Our stop at the Smoke Hole Lodge Cabins was perfectly timed for what would prove to be the coldest two nights of our stay. The cabin was cozy as Bill kept a fire in the woodburning heater the whole time were were there. Meanwhile Kiki cooked delightful meals of beef stew for dinner and egg sandwiches for breakfast. We were able to take some short hikes and watch the huge brown and brook trout swimming lazily along the crystal clear water trying to recover from their recent fall spawning. Bill and I were excited to see them moving as we had a guided trout fishing trip scheduled for the next day.
It snowed lightly most of the afternoon and into the early evening. Inside we sampled some bourbon and smoked our pipes on the porch.
The next day the wind laid down and the trout came out to eat. We landed about 30 fish in our hour of fishing. Some times there were back-to-back hookups! Bill was very happy!
The second morning we had to say goodbye to our cabin and headed north to the Oldtown Bridge. Here you will have the opportunity to cross the toll bridge from Oldtown, MD to Green Spring, WV for $1.50. This bridge was constructed in 1937. Not quite 100 years later the Oldtown Toll Bridge is still standing 200 foot-long and 10 foot-wide. It is one of few remaining privately owned bridges in the United States, but only one in Maryland. And Bill paid the toll!!!!
Our next encampment was at Parker Dam State Park located a short drive from Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, Pa. which was scheduled to be our first stop the next morning.
The Elk Country Visitor center is a great stop but today the elk were all hunkered down deep in the woods trying to stay out of the cold winds. We only saw one young cow. Well, it’s on to Bradford, PA the home of Zippo lighters and Case xx knifes.
Then it was full speed ahead to Landy and Julie’s house.