There is a wonderful organization called Rails to Trails Conservancy (railstotrails.org) and their mission statement is "Creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people". I get a lot of my ideas from their website. We have a LOT of former rail lines in Michigan which is good for my purposes.
Back in the days before automobiles, Michigan had lots of rail lines because the roads were so bad that most of the travel done outside of a local area was done by train. My mom said that when my grandpa had to have an operation in Ann Arbor, he went to Azalia and caught the train. When I zip up to Tuscola County to walk 5 miles and zip back home in the same afternoon I think of those days when a trip to Ann Arbor (30 miles away) would have been a huge deal. Now w
e run up there for groceries or a cup of coffee. But I digress...There is a former rail line that runs from Millington in Tuscola County to Columbiaville in Lapeer County with a little part in Genesee County which is called the Southern Links Trailway. Saturday my plan was to walk 5 miles in Tuscola County, get something to eat and then do 5 miles in Lapeer County. It was a beautiful day and there was no reason why I couldn't do it.
So I went to Millington and found the trail which is really nice and well marked. There is even a portapotty!!! Woohoo!! I saw ducks, bunnies (possibly the Easter Bunny not sure) and a turtle. The trail goes through fields and past trees that were just starting to get a little green shimmer. I walked the 2.5 then walked back to the start and got in the car fully intending to drive down to Columbiaville and knock off another 5 miles. I even drove to Columbiaville but there was nowhere to eat (waaa waaa another example of having to be prepared with emergency peanut butter or something) I got lazy and ended up coming home and feeling guilty because I wimped out. I know I have to start knocking out at least a couple of counties a day when I go out because gas is expensive and time is ticking ticking away. The weather is what it is (right now I glanced out the window and I see rain streaming down from the sky).
The plan is for Wes and me to go back up today and get Lapeer and Macomb done. Update to follow on the 11 o'clock news!
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