Destination Thursday: Ride the Rail

Like to bike or hike? Feel like visiting our nation's capital? Well, soon you will be able to have a continuous ride from the Pittsburgh International Airport to Washington, DC along the Great Allegheny Passage. This is being made possible by a coalition of seven rails to trails organizations known as the Allegheny Trail Alliance. The Great Allegheny Passage is a 152-mile bicycle/walking trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD that will eventually link to the C & O Canal Towpath, a trail that leads to Washington, DC. Eventually the total length of the trail will be 335 miles!

This is a perfect way to enjoy many activities in the great outdoors such as viewing spectacular scenery, exercising, fishing, bird watching and picnicking. Since the trail follows the old railroad tracks, history buffs will also have an opportunity to observe the historic heritage of railroad towns. Educational opportunities may include lessons on ecology to geology, history and the culture of the area. A bonus is the economic stimulus for local communities.

The picture here shows limestone outcrops along the Great Allegheny Passage trail that were surveyed for rare plants in 2003 as part of WPC's Somerset County Natural Heritage Inventory. For event calendar, trail construction updates, help with planning long trips, printable maps, and other resources, visit the Allegheny Trail Alliance's Web site at: www.atatrail.org .

Guess the Peregrines' Due Dates
From now until midnight Feb. 24th, WPC invites you to guess when the peregrines at Gulf Tower and Pitt will lay and hatch their eggs and win an as yet to be determined exciting prize.

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