Horsham to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania – July 15, 2017

Valley Forge (Captivating Performance)

I’m back on the road after yesterday’s big trip into Philly. When touring, there is a momentum that, once started, takes special circumstances to stop. I’m glad that I took the day, but feel best when pedaling.

This morning, I did a modest amount of cycling through neighborhoods, then turned onto the Schuylkill River Trail for about ten miles. Enjoying the scenery, I took only a short stop for a Philly cheesesteak in Norristown.

Exterior Decorating - Schuylkill River Trail

Beneath the Power Lines - Schuylkill River Trail

The river trail terminated at Valley Forge, the 1777 – 1778 winter encampment of the Continental Army, now a national historic park. I entered the visitor’s center and secured the last trolley tour ticket scheduled for two o’clock. Lady Luck had visited.

Randy Working the Audience - Valley Forge

Soldiers' Huts - Valley Forge

Randy Rice was an excellent guide, continually referring to us as revolutionary soldiers. Throughout the tour, he painted a picture of the horrible conditions soldiers faced at Valley Forge. Randy wondered if we would have deserted the cause. Nobody on the trolley answered. I know what they were thinking.

Later, we visited some of the rebuilt “huts” similar those the soldiers made to shelter themselves over the winter. At its height, 1,300 huts were built, housing twelve soldiers each.

Musket Ball - Valley Forge

I imagined myself, in February of 1778, writhing in my bunk, regretting my decision to consume water before bedtime. The one hundred lashes for peeing by the hut were on my mind as I groped my way, in the frigid darkness, to the trench, far from camp. This bicycle tour is a joy ride.

At the huts, I particularly enjoyed the young park ranger who played the role of a revolutionary soldier. She put a lot into her performance. This was her last week on the job.

Washington's Headquarters - Valley Forge

Original Stair Rail (Washington's Headquarters) - Valley Forge

Bedroom (Washington's Headquarters) - Valley Forge

We visited the Reading Railroad, made famous in the game “Monopoly,” before entering Washington’s headquarters. Eighty percent of the house was original. Period items furnished the place as it would have been when Washington resided there. After the tour, I sat and ate carrot cake.

Moving through the Pheonixville area, I spotted an inconspicuous spot to camp at Valley Forge University. With time on my hands, I slipped into the Black Horse Tavern, played a few jukebox tunes and spoke with an interesting young man named Merlin from the immediate area. I had selected a few Talking Heads and Smiths songs when I overheard two men comment positively about the environment, but said “the music isn’t great.” I smiled.

Leaving relatively early, I cycled the short distance to my chosen campsite and called it a night.