They are re-paving the 4 lane out my window. That's what many of us think of as roads. But not back then. "They " say the NC coastal Indians moved up the South Branch,and across Pa's Path Valley about 1710-15,moving to NY to jon the 5 Nations. Most likely they were following buffalo paths from salt lict,to major spring,to salt lick. Those 'traces ' were the only roads,and only roads needed,besides the river. Sarah posted that there were no cabins from Polk's at Hancock,Md to Cresap's at Old Town,Md so,where were the workers coming from to clear such a road? The common thing is that the neighbors work on the roads in their neighbohood. This is a major highway. Was a fee tollpike for many years. Yet,one grandfather kept a team hitched at all times to pull model T's from a mud hole. The other had a steam engine powered rock chusher,on Clover Creek, and used his four boys to build his contract of 2 miles of gravel turnpike. 1920 era. Sarah posted that crossing cow paths were better than that road. Even if they made a road,all they would be doing is getting rid of those fallen trees,and cutting a few others. No rock or gravel. And when the mud road became impassable, as they all did,just move it. We noted,as above,the road going past the big mineral springs at Berkley Springs. 1st road across Ohio was Zane's Trace, cut by the Zane's for the federal govenment in 1796 in exchange for land,and ferry rghts at major river crossings-Zanesville,Lacaster,and Chilacothe. Cut the nearest,and best way. They cut it over a couple Sunfish mountians to get to the present fish hatchery spring at Latham,Oh. A BUFFALO TRACE. 1796. 1798,the new Adams Co,Oh's early business was to cut some roads to ferry landings, and to bend that Zane's Trace around those mountians. They added 10 miles,but likely had a trace to the big Sinking Springs to follow. Next thing was traces cut to the water powered mills. Flour,corn meal,and whiskey. Roads were about as much as anything to keep split rail fences from blocking the route. Sarah posted another thing . The river had enough water from where the North and South branches unite for water transport by bigger than canoes. I've never been exactly in the South Branch,but all around it. I understand roads ran around the Trough of the South Branch to reach Van Meters at his own Oldtown. Question,my grandau spent last weekend white water rafting on WV'S New River. Is white water rafting done on the North,or South ,Brabches,Potomac? ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.