossoverStart Mile: 106.6End Mile: 108Time: 2 hoursWhen: Late morning 3/12/06 Directions: Take rout 11 to Williamsport. At MD68, head west and continue through Pinesburg. Make a left onto MD 56. Take the first left onto Dam #5 Road. Follow Dam #5 Road to the guard lock at Dam #5. There is a gravel parking area. This walk starts at Dam #5. Although it

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-5450980581149932842006-02-18T21:39:00.002-05:002009-07-23T00:02:36.996-04:00Dam #5 and east

Western MD Railroad piers to Dam #5Start Mile: 104.9End Mile: 106.6Time: 1 hourWhen: evening 2/18/2006 Directions: Take route 11 to Williamsport. At the junction of 68, head west. Take 68 through Pinesburg. Make a left onto MD 56, Big Pool Road. The next intersection is Dam #5 Road. Make a left and head south. Once the road narrows you will be paralleling the canal. There is room to park along

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-76160358618763984112006-02-04T21:31:00.001-05:002009-07-23T00:03:11.053-04:00East of Williamsport

Cumberland Valley Railroad bridge to Lockwood RoadStart Mile: 99End Mile: 97.3Time: 1 hourWhen: Afternoon 2/4/06 Directions: Route 11 to Williamsport. Take 68 east. Just before I-81, turn right onto Lockwood Road. Turn right at the storage units. There is not a parking area but there is room for about 4 cars before you get to the power plant. It was raining all morning so when we caught a break

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-8858757449649364282006-02-03T21:20:00.002-05:002009-07-23T00:03:39.667-04:00R Paul Smith Power Station

I-81 Bridge to the Cushwa BasinStart Mile: 99.6End Mile: 98.5Time: 50 minutesWhen: Evening 2/3/06 Directions:Route 11 to Williamsport. Parking is at the sharp turn just north of the river.A long week needs a relaxing walk before it gets cold again. This popular spot is an easy place to take a quick walk. This is one of our standard walks. Williamsport is one of the most popular points on the

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-81777695742455397262006-01-15T21:07:00.002-05:002009-07-23T00:04:31.574-04:00Fairview Mountain

Four Locks Road to McCoys FerryStart Mile: 109End Mile: 110.2Time: 1 HourWhen: Morning 1/15/06 Directions: From Williamsport, take MD 68 to MD 56. Make a left on MD 56 and follow it to Four Locks Road. There are several one-lane bridges on MD 56. Follow Four Locks Road to the signs for the boat ramp. There are several one-lane tunnels on Four Locks Road. There is parking at the boat ramp. There

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-78340883686706525752006-01-14T20:27:00.003-05:002009-07-23T00:05:04.725-04:00Shanktown Road

McCoy's Ferry to Fort FrederickStart Mile: 111.5End Mile: 110.2Time: 1 1/2 hoursWhen: Morning, 1/14/06 Directions: From Green Castle, PA, take 11 south to 63. Take 63 south to 40. 40 west through Clear Spring and make a left onto Boyd Road. Take Boyd until it ends at MD 56. Take 56 west and make a left on Shanktown Road. There is no parking but you can park along the tracks of the Western

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938725593653142838.post-76591857345006299042006-01-08T20:23:00.001-05:002009-07-23T00:05:42.256-04:00Gift Road

Western Maryland Railroad Spur across from Nestle QuarryStart Mile: 103End Mile: 105Time: 2.2 hoursWhen: Morning 1/8/06Directions: We took MD 56 to Dam #5 Road south. At Gift Road we turned left. There are a line of nice country homes here. Gift Road gets narrow and becomes gravel. There is a parking area where it ends at the park but it is hidden. I ended up parking off the side of the road

martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06568283018946461352noreply@blogger.com0