Michigan Day 18 - Ansonia to Jersey Shore

 We've reached the Susquehanna River. The historical marker coming into town says there is a nearby island in the Susquehanna named "Long Island". An early settler named it that because he came from the Long Island in New York. He started calling the settlement he could see across the river from his home on Long Island "Jersey Shore", because that's what he could see across the water from the last time he lived on Long Island. The residents of Jersey Shore went with it. I am not making this up.

Today was a magnificent day. As good as it gets. 55 miles of perfect rail trail through preserved wild lands, all downhill. 

But first we had to say goodbye to the Colton Point Inn in Ansonia. Sigh.

After drinking my Frappuchino, I went to put the key in the box outside the never-opened office to find the office was open. There was still nobody from the motel there, it was open for the workers doing renovations. And there, in the office, was the sad, lonely, ignored, and forgotten coffee machine. Some nice Indian family needs to buy this place and put things in order.

When I planned this route, I discovered the rail trail, which follows Pine Creek all the way to the Susquehanna in Jersey Shore. 55 miles, all downhill. I had no idea what the surface would be like. Would it be an Ontario-style snowmobile trail with unrideable loose, coarse gravel? Or will it be smooth and nice crushed stone like the Great Allegheny Passage or the York Heritage Trail? 

There is no alternative to the trail for the first 15 miles, so I was paranoid about this.

Turns out ii is magnificent smooth crushed stone. I was so happy.

In fact, much of the trail is actually paved with chip seal. 

The Pine Creek Rail Trail is amazing. It goes through "The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania" for the first 25 miles or so. It's completely undeveloped and natural. This does mean no cell service, no restaurants, and no water for that stretch. There are pit toilets every five miles or so.

We found a trailside ice cream shop that served sandwiches in the tiny, tiny town of Cedar Run for lunch. This place is not on Google Maps.

They make great sandwiches. Cash or check only. There is no internet or cell service in town.

And then it's back to the beautiful rail trail through the forest. Jim, who was a bit behind me, says he saw a bear cub crossing the road ahead of him around here.

In Jersey Shore, the trail meets up with a still-active railroad. There is an old New York Central caboose in the trailside park, reminding us that the New York Central is "The Road to the Future".  The rail trail was an active railroad until 1988, when Conrail abandoned it. Contrail was the successor to the bankrupt Penn Central, which was the successor to the bankrupt New York Central. 

Here's the end of the rail trail in Jersey Shore. This is only a mile from our hotel.

And here is our hotel, the Gamble Farm Inn.

The Gamble Farm Inn appears to be halfhearted homegrown attempt to make an event space for weddings and stuff. There is a cavernous restaurant, mostly empty, with a stage fur music, where we ate. There is a bar, which was very popular because we are in rural Pennsylvania. And there are hotel suites in a building behind the restaurant, which has a gym and a lounge area on the first floor. It's weird. Our spacious suite is clean and comfortable, but it's furnished with a mishmash of old furniture like a college student apartment. There is no hotel desk or office, they text you a key code for your room like AirBnB. The room does have a coffee maker thank God.

This is the only lodging anywhere near here. No Indian people are involved in this operation. Obviously.

The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a winner. What a find! 177 feet of climb in 59 miles!

Here's the Strava track: https://www.strava.com/activities/19730602176