This turn of events in Pittsburgh has been most remarkable. It started two days ago when I was heading into town, with no motel reservations for that night. Meeting two couples at lunch, their curiosity turned to helping me by allowing me to stay in an empty apartment below one couple's home.
The other couple invited me to breakfast yesterday morning. We would get there by bike. It was delicious. Then they asked if I would like to see the trailhead, in downtown Pittsburgh,to the Great Allegheny Passage, on which I was to embark today. I assured them that I would.
So they took me to the trailhead, then showed me the route out of town, until it became obvious where the trail was. Jerry and Donna Green were so helpful, that I became hopeful that could make it out of town unscathed. They also shared a bunch of books and pamphlets on the GAP.
One of the more helpful items was a little book written by friends of theirs, which I used to make lodging reservations for the next 5 or 6 days. I felt ready for tomorrow, but in need of another restful night's sleep. And a restful night sleep, I got.
This morning, I left Richard and Adel's house about 8:15 AM. I was fine on the route towards the trailhead for the first 6-7 blocks, then asked someone for help. The next thing you know, I was crossing the bridge on the pedestrian walkway, and pulled into the park in which the trailhead was located.
A Park Ranger was there and I wanted clarification as to the exact way out of the park, and the trail route. He gave some instructions and a little map, then took a photo of me by the trailhead, with a beautiful fountain as a backdrop.
I must not have listened to him or to Donna or Jerry well enough, because quickly, I knew I was off the trail, in downtown traffic. Seeing some familiar streets from the Park Ranger's map, and, voila, I was rolling down the trail.
Because of my fatigue and uncertainty of the speed I could attain on the crushed rock surface, my first night was only 36 miles up the trail. I was doing pretty well, but decided not to push things. Tomorrow will be 52 miles.
This trail is very nice and very beautiful. It follows the river, so for the first 135 miles or so, the trail is on a slight grade upwards. In fact at 135 miles, the trail elevation will be at 2,500 feet above sea level.
Along the trail, in the town where I am staying, is an information center. I wanted to know more about the C&O Canal portion of the route. Three people were talking in a office.I asked their advice. The lady behind the desk said the couple across from her were the real experts. They even wrote a book about it, which she held up for me to see.
The couple were the friends of Donna and Jerry whose book I was using last night to make reservations! I plied them for information for quite a while, and they willingly gave me answers which have proved helpful.
These kinds of happenings are not coincidences. They are Providential. The Lord is placing these wonderful people, with huge hearts, in my path. What an awesome God.
Now that I am nestled in to my room, I am glad that I stopped here in West Newton, PA. My legs are still feeling weak, but certainly up to the modest demands that this trail presents.
Blessings.
