50 Mile Kennedy walk 2014 - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Kennedy Walk Way

In this doodle we will walk through my 50 Mile Kennedy walk adventure. I heard about this walk from two of NY Ramblers hikers on 02/02/2014.Story behind this walk inspired me to push my walk adventure. Initially thought of doing this walk next year, latter after few minutes of thinking over the interesting story I entrenched my plan to do this walk on 02/08/2014.

Since the walk starts in Maryland and ends in West Virginia I have to plan on my travel and stay. I was fortunate as most part of the planning and information was already done by my NY Ramblers fellow hikers. I just followed their exact plan and with their help booked my travel tickets with mega bus, first night (Before walk) stay in Bolger Center and second night (After Walk) stay in Harpers Ferry.

Due to my mental tremble for the cold weather walk after some internet search formulated a six layer dress plan. Inner layer is dry fit full sleeve shirt, thermal full sleeve shirt, woolen sweater (optional base on weather), smart wool fleece jacket, wind break jacket and poncho (for heavy rain or snow). Apart from clothing packed water, headlight, micro spikes and energy bars.

We were greeted and picked by lead volunteer from Bolger Center at 3:00 AM. We reached VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars USA) Post 5633, 11511 MacArthur Blvd at 3:20 AM. After enrollment and group photo our walk started in dark hours of the morning before cock-crow at 4:10 AM. After 20 minutes of walk on the road which ended in the Canal National Park trail on which RFK walked 51 years ago. We entered the trail where mile pole was reading #14.

I was able to see the determined and strong legs of every walker enthusiastically walking towards next mile post. Our legs were parading on the path in which horses were towing the boats with coal, agriculture products etc. Based on this information I was trying to visualize this path 100 years back during my walk. We can't make our second step without completing the first one likewise those hard struggle industrial revolution years have transitioned into the life which we enjoy now. I was able to see this towpath as one of the historic symbols for such transition.



Lock House

After passing the Great Falls Tavern we reached Swain's Lock #21. These locks were used to regulate water coming into the canal (Guard Locks),  let the traffic from river into canal (River Locks) and Lift Locks. There were houses in which keepers of these locks used to stay. These houses are restored and being by the Canal Trust.

On reaching the Pennyfield Lock #22 we had campfire to warm up with some snacks and hot chocolate. This lock house was opened for us to look into the historical stay place of lock keepers.

We passed the Violette’s Lock #23, Riley’s Lock #24, Mckee-Beshers Wildlife Area, Edwards Ferry Boat Ramp Lock #25 and reached Whites Ferry at 1:15 PM where we had our lunch. So far we have completed 22 miles.

Walk Path covered with Ice

After lunch we walked 13 miles through Dickerson Conservation Park, Monocacy Aqueduct, Nolands Ferry and arrived Point of Rocks where I had Cookies and Chips. I changed my socks and applied my moisturizer on foot to avoid blisters. We have walked 35 miles till here. This last 13 miles walk way had iced snow which was tricky walking and also slowed our pace.

After 6 miles of walk passing Lockhouse #28, #29 we showed up in Brunswick Campground at 4:45 PM where we were treated with campfire to warm up and peanut cookies. I started celebrating every mile post we were crossing. We have completed walking 41 miles till here.

We started walking from Brunswick Campground  at 5:05 PM . Remaining miles I started doing run and walk to relax some of my muscles. My headlight is running low on charge so decided to complete the remaining 6 miles before the sunlight is off the part of earth we are walking. I was running and walking alone through Appalachian Trail and Sandy Hook when it was getting dark.

I was able to catch up with the group at 6:15 PM by when sun was already down. I walked along with them and with the help of their headlight we reached Harpers Ferry at 6:30 PM and walked over the pedestrian Bridge and reached Private Quinn's Pub at 6:40 PM to complete our walk in 14 hours and 30 Minutes.