Besides Lonaconing, Maryland, another interesting place that I've run across while driving in the mountainous areas in western Maryland and beyond is Cool Springs Park, in Rowlesburg, West Virginia. I first happened upon this place 12 years ago while driving eastward on U.S. Highway 50 on my way back from a wedding in Indiana. Just after passing a gas station, I noticed a bunch of unusual-looking contraptions and old railroad cars in an adjacent wooded area, so I decided to have a look. As it turned out, the gas station was part of a building that also included a convenience store, a gift shop and a restaurant. The building and the wooded area with all its old stuff were and are parts of Cool Springs Park. As I wandered around to get a good look at the old machinery and railcars, realized that I was being followed - by a friendly donkey.
As with Lonaconing, I knew that sooner or later, I had to return and get some pictures with my digital camera. As I had first done years ago, I again wandered around the wooded area, but this time was not followed by any four-legged critters. The park now has two donkeys and a South American camel, of which species I don't know, but they all left me alone.
This locomotive and its coal tender sit on a section of old railroad track.
A water wheel stands next to a small creek, with two (partially obscured) old vehicles and U.S. 50 in the background.
There was a row of old tractors, with or without their tires. Again, U.S. 50 is in the background.
Two cabooses sit on another section of railroad track. I did not try to climb up and see their interiors.
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