I also opened a private Twitter account to post each ride. That way I have a quick reference log, sometimes with pictures. It's a real hassle to transfer pictures from my phone to my computer and then to my blog. Much easier to link to a Twitter update for the pictures. The links, hyperlinked at the end of this post, link to either my private or public Twitter account.
Below is a copy and paste of my most recent post from Adventures with Olivia.
***
Trying to recall what year I first rode the greenway in Mt. Airy. My mind wonders, 2014? 2015? Did I even own Olivia in 2014? I'll have to ask next time at the bike shop and see if they have the date I purchased Olivia.
The first time I rode that greenway, it was divided into three separate segments. Ten to twelve months later I debated with myself whether or not I wanted to hassle with driving to three different locations to ride each section. The "give-it-a-go" side won. When I arrived at my parking destination, I discovered that the three sections had been connected to form one continuous, approximately seven-mile, greenway. I was delighted! This week, while reading some Mt. Airy greenway history, I learned that the three sections were connected in 2016. So I'm guessing I first rode the three segments in 2015. I have no idea how many times I've ridden the Ararat since then. A lot.
I enjoy this greenway because, for one thing, it's mostly flat. There is one very short, steep hill and a few other slight inclines. And it's paved. So it's an easy ride, which I often need due to polyradiculitis. And Mt. Airy is typically cooler than where I live in Winston-Salem. Even a couple degrees helps when it's in the 90s.
I enjoy the Ararat River which parallels most of the winding greenway. Two great blue herons reside there. I don't know if it's the same herons year after year, but looks like it to me. I guess I've seen them on 90% of my rides. When they fly, they look like a pterodactyl, or at least pictures of what scientists believe pterodactyls looked like.
I see groundhogs almost every time I ride there. They make me chuckle, the way they scurry-waddle. More than once a groundhog and I have spooked one another because we don't hear or see each other until we're right beside ourselves.
I always count it a good ride when I see a groundhog or eight, and/or a heron or two. I've also seen deer and snakes, and of course squirrels. And there are lots of songbirds at the northern end, including red-winged black birds. The songbirds often fly along with me as I zoom on Olivia. Makes me feel like Snow White.
This year I noticed the greenway sign reads "Granite City Greenway." I hadn't noticed that before. I wondered, Why is it called Granite City?
I've since learned that Granite City is a nickname for Mt. Airy which is home to the world's largest open face granite quarry known as North Carolina Granite Corporation.. I don't know anything really about quarries, so I don't know what "open face" means. Next time I drive out Pine Street as I'm going to Meadows of Dan, Virginia, I'll take a left onto Granite Quarry Trail which is where the quarry is located and see what I can see.
After the three greenway segments were connected in 2016,Mt. Airy's greenway system was named Granite City Greenway. However, the segments will also retain their original names of Emily B. Taylor Greenway, named after a late former Mt. Airy mayor and commissioner; and Ararat Greenway, named for the river the greenway follows.
Mt. Airy also bears the nickname "Mayberry." The late actor Andy Griffith was born and raised in Mt. Airy. He starred as Sherriff Taylor in a TV series based in the fictitious town of Mayberry, North Carolina, which many say is based on the town of Mt. Airy. In the show, reference is made to the fictitious town of Mt. Pilot. The real town of Pilot Mountain is only 11 miles from Mt. Airy. The show also references Siler City and Raleigh, both of which are actual cities in North Carolina.
Needless to say, Mt. Airy is home to many things Mayberry.
*~*
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| Riding the Ararat, 8/17/17 |
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| Riding the Ararat, 6/14/18 |
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| Riding the Ararat, 8/17/17 |
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| Riding the Ararat, 6/14/18 |
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| Riding the Ararat, 8/17/17 |
~*~
Below are links to some of my rides on the Granite City Greenway, which I have affectionately renamed Groundhog Greenway. I plan to add to the list as I make my way along the Ararat.
July 6, 2018:
14 mi. Solo. Mt. Airy Greenway.
4 groundhogs, multiple sightings. At least 1 of the teens.
Both herons.
Rainy drizzles. 75 degrees. Nice!
Met Lewis at AutoCave.
Thanked them for greenway magic, waters in the coolers, especially since I forgot mine.
4 groundhogs, multiple sightings. At least 1 of the teens.
Both herons.
Rainy drizzles. 75 degrees. Nice!
Met Lewis at AutoCave.
Thanked them for greenway magic, waters in the coolers, especially since I forgot mine.
July 2, 2018:
18.9 mi. Solo.
Mt. Airy Greenway, aka Granite City GW, aka Groundhog GW.
Northern sections 4x.
Tough ride today. Weak. Fatigued. Prolly have 2 up prednisone tomorrow.
5 groundhogs, incl the 2 teenagers.
1 heron 2x.
They brought me smiles.
Mt. Airy Greenway, aka Granite City GW, aka Groundhog GW.
Northern sections 4x.
Tough ride today. Weak. Fatigued. Prolly have 2 up prednisone tomorrow.
5 groundhogs, incl the 2 teenagers.
1 heron 2x.
They brought me smiles.
June 21, 2018:
20.5 mi. Solo. Mt.Airy Greenway.
6 groundhogs, including those 2 teens.
Also saw 1 dead groundhog. :(
Lots of songbirds. Flew along with me.
Both herons! Yay!
Green snake. Saw it 2x, going 1 way & then the other. We spooked each other 1st time. Also spook with 1 groundhog.
I inquired about the snake. It was a rough green snake.
6 groundhogs, including those 2 teens.
Also saw 1 dead groundhog. :(
Lots of songbirds. Flew along with me.
Both herons! Yay!
Green snake. Saw it 2x, going 1 way & then the other. We spooked each other 1st time. Also spook with 1 groundhog.
I inquired about the snake. It was a rough green snake.
June 16, 2018:
16.7 mi. Mt. Airy/Granite City Greenway. Solo.
Riverside Pk. -> VFW -> Riverside Pk.
Part of northern leg 4x.
1 heron.
5 groundhogs. 2 of them were the same teens I saw Thurs.
Birds were quite active.
Think I'll rename it Groundhog Greenway.
Riverside Pk. -> VFW -> Riverside Pk.
Part of northern leg 4x.
1 heron.
5 groundhogs. 2 of them were the same teens I saw Thurs.
Birds were quite active.
Think I'll rename it Groundhog Greenway.
June 14, 2018:
Delightful ride. today.
21.5 mi. Solo. Mt. Airy GW, parts of it 4x, + ride thru VFW Memorial Pk.
Tweet pics linked. I also saw a greenway sign that calls it Granite City Greenway? I'll have to recheck that. Saw police escort a man w/a 6-pack of beer away from the hammock garden.
Also saw 5 groundhogs: 1 sow & piglet, 2 teens, & 1 young adult
One of the resident herons.
Lovely lilies...Creek grasses...Creek humans...
21.5 mi. Solo. Mt. Airy GW, parts of it 4x, + ride thru VFW Memorial Pk.
Tweet pics linked. I also saw a greenway sign that calls it Granite City Greenway? I'll have to recheck that. Saw police escort a man w/a 6-pack of beer away from the hammock garden.
Also saw 5 groundhogs: 1 sow & piglet, 2 teens, & 1 young adult
One of the resident herons.
Lovely lilies...Creek grasses...Creek humans...
Monday, May 14, 2018:
Monday ride, Mt. Airy Greenway.
Saw 7 groundhogs. A record! They always make me chuckle. 2 were li'l pigs w/Mom. Pic is of groundhog hiding pipe or den.
Saw the 2 resident herons. 1 in graceful flight over Ararat River.
Saw 7 groundhogs. A record! They always make me chuckle. 2 were li'l pigs w/Mom. Pic is of groundhog hiding pipe or den.
Saw the 2 resident herons. 1 in graceful flight over Ararat River.
May 8, 2018:
Water & hammocks, a little greenway magic.
Yet more magical are...
two young groundhogs playing chase,
swallowtails in flight,
Mom pushing teenage son in his wheelchair,
Dad helping young daughter to balance on 2 wheels.
Good things I see while cycling.
Yet more magical are...
two young groundhogs playing chase,
swallowtails in flight,
Mom pushing teenage son in his wheelchair,
Dad helping young daughter to balance on 2 wheels.
Good things I see while cycling.
March 16, 2018:
After 1 month break, I'm back in the saddle.
Greenway welcomed me with 8 deer a-runnin' & a donkey.
Stay away vertigo.
Greenway welcomed me with 8 deer a-runnin' & a donkey.
Stay away vertigo.
December 18, 2017:
Sweet freedom! Wheeee...
Cycling is life. Life is cycling.
Hay-rolls a' resting along Ararat River. Mt. Airy Greenway.
Cycling is life. Life is cycling.
Hay-rolls a' resting along Ararat River. Mt. Airy Greenway.
August 17, 2017:
Lovely day on the Mt. Airy Greenway.
Next stop - Blue Ridge Pkwy.
Next stop - Blue Ridge Pkwy.
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