https://parks.decorahia.org/trail-maps
Check it out, lots of Trails to ride/walk.
Quick change of plans we decided to go to Tompson,IL and start out on the Great Mississippi Trail.
Soon we were on our way.
Here the trail is very nice!
South of here the path turns onto, what I believe is a private road and has had a layer of chip and oil applied over a very poor surface preparation, because most of the new chip and oil has come off. Leaving millions of Silver dollar size little plateaus about 1/2 to 3/4 inch high. Making a VERY rough surface. But after a mile or so goes back on to a Bike trail. You will get everything shook up!
The nicest thing about this trail,
is the canopy of trees over a lot of the trail.
We actually rode clear to Fulton,IL before turning around. That had not been our intention,
as by the Hwy 84 it is 8 miles one way.
We Arrived and parked at the Facilities on the trail outside Tomson, IL.
Soon we were on our way.
Here the trail is very nice!
South of here the path turns onto, what I believe is a private road and has had a layer of chip and oil applied over a very poor surface preparation, because most of the new chip and oil has come off. Leaving millions of Silver dollar size little plateaus about 1/2 to 3/4 inch high. Making a VERY rough surface. But after a mile or so goes back on to a Bike trail. You will get everything shook up!
The nicest thing about this trail,
is the canopy of trees over a lot of the trail.
We actually rode clear to Fulton,IL before turning around. That had not been our intention,
as by the Hwy 84 it is 8 miles one way.
Here is a short video of a portion of out ride. Need to get a GoPro!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3uJUM36RNY&feature=youtu.be
On our way back we left the trail and travelled about a mile,
to see Lock and Dam 13 on the Mississippi.
Along the causeway was a huge water expanse covered as far as the eye can see of Lily Pads.
And there were several Blue Heron nests in
amongst the Lilys.
We went up on the Observation Deck, for an
overall view of the system here.
The dam is impressive and the locks are huge,
about 650 feet long overall.
The south gate was closed as was the north gate.
I had hoped to see a string of barges go thru, but all we saw was a little pleasure boat, pass thru the lock.
The pleasure boat came into the lock and the gate closed behind them. Then they began lowering the water.
The ribs on the sides of the locks show the water level.
At the dam, they get from one end of the lock to
the other on a Delta type Trike.
The darker sides of the locks show where the water level
was and how much it dropped. About 4 feet.
Once the water level was lowered,
the gate was opened and the
Pleasure boat moved on.
Soon we were back on the path and headed back to our starting point. It was an absolutely beautiful day, the temp was in the lower 70's and just a light breeze.
With the side trip it was a little over 20 miles round trip!
When we arrive back at the trailhead we net a couple from the Chicago area. We chatted with them and they asked if there was a place to eat nearby and we told them about "Dusty's" restaurant about 3 blocks into town, we all went there for lunch.
Stock Photo
831 W Main St, Thomson, IL 61285
Also a couple of doors down is Arnold's Bike Shop, for sales rentals and Repairs.
After we ate they headed back to the trail
and south and we headed home!
On our way back we left the trail and travelled about a mile,
to see Lock and Dam 13 on the Mississippi.
Along the causeway was a huge water expanse covered as far as the eye can see of Lily Pads.
And there were several Blue Heron nests in
amongst the Lilys.
We went up on the Observation Deck, for an
overall view of the system here.
The dam is impressive and the locks are huge,
about 650 feet long overall.
The south gate was closed as was the north gate.
I had hoped to see a string of barges go thru, but all we saw was a little pleasure boat, pass thru the lock.
The pleasure boat came into the lock and the gate closed behind them. Then they began lowering the water.
The ribs on the sides of the locks show the water level.
At the dam, they get from one end of the lock to
the other on a Delta type Trike.
The darker sides of the locks show where the water level
was and how much it dropped. About 4 feet.
Once the water level was lowered,
the gate was opened and the
Pleasure boat moved on.
Soon we were back on the path and headed back to our starting point. It was an absolutely beautiful day, the temp was in the lower 70's and just a light breeze.
With the side trip it was a little over 20 miles round trip!
Stock Photo
817 W Main St, Thomson, IL 61285
Also a couple of doors down is Arnold's Bike Shop, for sales rentals and Repairs.
After we ate they headed back to the trail
and south and we headed home!
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