Ken and I have been taking little two-day trips to ride some of the Rails-to-Trails bicycle paths within a few hours’ drive from us. These are paths created where once a railroad was, so they have very few steep hills and they are in the prettiest settings! Did you know that Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has over 2200 rail-trails across the U.S. covering almost 25,000 miles? And with another potential 9000+ miles to develop into trails!
A couple of weeks ago, I shared about our ride on the Katy Trail. Our most recent trip took us across the Mississippi River to Vienna, Illinois (pronounced Vy-EN-uh) to ride the Tunnel Hill Trail. What a gorgeous place, and early to mid-October was the perfect time to see some glorious fall color, yet still have temperate weather.
Like most Rails-to-Trails routes, this one features lots of bridges and tunnels, and much of the trail is beneath a canopy of trees.
Tunnel Hill trail has one marvelous and memorable tunnel.
Yes, you can see straight through to the other side as you approach the tunnel, but don’t let that fool you!
It takes a full minute to get through to the other side, and it is DARK in the middle! We’d been warned that it is a little disorienting riding through, and that was certainly true. The advice we got—just keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel—was exactly right (and good advice for life, too!)
Just past the tunnel was a little picnic area with restrooms, so we stopped and ate the sandwiches we’d packed, then turned around and headed back through the tunnel. We rode over 30 miles of the trail in two days and thoroughly enjoyed every one! Ken hit the 400-mile mark on his bike while we were there.
On the way back, we stopped at this rustic little shack where we never saw a soul, but the shop was open for on-your-honor business. A freezer full of ice cream sandwiches (we chose Drumsticks!) and a coffee can to put your payment in. Wow, did that encourage me about America in 2020—that a business could still operate that way!
I’ve probably made this confession here before, but when Ken bought these bikes, I went along kicking and screaming. I’ve had to apologize for my attitude and I have thanked him a dozen times for this best-purchase-ever and for forcing me to try new things and get out of my comfort zone. We are making the BEST memories in these empty nest years!
What about you? Has there ever been something new that you’ve tried reluctantly but discovered a new adventure in the process?
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I wish we lived closer to each other, Deb. My Ken and I also love to bike. We just bought ebikes, too, so we can go farther and bike longer days. We love them!! I love seeing pictures of your trips.
Oh, I wish we did too, Lynn! That’s so cool that you got ebikes. We just love ours too and they allow us “old” people to see so much more on our trips!
I love you pics. They’re gorgeous!
I felt much the same as you did on graphic designing. I only learnt it a month ago. But I found the skills very useful and it has helped me save a lot of time!
Good for you! It’s not easy learning something new, but rewarding in the end!
Gorgeous pictures! What great ideas for travel and seeing nature!
My cousin was a train enthusiast and rode many of the lines in retirement as a volunteer inspector before he passed away two years ago. His backyard was an amazing train village unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
I was going to ask what kind of bikes you have. I will look up e bikes.
Our bikes are Lectric brand. We’ve been SUPER happy with them!
I would love to ride the train lines! That sounds like quite the village your cousin had!
I have not tried to bicycle recently: my knees are too uncooperative. But during this pandemic, I have been viewing videos of places to which I would love to travel. One of those places is Bermuda. I have discovered that Bermuda has a similiar Railway Trail. http://bermudarailway.net/ includes photos of the trail around the outskirts of the islands that make up Bermuda–so in most photos you have a beautiful glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean as well!
Ooh, that looks wonderful, Martha! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds like so much fun!! I followed the link you provided to Rails to Trails and discovered LOTS of trails near me. I’ll absolutely give them a try. 🙂
Awesome! Hope you enjoy them, Becky!