Light at the End of the Tunnel

 Steve and I had a wonderful camping trip this year, we stayed in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania for 4 days and Hocking Hills, Ohio for 3 days.  We had several adventures in hiking, biking and white water rafting, however the one I would like to share today was our day biking on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) rail trail.  Our white water rafting guide had recommended driving to the next town up the trail (Confluence) and from there biking about 6 miles up to the Pinkerton train tunnel.  He said that it would be a pretty ride with several trestle bridges to cross over, and the Pinkerton tunnel was a local landmark and unique experience.  We thought a 12 mile round trip sounded doable for two people who haven't biked all summer.  

We packed a lunch to eat when we got back to Confluence and snacks, extra water in a camelback, first aid kit etc. for the ride.  We though we were probably overpacking for a 12 mile bike, but not knowing the trail and how far we might be from help we tend to overpack and prepare.  

We were very fortunate that most of the trail was wooded and shady, it also followed the river with several gorgeous overlooks.  

What we did not anticipate was the constant uphill climb.  There were a few downhills headed east to the tunnel, but mostly my quads were burning with the consistent pedaling needed to make our way.  Then, at the 7 mile mark, we realized it may be farther than the guide's estimate of 6 miles.  We decided to stop, rest, and re-evaluate the distance by using the interactive map we had downloaded for the trip.  Stopping was harder than we'd thought; with tired legs, Steve's usual dismount did not work as well, and he ended up scrapping his knee up on the gravel path.  Guess we did need that first aid kit!

Consulting the map, we saw that we were more than halfway there and maybe it would be another couple miles to the tunnel. This we felt was doable, especially if the way back was going to be a steady downhill.  We continued on, and eventually got to the tunnel just shy of 10 miles. Our 12 mile bike had turned into a 20 mile bike!  But we made it, and the overlook was gorgeous!  And the tunnel, well, that was an experience.  

The Pinkerton tunnel is 849 ft of unlit tunnel.  You can clearly see the other side, however, after the first few feet, the blackness is total and you can see nothing around you.  I had several minutes of anxiously steering straight towards the light at the end, with hands I couldn't see, on a path I couldn't see, and praying that there were no obstacles for me to run into!  It had not occurred to us to pack lights.  The cold of the tunnel chilled the sweat on my back, and all I heard was the gravel crunching beneath my tires and my breath echoing back to me from the tunnel walls, which added to the general fear factor.  I was very relieved to make it unscathed to the other side.  The way back I was a little easier about it since I had made it through once and knew what to expect, but it was still very unnerving riding through such total darkness.  I had some time to think about the symbolism, how often we are going through dark times that scare us and where we can't see what obstacles or dangers might be ahead, and we just have to trust that we will make it to the light on the other side.  To get through the scary times, hold steady and steer towards the light.

The way back to Confluence was a much easier ride with a constant downgrade that let us coast a lot.  I was very grateful for that!

Resting on the way back, we found a couple benches that were engraved with sayings that fit the trip perfectly.  As Steve feels I am the loveliest flower in the garden.  And for some reason, this trip between hiking Laurel Highlands and Hocking Hills involved a lot of climbing.  Steve would turn to me and ask, "Say it,"  and I would reply: "Yes, Ray, we are still going up".