Reaching the Susquehanna

As Ron was planning the trip he tried to make the route as authentic as possible. The information available was really not that detailed but we do know that the family travelled along the Susquehanna River. We reached that point of our walk by a soggy but fairly level route yesterday.

The Linglestown Road or Route 39 took us west from Hershey through what would have been Indian country when the Brownsbergers arrived from Germany. We walked past a series of signs that located frontier forts built to protect the settlers. We are staying in Rockville for three nights. Here there is a park on the site of one of these forts. There are models of Iroquois wigwams and drying racks as well. We enjoyed our first evening here by cooking dinner in the park.

The area is interesting because it shows the stages of the development of this country. By the time the Brownsbergers took route for Upper Canada, the canal age had begun here. We’ve walked past a number of examples of now abandoned canals that would have allowed for easier trade between the 1820s and 1880s when railroads took prominence. Our motel is close to a double railway bridge that appears to have plenty of traffic. Beside it is the ruin of an earlier bridge.

The next development would have been roads and these have gradually become more sophisticated. The winding two lane roads that I remember from the 50s have given way to busy expressways. In the American style much of this development is documented by roadside plaques. When one is walking one can read every one!! We have included some for your enjoyment.

This is April and so there will be showers/rainfalls. We gave up walking for two hours yesterday because it was so wet. Then Ron said, ‘Let’s go!’ The rain had stopped and he was determined to finish the eight miles. Our muscles are getting used to the exercise but, as SouthLake Rehab suggested, we take frequent breaks. It helps!

Pictures:

An example of an Iroquois wigwam

Plaque for a frontier fort

Site of Fort Hunter - now a park where we ate

The raiway bridge over the Susquehanna

Spring has arrived!