This photo could represent the vast majority of the trail. Though lovely, it doesn't offer much shade, so on a really intense 90 degree day, I suggest you choose the Little Miami Trail if you want shade.
Shawnee Creek gives the trail its name, and it runs alongside the trail for several miles though it is difficult to see because it is 20 feet lower than the trail and often obscured by the trees and their shadows. This photo was taken on a bridge over the creek taking you to the adjacent Sol Arnovitz Park (which could serve as a trailhead parking area for you.)
About four miles from the start you'll cross the bridge over the Little Miami River. There are small rest stops at each end of the bridge with overlooks onto the river.
After crossing several Xenia streets as you began your ride, you'll go some distance before crossing additional roads, and two of the larger roads have underpasses for you. You'll also pass several nice parks along the trail.
The Kil-Kare Dragway and Racetrack will be on your right alongside the trail. If it's race day, you'll hear it before you reach it!
It was race day on the drag strip as I rode by, and if you look closely at the black car in the lower right corner., you'll see smoke from his spinning tires as he prepares to move up to the starting line.
The town of Beavercreek has a poignant rest stop/park/memorial along the trail dedicated to 9/11, with several signs explaining the events and showing photos of that terrible day...
...and the memorial includes a column from the north Trade Tower. Over 1000 municipalities and non-profits applied for pieces from the Towers, and Beavercreek's application was granted. Two of their firefighters who had worked the horrific aftermath drove back to accept this remnant and bring it to Ohio. This section was a multi-story window casement structure between floors 101 and 105 of the north tower, just above the point of impact of flight 11. It is 25 feet tall, eight feet wide, and weighs three tons. This memorial was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the attacks in 2011.
The juxtaposition of two stark and dramatic photos in the display brought home to me anew the outrage of this monstrous attack: This "before: photo...
...and the "after" photo...
The memorial was especially poignant to me because one of my all-time favorite high school students, Mari-Rae Sopper, a state champion gymnast and a Navy JAG Corps lawyer, was aboard, heading for a college gymnastics head-coaching job in California. RIP Mari-Rae.
The trail then crosses I-675 on this impressive 465 foot long restored railroad overpass.
No comments:
Post a Comment