Yesterday I took a few pictures during a brief day trip on the McKenzie Highway, and got a picture of the McKenzie river....
...and the grassy green area on the left is the site of an old tow path. There is a river on the other side of it. These are paths that were created beside bodies of water to tow (pull) small boats either by horse and cart, by a person walking beside a horse. You can see pictures when you type in "tow path".
A cable was attached to the boat so that the person and the horse pulling it might guide it along the river. These paths are no longer used but it is very dangerous to drive a car on them (although they actually are roads) because of sudden floods. I have read that cyclists use these old roads, but with caution. It looks like it might be a very romantic, scenic place to walk also, but there are some warning signs to keep off the area. The tow paths are well maintained and mowed.
A cable was attached to the boat so that the person and the horse pulling it might guide it along the river. These paths are no longer used but it is very dangerous to drive a car on them (although they actually are roads) because of sudden floods. I have read that cyclists use these old roads, but with caution. It looks like it might be a very romantic, scenic place to walk also, but there are some warning signs to keep off the area. The tow paths are well maintained and mowed.
In spite of that, these tow paths are fascinating due to their place in history. There are so few of them left in the US, and it is interesting that there is one here in Oregon that we actually drive by quite regularly. You can see on the left up on the side of the road, more of that grassy tow path.
We like the picturesque-ness of the old highways. Now and then we saw a lodge, a bed and breakfast, or an inn tucked away in the woods with the lights on. One day I want to stop and spend the night in one, so keep your donations coming! (that was a joke, ladies).
These would be great scenes from the window of a tea room, but alack and alas, such a luxury is not to be found, even on the 10 day, 4,000 mile old-highway trip we took recently. That is why I have that folding table set that fits nicely in the car. I must say, however, that there were plenty of rest stops on the old highways we took across the desert and prairies, which had very nicely maintained picnic areas under awnings in many places along the 9 states we traveled, particularly in Apache country.
We drove 300 miles today, past the lava fields and through the Willamette National Forest. That is pronounced will-AM it.
5 comments:
We have an area near where I live in PA that has these tow paths. It is interesting history. You took some pretty nice photos from a moving car! I love coming home to a clean and readied up house, too. :)
Pennsylvania is known for the tow paths. I think they are historical markers, and they are used as scenic walking paths there. I wish it were that way here, but it is still a very wild country and we live in a lot of unsettled areas, unpopulated, so the towpaths aren't used for human activity as far as I know. I'd love to walk on one, but they are blocked off by gates whereever there is any access. It is interesting that the hiway dept keeps those paths and roads mowed and trimmed and looking good instead of letting them get over grown.
Such beautiful Fall scenery! The colors are amazing. My daughter is currently learning about the history of how towns were originally formed and the various reasons why settlers would want to be near a water source. I am going to explain to her about tow paths later today!
We too have old tow paths along the Delaware Canal...barges were towed by, I think, mules...now they give people rides in boats that have roofs over them.
Such a wonderful time of year to take drives in the country to admire the undressing of the trees. Lovely photos.
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