Greenways - The Smart Way to Travel

May 24th

The last few trips have had a common transportation theme, bicycles.  In truth, we have not bicycled from the campground but used the bicycles at our destinations: Deep Creek,  Franklin, Lake Junaluska, and Waynesville.  

Oops wrong trail... this is not a bike route!

It all started when Bill said "We  haven't been on the bikes lately."  As usual he was correct so we started looking for bicycling adventures.  You know how that goes don't you?  Put a thought into the universe and forces combine to provide opportunity.  

Deep Creek in the Smoky Mountain National Park.
Perhaps you recall this area from our previous hikes.  Several of the trails are old forest service and/or logging roads thus lending themselves to a multi-use designation.  

The slope was gentle and the gravel and streams provided the challenge.  We stopped to gaze at yet another waterfall before the trail split.  However, the biggest challenge is reading the trail guide correctly which we learned is an art as I selected a foot path.  

Little Tennessee River Greenway

The following day we drove to Franklin taking Hwy 28 which you can easily consider a backroad. This is a twisty two lane road that reminded me of summer trips to "The Mountains" and all Floridians my age understand that "The Mountains" meant North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was a great drive with a stop to pick Strawberries and chat with the local produce workers.

Thus we arrived in Franklin a bit later than anticipated.  A wrong turn uncovered a park near the river so we stopped to explore.  It was then we discovered the Franklin Greenway which invited us for a walk.

The information booth indicated this was a relatively long path with multiple parks, covered bridges, shops, and stops along the way.  Hmmm, sounds like a good place to bicycle!

The greenway traverse the city by following the river; it bypasses the auto traffic and provides an efficient means for alternate traffic.   There are also areas to support solitude, relaxation, gardening, exercise, and wildlife.  

Two Families of Canadian Geese

About a week later we decided a return to Lake Junaluska was in order and this trip was to bicycle the lake and the Greenways in the Waynesville area.  So off we went.

The trip around Lake Junaluska is beautiful and relaxing.  Most of the trip follows a path around the lake but in a few areas using the road is the safer choice.

The Lake Junaluska connector to the Waynesville Greenway was the main focus of the trip after leaving the lake.  This 5.3 mile route allows one to safely bicycle from Junaluska to Waynesville as it winds along the river and major roads, industrial parks and educational centers, shops and houses.  We never completed the entire journey as once again we were running later than anticipated.  

Avoiding the highway is the name of the game with a greenway

Guess our next trip to Waynesville will include the remainder of the Waynesville Greenway.