So Friday I finished up the last 1/3 of the trail which, for me, was the easternmost end of the trail. I began my ride very near to the beginning of the trail at Warrendale and traveled in a northwest direction to Nankin Mills/Nankin Lake where I had left off on my last ride. I did not take photos of this section, though it was scenic I just never took the time to stop. Sorry readers. Perhaps next time. This section passes through portions of Detroit, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Redford, Westland and Livonia. A portion of the trail in Redford traverses alongside a golf course, Hawthorn Valley, where I'd done a lot of golfing when I was younger and lived in the area. I'd forgotten how beautiful that course is.
During early settlement times the River Rouge served as a navigation route for Indian tribes and the French and English trappers. Later it was part of the Underground Railway for escaped slaves. Today it serves as a recreational gem for Wayne County. During my ride I came across a grouping of Segways. I didn't know what they were called but they are the two wheeled upright electronic riding devices, a group of senior citizens were out on a practice run. I passed them slowly and gave them wide berth, I was amazed at their handling abilities and the person in the lead handed me a brochure as I passed. He was their leader/instructor and apparently there is a Segway and Bicycle rental at Nankin Mills. I'd seen a little red wooden building behind the interpretative center and assumed it was an ice cream or novelty shop. From their brochure, I found out differently. What a great way for seniors and others with some physical limitations to be able to get around and enjoy the park and trail. A link to their site can be found here.
A link to Friday's route can be found here and information about this section of the trail and park can be found here.
When I do this ride again I intend to ride it from start to finish and back again in one fell swoop. Round trip my ride totaled just over 13 miles which is beginning to seem like a warm up or shortish ride.
I passed historical and familiar landmarks like, Nankin Mills which currently houses an interpretative center, the big old toboggan hill and scenic stretches of the River Rouge. I saw a sprinkling of wildlife, got hissed at by a mamma Canada goose and gobbled up miles of rolling terrain. For the most part, this section was flatter with a sprinkling of rises and inclines.
This was my first ride since my longest on Monday, however, I haven't been snoozing or taking it easy. The last couple of days I have not been riding but I've busied myself with spring time chores. Preparing the outdoor furniture, planting flowers and herbs and some general spring cleaning indoors. Spring is a busy time for all of creation as we awaken from our deep winter's sleep.
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