Walking on a Sunday

   Chattanooga has been active over the past few years in establishing walking trails (and bikes) around the Tennessee River area. There is the Riverwalk which begins at Chickamauga Dam, runs to downtown then south to the St. Elmo area at the foot of Lookout Mountain.

   There is also a Greenway trail that runs north from the River toward Hixson on the North Chickamauga Creek.

   Then there is the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, which, when finished, will run from the Riverwalk near the river, all the way to Camp Jordan in East Ridge. Carolyn and I have walked part of this trail previously, but yesterday, on a sunny Sunday, after a virtual church service, we took the section running east toward the Airport. This section goes about 2 miles until it reaches the still-under-construction part.

   The trailhead for this section is located at the old Sterchi Farm, just south of the Creek close to Highway 58 in East Chattanooga. Dairy cattle roamed these fields in days past, and the creamery was just to the east on Highway 58.

   Standing tall at the trailhead is an old silo, constructed of cobblestones, picked up from the fields around the area. 

   Right off the trail, heading east, the developers have constructed a small park. It is a sort of "challenge" area for kids, and others, consisting of large tree trunks, like you would use to cross a small stream or washout. The whole park is comprised of items from the surrounding area, like rocks from the fields and streams and the aforementioned logs.

   Then the trail begins to rise as it clings to the side of a hill working its way toward the Highway 58 bridge across the Creek, crossing under the bridge and over the Creek, taking its travelers to the north side. 

   The trail is mostly deserted, maybe 10 people walking in the 4 miles we hiked, plus 6 or 8 cyclists. It is a hidden gem meandering along the Creek, seemingly unknown by the inhabitants of the area. We were glad to find it.

   From Highway 58 we walked along the stream in an eastwardly direction, crossing under another railroad bridge, before we came to the end of the completed section, and retraced our steps to the Sterchi Farm.

   Walking and Cycling were not the only ways to enjoy this area. We saw canoeists on the water, and some kayakers. One couple looked to be enjoying lunch in their boats at a shady spot across the Creek.

   For two octogenarians, it was a great place to be out of doors. There were new flowers to ponder, history to consider, and just great scenery.

   Although we say we walked or hiked this trail, it was more like a stroll with our 25 minutes per mile pace, just about right to work up a Sunday lunch appetite.

   After all, 4 miles is not a bad morning stroll for old legs.

   The trail is a jewel, God's handiwork is awesome, and doing this together makes the experience worth celebrating.