There is a story behind all the photos that I take. This one may be embarrassing for my wife.
We started on our first major trip to the USA two years ago. I had decided to explore West Virginia, and we had to drive through New York and Pennsylvania first.
Our first day on this trek was great. We hiked through rock formations, learned the history of the oil industry and how bad luck almost prevented it from happening, saw waterfalls, and ended our day walking through a converted rail tunnel for hikers and bikers.
Old rail tunnels are rather interesting. We traversed one in Brockville, and it was like walking through a long cave. There were features that, if time allows, would start to look like a natural cave. Since travelling through this area, we would check the Rockland (Woodhill) Tunnel.
We had finished touring a waterfall that was only a few hundred metres from where this tunnel was. The area is beautiful. It has a remote feel to it. When I was planning the trip, I was fearful that Freedom Falls would be dried up. It was close to being dry, but there was still enough of a flow, and the short hike to it was nice. We have been to many locations with ruins of furnaces that were used for industrial purposes. Rockland Furnace is an even shorter hike downstream, and I found it fascinating.
Despite the remote (feeling) of the location, it was popular. The small parking lot was all but full when we arrived, and cyclists were on the trail. The tunnel can be seen from the parking lot, and we started to walk towards it. It was a bright day, and we were both wearing sunglasses.
Remember this key point: we were wearing sunglasses.
After entering the tunnel, we could see the end, which was a straight and level path. The brightness of the sun could be seen from the other end. I brought my flashlight, even though it wasn’t necessary because enough light could penetrate the tunnel. I did use the flashlight to highlight what I was looking at.
We walked out the other end, enjoyed the view, and then returned through it to our car. Going through the tunnel again, this time from a different angle, I could see other features. But Charlene was not catching anything I pointed to.
Odd.
She loves this kind of thing, yet she does not look around or stop to check something out.
Remember that key point? We were wearing sunglasses when we started.
I removed my glasses as soon as we entered the tunnel. Charlene did not.
While moving the flashlight around, I noticed an odd reflection on Charlene’s face. Charlene was still wearing her sunglasses. No wonder she found the tunnel to be excessively dark. We both laughed at her oversight.
It is amazing what little things allow us to remember a location. Had Charlene not forgotten to remove her glasses, would I have fond memories of this tunnel?
- The trail we walked on to go through the Rockland (Woodhill) Tunnel connects to several other tunnels in the area. A bike is the best way to see these, as hiking may be a much longer than expected journey.
- When trying to find Freedom Falls, look for a large rock beside the road. The path is behind it.
- The tunnel’s parking lot is essentially at a dead end. After this point, it becomes a private road.
- Check out the other locations we have visited on my favourite map: All The Places We Have Been To.
