Walking is the absolutely best exercise in the world-in my humble opinion. I try to walk as much as I can and many of you know I normally walk the Fort Campbell Clarksville Base Trail. Well, that trail has become a bit too long for me since I had an injury to my foot (avulsion fracture) in October of last year. That fracture and the resulting pain that lasted nearly five months really laid me low. I was unable to walk for exercise during my recovery. I'm happy to say I am now better and have begun walking again. I think walking, in addition to being good for your body, is also good for your mind-and who doesn't need that? I decided I needed to find a shorter walking trail than the Clarksville Base Trail because I did not think I would be able to handle the nearly 4.5 mile long walk right away. My next choice in trails to walk was to walk the Clarksville Greenway Pollard Road Trailhead.
I was actually familiar with the route because my garden club (Beachaven Garden Club) has taken on a civic project that involves marking the wildflowers along the trail. As part of that project I have walked the first section of the greenway a couple of times but never have I walked it for exercise. Now that my foot is fairly healed I have been out walking the trail for exercise with my dear husband (Mr. Fix-it) and my one dog that can actually walk, Lady. The area is so very peaceful. The barn pictured above is classic Tennessee and only one example of the beautiful scenery you will see on this trail.
The right side of the trail slopes down a bit and here is yet another barn. I love the bucolic setting and wonderful field. The water in the distance is the Red River. The Clarksville Greenway is a walking trail that was made from the old trail of a railroad route that is no longer used. The trail follows the Red River according to an informative sign at the start of the Greenway.
The trail is all flat (at least the first mile of it is) and is wonderfully paved. Many Clarksville and local area residents walk or ride their bicycles along this trail. It is not uncommon to see whole families taking a stroll on a nice day. While the trail is flat the surrounding countryside includes not only barns, fields, and a river, but also some interesting rock formations.
The rock formations resemble rocks with warts-more rocks inside of the rocks. I think this is cherty limestone but do not know for sure.
The Greenway has a long beautiful bridge where you must cross over a steep gorge. The bridge is named the 'Raymond C. Hand Pass'. Both sides of the bridge contain plaques outlining Mr. Hand's many contributions to the community. It made for interesting reading for Mr. Fix-it. Lady was only concerned with the lady taking her picture-me!
And here is the long beautiful bridge. The gorge is quite deep. If you are afraid of heights you might feel a little queasy on this bridge but don't let that stop you from crossing over and continuing the Greenway trail as it is most fun walking it....
in the garden....
