Tunnel Hill Southern Illinois

April 5, 2013 Tunnel Hill

On our way home after we left Paducah, KY on Friday, we drove to Vienna, IL and got off the Interstate and dove up to the Tunnel Hill Road Trailhead and got on the trail. I had read about this trail before and decided to take advantage of the chance to ride a portion of the trail..

 About 100 yards from the Trailhead is the name sake tunnel, this tunnel used to be 800 feet long, but in 1929 a collapse shortened it by 300 feet. The path is crushed limestone and pretty smooth. I would recommend lights on your bikes, you can see the other end of the tunnel, but you must focus on the opening at the other end to ride through and hope for no obstructions.

There are 23 trestle bridges on the trail, this is the first we we came to, the Breeden Trestle, this one is 450 feet long.

The next trestle was not far ahead

This is the wash to the west of the trestle, that during heavy rains joins with the main stream.

Looking south through the trestle

The next bridge is an old I-Beam rail road bridge.

View from the other side

One of the many rock cuts along this portion of the path, in most sections there is a running creek along side the path about 100 feet down.

Here we are coming back to the namesake tunnel.

Surf Side Beach South Carolina

April 3, 2013 Huntington Beach Park,South Carolina

I had a photo shoot in Lorus, SC and once that was done we were staying in Surf Side Beach, SC and so we drove to Huntington Beach Park, just down the road. Most of our riding was actually outside the park on a city supported path from Murrells Inlet to Litchfield Beach. Enjoyable ride. We then rode up the path to Atalaya home of Sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, which was buillt in 1931.

Along US Hwy 17 is Murrells Inlet

The curvy paved path

The concrete path leading up to Atalaya in Huntington Beach Park,

we saw an alligator along here in the water just 20 feet from the path.

Atalaya information, double click to enlarge.

Atalaya, looks like a prison, but on close inspection is rather interesting

Judy on the beach dune

The ocean at the park 

Judy riding on the beach, it was unbelievably smooth and easy to ride on.

Judy  shot me riding on the beach, we wish we would have had more time to ride the beach.

Riding the Silver Comet Trail, Spring of 2013

Riding the Silver Comet Trail, Spring of 2013

We were back in the Atlanta area, Hiram, GA from March 29th through April 2nd and rode the trail again. It was a bit warmer, this time of year, than when we rode last fall, we were only able to ride one day, as I had to go to Cartersville, GA and  Lorus,South Carolina for a photo shoot.

The path turns down towards Thompson Creek

Thompson Creek as it flows along side of the trail

The bridge where Thompson and Euharlee creek come together at trail mile marker 36 and the town of Rockmart, GA.

 The infamous hill leading up to US Hwy 278 and GA SR 6,  

we turned around here to ride back to Coot"s Lake. 

You will have to ask Judy about this hill.

Wooden board walk over the marsh just west of Rockmart, GA

On the edge of Rockmart, GA

Old Feed Mill in Rockmart on the edge of the path, the rail road 

probably served this mill many years ago.

Close up of rock cut along the path, this was probably all done by dynamite, picks and shovels and mules.

Riding the Silver Comet Trail day 4

Our fourth day riding the Silver Comet Trail

Remember, you can double click on any picture to see it in a larger size.

Our start point on this days ride

Headed east from Coot's Lake.

Brushy Mountain Tunnel, about 2 miles east of Coots Lake, this is a 700 foot long, lighted tunnel under Brushy Mountain, was built in 1912, it is easy to imagine trains going through this tunnel as you ride through.

Looking east from the tunnel.

Warning to stay on trail and off of private property along the path, along with noting the mileage from the start of the trail.

The path going through one of many Rock Cuts along the way.

Close-up of the rocks in the cut

Close-up of the rocks in the cut

Taking a break at the Brushy Mountain tunnel on the way back to Coots Lake  it was a little cool on this day.

About a mile to go back to Coots Lake.

Silver Comet Trail day 3, October 29, 2012

Day 3 on the Silver Comet Trail

On October 29th I rode east towards the start point at Smyrna, GA

This is the east approach to the bridge over US Hwy 78 & GA Hwy 6

The deck over the highway, well enclosed.

Trestle at Olley Creek, once a major skirmish in the Civil War.

Trailhead and rest room facilities at Floyd Road.

View of the path

A left over relic from the Rail Road days along side the path.

Silver Comet Trail October 28, 2012

Our second day riding the Silver Comet.

 This is the Pumpkin Vine Creek Trestle, Built in 1903, it is 700 feet long and 100 feet above the creek. It is about 8 miles west of the Hiram Trail head

 View west from the East end

Looking down on the creek, 100 feet below.

Fall foliage along the path

Fall foliage along the path

Fall foliage along the path

Tunnel under Route 278 at mile marker 23.7, note the lights in the tunnel.

Fall foliage along the path

Fall foliage along the path

Willow Springs Road wooden trestle over the trail near mile marker 26 the path