Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal National Park

A Walker's Paradise

Since this is advertised as Paradise, take heart. This Heaven is within commuting distance of our nation's Capitol. There must be some political statement here, since this EH is all about  men, mules, canals,  and a nostalgic trip to a simpler past.

This celestial EH was sponsored by Hagerstown Community College (HCC) Maryland, and was held at the Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Ministries Center of the Church of the Brethren. The setting was on 220 acres of woods. It is not far from the eerie green stillness at the Antietam battlefield. HCC also offers EH's on the Civil War, although, paradoxically, the Church of the Brethren believes in pacifism.

There were stars in this divine experience, all brought together by Anne Myers, a saintly coordinator of great soul. Unlike many academics in charge of adult activities, Anne was utterly devoted to us, sleeping on the site and always available. She would be an excellent coordinator-mentor as I have suggested to Boston. Anne, cheerful, hard-working, with a heart like an engine that says "Yes we can" could be an instructive counterpoint to the " I don't care" coordinator at Colby-Sawyer College, NH. Anne brought to this Eden the Shanes, Jan and Alan, interesting, friendly local volunteers who spoiled us all day, and an exceptional guide, John Frye. John is a nationally known canal historian and lecturer who was instrumental in preserving this l84 mile historic treasure that extends from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD. John walked with Justice Douglas to lobby for its preservation and National Park status in l971.

Highlights of the program included trips to the Paw Paw Tunnel, Harpers Ferry, Fort Frederick, the Antietam Iron Works, and a canal boat ride at Great Falls. Walking was delightful on the flat towpath. If someone did not want to "toe the line," the bus, driven by "Darling Bob" followed us everywhere. Four afternoons were spent on field trips and hikes, all of which included delicious picnic lunches, accompanied by our stars: Saintly Anne, the Lovely Shanes, Canal John, and "Darling Bob" as Anne knighted him. With folks like these, who can ask for anyone more?

Evenings included lectures, videos, slides and films on the Canal Era, the C and O Canal during the Civil War, Washington County wildlife, "John Brown's Holy War" and "Canal and Civil War Songs" at a live concert. At the end of each event, Anne announced "snack time!" and we enjoyed such things as low-fat popcorn, ice cream and cookies. Dieters beware!

The food was more than satisfactory; enhanced with tasty baked goods, plentiful vegetables, and a constant supply of fresh fruit between meals. The accommodations were in a fairly new lodge, which contained our private bedroom/bathrooms, dining hall and classroom. Oddly, there were no dresser drawers, but this did not bother anyone. This was the first time HCC offered the C and O Canal as a complete EH. I would rate being a "guinea pig" as a squealing success. All thirty-six of us left with happy smiles and good memories.

If you want to float through a superb EH, you should lock on to this canal experience or you will miss the boat. Bring your bug spray or the gnats will drive you nuts. Leave your mule footwear at home and meet the real mules. Finally, SOS or Save Our System. The next time the White House and Capitol Hill are deadlocked because of hardening of the arguments, let's "exile" them to the nearby C and O Canal National Park, and let's not give them any of Anne's good lunch until they agree!!