Kickapoo Rail Trail -- Le Tour Goes to Oakwood
Strip mine pond near parking area |
Riding west on Skyline Drive |
Interstate 74 westbound toward Champaign/Urbana LOUD! When completed, the rail trail will run nearly 30 miles between there and Danville |
South end of I 74 bridge, Skyline Drive continues |
That is one steep downhill! Always disappears when photographed I turn to the Fairgrounds before having to deal with it down or up |
Entrance to the Fair Grounds Closed to vehicular traffic Actually a 'backdoor' way in Apparently, it use is not encouraged |
Past the non-photo-worthy Fairgrounds approaching the rail trail |
Eastern terminus of the rail trail for now It will extend into Kickapoo Little did I know there is a far better place to start the trail |
Riding west toward the trestle
Past the trestle, last night's storms have brought down a tree branch I did NOT bunny hop over it! |
Path cleared, continue west toward Oakwood, Illinois |
Typical scene |
Interesting Weed |
Arrived at Oakwood well south of the main town The trail continues west and terminates Work continues between St. Joseph and here Turned around and headed back east |
Entrance to the Rail Trail from US 150 west of Danville |
Here is the main trail head, just off US Rte 150 west of Danville Just west of the trestle Lots of parking and facilities |
View South from the trestle |
View North from trestle |
The abandoned rail line was owned by Conrail who generously offered to donate the right of way to the Conservation Districts of Champaign and Vermilion counties
Then . . .
Conrail was dissolved and merged with CSX who then became the owners
CSX demanded 3 million dollars for the right of way -- which was a major set back to the trail development
Heading back to the Edge I 74 East Bound "East bound and down -- Load it up and truck it!" |
My first turtle rescue, except it wasn't really a rescue, it had already crossed the road Little green specks on the shell are duckweed plants from the pond it exited I join Bob's turtle rescue team :) |
Returning to Danville Could stop off for a cool one at "The Bear" tavern I'm guessing that place could get a bit interesting from time to time |
A shortish 8 mile ride altogether, but a refreshing change of scene
Starting someplace in Kickapoo would lengthen the ride possibilities -- that would involve some steep climbs and descents
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