Day 342
6 hrs, 12 .8 kms

Greencastle is the in between town--never quite achieving the status of its neighbors Chambersburg (to the north) or Hagerstown to the south). A small town core... a couple of industries around it--but no mall... no Walmart (something to be ashamed of?). But it does have some nice Victorian houses--and I spot more cafes than diners in the town core... perhaps that suggests a bit more bluish hue to the town? (I know it's a stereotype, but I think of Democrats as being more latte and croissant... while Republicans being more eggs, bacon and home fries...)

Like Chambersburg, Greencastle has a major railway, which is elevated as it slices through the town center. In Chambersburg, every street has a full size underpass--thus allowing the town to expand evenly on both sides of the track and keep a cohesive feel. Greencastle only has a couple underpasses and squeeze through alleys, so the town only developed on one side of the tracks . I wonder if the Chambersburg government was accused of being "wasteful" to build so many underpasses--but it paid off in the long run.

Interesting how such simple decisions can affect future generations...

So... that was Greencastle...

My next destination is Mercersburg, to the east, which I'd also like to include in this Superhike. But a while back I did a search for "covered bridges" in this area on Google maps and one showed up a few kilometers south of Greencastle. I've got a thing for covered bridges, so I figure it wouldn't hurt to do yet another "detour of a detour" to add this to my journey.

So I head down, through a sprawling new development to Antrim Township park. Here there' a thick wooded area with multiple trails. Hopefully I can trust my instict to get me down the right path to the bridge... sure enough--down a steep slope, there it is right beneath me.

It's the iconic covered bridge look... stretching across the Conococheague River (again!)... blending in withe the foillage... with the stream sparkling in the sun's rays... I take photos from all angles, hoping to get the perfect shot. I'll bet it looks even more iconic in fall season...

"Built in 1849" says a sign. Back then, bridges were built covered to protect them from the elements. Looks like a huge amount of work was put into it. It's a reminder that, once upon a time here in America, things were built to last. Makes me wonder... how many of the homes, buildings and bridges built now will still be standing--and considered beautiful 165 years from now?