The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will sponsor a special, family-oriented field trip in mid-April that combines bicycling along the C&O Canal with viewing spring wildflowers that proliferate there.

The trip will be held on Tuesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. It will be led by local naturalist Susan Fluharty.

Participants will gather at the C&O Canal Visitors Center at Williamsport, Md., and ride west from there to Dam 5 and back, a distance of about 14 miles.

The trip will be free and open to everyone, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To register, go to the PVAS website at www.potomacaudubon.org.

Children will be welcome but they must be capable of biking the full trip distance.

Everyone must provide their own bicycle.

The main wildflower attraction along the way will be huge patches of Virginia Bluebells that are located along the section of the canal about 4 to 5 miles west of Williamsport. It’s expected that these flowers will be at the peak of their blooming at this time.

Participants will have plenty of time to stop, rest, take pictures, and admire the scenery.

The C&O Canal towpath is an easy ride but it can be rough and muddy in places. Participants should make sure their bikes have sturdy tires that can handle those conditions.

Everyone should also dress for the prevailing weather and bring along drinking water and a snack.

The trip may be canceled or postponed due to poor weather conditions.

For more information contact trip leader Ms. Fluharty at pemaquid@fluharty.org.