The OCA Trail

Jean and I did a great bike ride yesterday, along a part of the length of the Old Croton Aqueduct, which is now a NY State Park. The aqueduct was NY city's water source from 1830 until 1880, carrying water from the Croton river to two reservoirs, one in front of what's now the New York Public Library, and one in the Great Meadow in Central Park. It was constructed as an above-ground tunnel, sloping gently southward at a rate of 13" per mile along the Hudson River to New York City. Now the roof of the tunnel is a linear state park, a woodsy conduit for bikers, hikers, and dog-walkers. We took the Metro North train to Ossining (home of Sing Sing prison!) with the bikes and then rode back to Van Cortlandt park in the Bronx, about 24-26 miles total. On this satellite aerial view you can see the northern-most tip of Manhattan at the base.







I think "aqueduct" would be a great spelling bee silver bullet--did anyone else know that it's spelled with an 'e' in the middle?

On another subject, Emily has some great news to share!