Day 62, Sept 23. Coventry to Willimantic, CT

Bicycle trails can be such variable things. We did over 20 miles on two lovely paved bike trails yesterday. A very nice day. Today we started out with 8 miles on the Washington Secondary Trail, the best rail trail I have ever seen.
 

The first trail morphed into another, narrower trail, the Coventry Greenway Trestle Trail.


Then we had a 3 mile break on local roads, and were directed to re-join the Trestle Trail, but the trail had ceased to exist. Piles of sand, choking piles of brush, but no defined trail. Google, which we use for directions, REALLY wanted us on that trail. No.

Finally, about 8 miles outside of Willimantic, we were directed to the Airline North State Park Trail. This trail was packed sand and limestone. Kind of spooky and isolated feeling, but an interesting interlude before getting to the busy town of Willimantic.


The trail was surrounded by a white cedar swamp.
 

 


We are staying tonight at the Hop River Motel. We have hit a new bottom in motels. The lobby reminded me of a security cage in a check cashing business. Note that "no refunds" is prominently displayed. Once we got to our room, we understood why. Clean, but 8x10 room. No room to bring the bike into the room.

 

Tomorrow we ride to Meridan and take a ferry across the Connecticut river.