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    • swordbroad

Christmas Day Run: York County Rail Trail

2013.12.25 A friend and I find our schedules only mesh on Christmas morning, so we head out onto the Rail Trail our of Hanover Junction (Abraham Lincoln once stopped here), she on a bike with Willow (a lovely well-bred silver Siberian), and me with Denali and Legolas (aka Leggy) on the three wheeled rig. My team is various rescues, SPCA rejects, and a gift or two from friends. They are quite happy to run on a trail, even dragging me behind. Willow however, kicks our butts.

This is a pretty typical trail run. Wheels are more useful here than sleds. The rig provides stability and control for a team larger than two dogs (plus if you have to grab your dogs and pull them on-by a distraction or problem, the rig trundles along behind all by itself, unlike a bike or scooter). Bikes or scooters are lighter, and great for one or two dogs, or smaller dogs like Max the Schipperke.

The Rail Trail is part of the York County Park System and runs into Maryland. It passes through small towns and agricultural lands; on our favorite stretch we've gone "on-by" goats and horses, chickens and emus. Yes, emus. In summer it is shady, and this part, south of Hanover Junction, follows a small creek. In early spring you can hear the chorus of Spring Peeper frogs. At other times, you may see deer, squirrels, or hear the wavering whinny of a screech owl.

For larger view, right click, choose "open image in new tab".
Hanover Junction train station
Willow
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Denali and Legolas
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