Canoeing the Hike/Bike Trail

Disaster at the Cassellman River. We attempted to float from Garrett to Rockwood, thinking three days and nights of heavy rain would carry us over the river's many rocks. We were wrong. Sharp rocks gouged at poor Leaky's fiberglass hull and nearly destroyed our ancient and honorable water vessel. We had no choice but to pull our tail between our legs and give up, only one-quarter mile downstream from where we started. After dragging Leaky up the steep river banks, we started portaging the canoe down this Rails To Trails bike path. It was not even noon yet, but, deeply depressed and feeling like a failure and a jerk, Rob cracked a can of Yuengling lager and attempted to drown his sorrows. Carrying the canoe hurt Michelle's soft and delicate hands. It was a trial for both of them.

Near the end of the path, we encountered an old man biking the trail; his bright yellow shirt identified him as a trail ambassador. He asked us to sit in the canoe and he took this photo, which he said he would send to a Laurel Highlands photography contest. A week later he dropped it off at the newspaper. Will this photo win the contest? Might it launch Rob and Michelle to superstardom? Only time will tell . . .