Cumberland is a neat town. It's industrial like Pittsburgh but also has a colonial feel. There are churches everywhere, and in between them you'll find truck depots, train tracks, canals, earth haulers, and other elements of industry.
The city is split by a canal. Alongside it runs a walking path, surprisingly heavily used. I think it may be the fastest route around the center of the city. Anything not along the canal is on a hill. Unlike Pittsburgh the sky was partly cloudy and the air was clean.
There are some impressive buildings, like this Mason's lodge and church on a hill. There were some strong political messages on churches. I remember trying to puzzle out a monument which I think was for all unborn babies.
Because the room I rented lacked a kitchen, I ordered takeout. By far my favorite was Curtis' Famous Coney Island Weiners. This place rocked. Located downtown and with the interior of a dive bar you're not surprised to learn it's been open for over 100 years.
The men behind the counter shout "What do you want?" the moment you cross the threshold. The menu is small. I ordered 3 weiners, priced at $1.65 each. You can get a hamburger for about the same. The restaurant was busy -- a steady stream of customers. The men knew their patrons by name. One man ordered 4 weiners, another 8. They come loaded with onions and some sort of relish.
I took a second to snap a photo of the building. This was enough time for me to witness an act of kindness: One of the workers come out of the store. He passed my tip to and old women and her grandchildren. It was maybe 50 cents. I overheard him say that he saw her running short and he hoped this would help.
I took my weiners across the street to a cabin once used by George Washington. Presumably he used it for sleeping.
After lunch a man on a bicycle with a black eye talked to me. He told me he appreciated my face shield - showing people to take the virus seriously. He said the only reason he wasn't in his cell right now was because the jail was at capacity and he had threatened to write the paper. So he gets half days or something. Who knows how much of that is true, who cares?
Harper's Ferry
On my way out of town I took a detour to Harper's Ferry. It has a dramatic approach. I noticed the road-side photo-ops too late, so if you want a dramatic skyline you'll have to look it up.
No I didn't hike up the hill. Why you ask? Because there were a lot of people. As you can see, I was pretty nervous.
I was a little disappointed with Harper's Ferry. I'm glad I chose to stay in Cumberland instead. It felt like a theme park. The old buildings were filled with "Ye old Tavern" type places. How depressing.
The rocks were good though.
I did find this plaque which designates the Appalachian trail as a "National Planning Landmark". Apparently it's a whole thing.