Chisel Branch to Swains Lock; Distance = 13.9 Miles; People Met = 12
Our morning started off with being hailed from the other side of the canal. Dave Hoerauf looked to be out mending fences around a broad expanse of pasture. After expressing encouragement for what we were doing he informed us that the land on that side of the canal was the Poplar Springs Animal Refuge. This is a nonprofit that provides a haven for abandoned or abused farm animals. I told Dave that definitely will make my Kindness Blog.
Dave Hoerauf across the canal at the Poplar Springs refuge
During the day we stopped for chats with Derrick a firefighter on a fitness run, and Tracy a designer of backpacking gear hiking to a gathering for hammock makers and aficionados.
Tracy the hammock inventor
Our destination was Swains Lock, where we met none other than Irving Swain. His grandfather was the last locktender at that lock. Locktenders were on 24/7 call to open the locks for passing boats and were given canal quarters to live in near the locks. The canal ceased operations in 1924 but some locktenders remained for awhile afterwards. Irving’s cousin remained at the Swains quarters until just a few years ago.
Irving Swain at Swains Lock
We felt fortunate to speak with Irving but he provided yet another humbling experience for me. At age 75 himself, he asked if I was 70. As we parted he kept saying he’ll probably see us when we choose to do this again. Um, well …..
We met Ky at Swains Lock and she brought us into a nearby Starbucks where we posted to the Internet. We also got to chat with employee Jay after he got off duty. On our trip out and back to the campsite we encountered the burgeoning suburban traffic for one of the very few times during the trip.
Jay getting off shift at Starbucks
Back at the campsite we met several people. I chatted with Brian, who biked across the country last year. Elaine and Simba walked by, noticed our REI tent and thanked us for having it … Simba works for REI.
Elaine and Simba appreciated our REI tent
We spent time at a neighboring campsite with five young adults (from our perspective) who biked out from the DC area just for the evening. The work for four out of five of them related to transportation, two were with the Department of Transportation, yet none of them owned cars. They were most gracious to us older folks (not 70 years old, mind you) and shared their bratwurst with us.
Transportation folks without cars
