I'm in West Newton, only 30 miles from the end, Pittsburgh. I like West Newton because they have restaurants with good food and stuff drinks, and I've discovered a fabulous place to camp.
This is the GAP Campground, right off the trail, right by all the food, and it is fabulous. Under that pavilion are nice places to sit, books to read, a sink, and a coffee machine. There are clean showers and bathrooms next to it, and a spacious area to pitch your tent with fire pits and picnic tables.
I got in early, around 2, and nobody was here. So I set up, and sat around the pavilion reading the news and writing bike trip updates. And hour later, the owner shows up. He does some tidying and cleaning, writes the registered guests' names on a chalk board, and takes off an hour or so later. "Have a great stay!"
I ask if we are to go ahead and make our own coffee in the morning. "Yep, here's all the supplies!"
I love this place. It's the perfect combination of no frills, and elegant decorating.
Today was easy, easy, easy, only 53 miles, all slightly downhill, all on the smooth crushed stone of the GAP trail.
I slept great last night at the campground in Confluence, but I was feeling it today from climbing over the mountain yesterday. But I got going early, before 8.
The first town, after 9 miles, was Ohiopyle. Ohiopyle is a big outdoor recreation tourist place. Nothing was happening in the morning, but it still looks cool.
Connellsville, at the halfway point for the day, was my plan for a lunch stop. But unfortunately, I got going too early in the morning, and went too fast so I got there an hour before any restaurants were open. This was a dilemma. Should I sit around for an hour or should I just ride 27 more miles to West Newton the finish town, and eat lunch there? There are no places to eat between Connellsville and West Newton.
I decided to ride to West Newton, which means I rode 57 miles on a large Frappuchino, a Payday candy bar, and a granola bar. I was not feeling great when West Newton rolled into view.
Connellsville has a really nice park/campground on the west side of town. There are lots of outlets, and picnic tables, and even some covered shelters.
The weird post with the shelter built by Eagle Scouts over it is still there on the east side of town. I still don't understand why they made a sign saying the Eagle Scouts made the shelter, while there is no sign explaining what the thing is under the shelter.
Anyway, I got in to West Newton around 1:00 and grabbed a very tasty burger at the food truck off trail when you come into town.
This gave me lots of time this afternoon to set the tent up, grab a shower, and write yesterday's bike trip update, and enjoy this great campground.
I went out for dinner at The Trailside, which is an old favorite.
Electrolytes were replenished.
And the wings were really good.
Except for one thing! What is missing from these pictures???
CELERY! I haven't seen a piece of celery since since I entered Pennsylvania. I asked the bartender if there was a Celery Supply Chain Collapse which caused no celery to be available. She said you have to ask for celery with the wings, it's an upcharge. And while she though there should be celery in Bloody Marys (one would hope) nobody ever ate they celery in the Bloody Marys and they would just end up throwing it out, and they don't serve many Blooyd Mary's anyway.
Here is the Strava track for today: https://www.strava.com/activities/15549258633
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