There is a bike path that stretches from my back yard up through some residential blocks to a larger path that spans the entire city. Like Google I decided to ride a stretch of it to let you see one of my activities. Sounds boring, but let's give it a try.
This is the start of it, heading back to Shawshank. This is the main path that one way takes you downtown and the other takes you to the Mall area and through areas that go North. But we are going to take the offshoot path and head back to where I live.
Heading South. The area is chock full of bike paths, not only this one that winds around but along the streets as well. The place down here is crazy about biking and dogs. Seems there are bikers everywhere (and many bike-car fatalities as well). And seems you can take your favorite four-pawed friend anywhere. Most businesses downtown have complimentary water bowls for your pooch if you stop at their place.
It is weird but at the end of this stretch, seemingly in the middle of nowhere is a large area of picnic tables.
This area is kind of scenic as we have a large lake to the right.
Turning the corner of the lake we continue to straddle the water and even get a warning.
These signs are posted around the lake. I've never seen anything here, but you read in the paper every once in a while some kids who go swimming in places around here and end up losing an arm to these guys.
Looks like the government shutdown has affected the city mowing habits. Usually stuff around ere is well maintained. I'm a little surprised at the high grass.
Entering Child's Park. If I was a kid I'd want to come here. Nice area for playing looks like to me. Never ride through on weekends. but seems when I do, I never see too many people.
The path straddles a creek of sorts do a stretch here. You can always find something here, usually an egret, looking for snacks.
Just trying to work on my still life photography. It seems I still suck.
The beauty and the curse of this place is that it is green year around.
I'll hand it to city planners: lots of bike paths that can get you virtually anywhere in the city.
You can run this trail and seldom see anyone else riding. Maybe a pedestrian but not a lot of bike traffic.
A waterway filled with lettuce and other water vegetation.
One of the hardest things to capture on film: they have to stop moving before you can take their picture.
These guys, not so tough to get a good shot.
We pass some sort of spillway. Not really sure what is going on here.
A nice bridge that couldn't have been too cheap to build. Again, they don't seem to spare any expense for bike paths.
Getting closer to Shawshank, now. Heading toward another park and then cross...
...This is 22nd Street. A main artery that takes you to Gulfport and the Yacht Club and golf course.
Cross 22nd Street and here is the Par 3 golf course and driving range just a short way from my house arrest area.
Recently renovated and cleaned up Clam Bayou. I saw a video once of the area around here before the renovation. Golf balls covered the area along with trash and waste. After the clean-up they rigged something up so no golf balls would end up in the bayou.
New bike path and pedestrian bridge over the Bayou.
Sometimes you see some folks fishing along the bridge into these waters.
I slow up every time I cross these waters looking for a snake or gator or something but only see the always stalking egrets/herons or a fish jumping.
The ever present signs of man's indifference to nature. Wherever you go around here, be it Sawhill or Boyd Hill Nature Preserve or just around the waterways you see an amazing amount of trash.
Life tries to hang on wherever it can.
The trip is almost over. You can see Shawshank from here.
That gnarly tree up ahead has been the subject of many photos. There is a nest of Osprey in it and they are always good subjects.
Patience and stealth.
The tennis courts and shuffleboard area at Shawshank.
The Clam Bayou is home to many varieties of birds.
Shawshank is to the left and the Bayou is to the right. In other words, no escape. Pappillon was a whiner.
Not a golf ball to be seen anywhere. Your tax dollars at work.
We are going to pass this area and another small park area and head into civilization, such as it is.
An old Indian mound? No, but this hillock still looks odd out here.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and we are about to end this trip. Here we are, still on the path and heading toward Wal-Mart.
Making sure no palm trees escape.
Cross the street here and you go into the back of Wal-Mart. Turn left and you head to the front gate of Shawshank.
The locked enclosure. They give you a clicker that opens the gate if you reside here. There are also two pedestrian entrances. You have to push some buttons to get back in.
The super secret code that lets you back into the bucolic embrace of Shawshank.
The ride is over and with the summer heat, that's good enough. In the winter you can head back up and catch the trail and go virtually miles in either direction. The length of the trail at this time is over 38 miles. Be sure to bring some water with you.
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