In misc.transport.rail.americas Shawn Hirn wrote:
wrote:

I'm looking to schedule a day-long,
NON-whitewater (family & friends with kids along) kayaking trip
in the central/SW Pennsylvania or nearby West Virginia/MD area.

Basically a "canoe trip", using kayaks. Downstream.

the Paw Paw WV/Hancock MD stretch of the Patomac river is ideal for what
you want, but that is a weekend type trip. great train watching since the
CSX parrallels the route. if you have wheels the stretch from Paw Paw to
Little Orleans is one day and about as beautiful as you can get, there is
not a single road in that entire stretch

I have an Amtrak-related question about whether we can take
the train back to DC at the end of our trip (see below).

so and the reason is that the only train to DC in that area is the Capitol
Limited and it runs early in the morning towards DC. now on a weekday
there are a number of outfitters in the Harpers Ferry area that could set
you up with a trip on the Shanendoah river but these would be "rump
bump" trips (tube/raft) not Kayak trips.

but you could grab a MARC commuter train in either Harpers Ferry or
Brunswick to get into DC. not to mention just stay at the Hilltop House
in Harpers Ferry watch the trains all evening and catch a morning MARC
into DC at the bottom of the hill.

Have fun but remember at this time of year river levels fluctuate wildly
and the Potomac especially the lower Potomac can be very wild with fast
water and lots of Rocks. (I believe Great Falls is a class 5 rapid)

nice area to kayak/canoe. and to train watch.

Bob
canoist/train buff/transportation Engineer

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