A few of us barn girls spent a glorious halloween afternoon riding along the Air Line Rail Trail. For those of you who live in or around Connecticut, this is an awesome resource for biking, hiking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, walking, dog walking and running. Even young children can enjoy it, for the terrain is flat and easy to navigate. I will warn you that the high elevation of some of the bridges and portions of the trail system require caution, especially when you’re riding a 1000 lb. animal who might jump to the side if spooked. My trusty steed behaved, thank you to The Powers That Be.
Very Brief History of the Rail Trail – Two of the most important cities in the United States in the mid-1800s were Boston and New York City. To build a railroad on the straight line between the two cities, diagonally through Connecticut and Southeast Massachusetts, had long been a dream of various railroad investors and engineers. The “Air Line” route got its name from the idea that the railroad would follow a path as “if a line had been drawn through the air” between the two cities.
The idea eventually took shape after much trial and tribulation, corruption and re-organization. However..in the long run and moving forward a hundred years – by the 1960’s there was flood damage to many of the bridges and it was no longer profitable to run certain sections of the rail trail. It slowly became defunct, although certain portions are still in use today.
Once certain parts of the line were abandoned, the state of Connecticut stepped in to oversee the property. The section of the Airline from East Hampton to Willimantic, from Willimantic to Putnam, and in Thompson were placed under the control of the Department of Environmental Protection. The state government in the 1980s began planning the 50 plus mile greenway corridor from Portland to Thompson which would become one of New England’s most treasured recreation paths.
The information I posted here and the complete history of the train service can be found on this site.
My photos don’t do the trail justice, as I had only my iphone and the fear of falling off the side of the cliff should my horse decide to do the unthinkable. Fear-based iphone pics generally suck.
You are a brave girl, Karen. I don't think I could even ride a bike so close to the edge of a trail like this, but I can imagine what a beautiful day it was. Your pictures are just gorgeous…even in the Iphone.
XO,
Jane
Hi there Karen!!
So nice of you to pop over and say hi today! I want to see your recued horse when you were 18..maybe an old post you can direct me to?
LOVED the ride and that trail system is so perfectly wonderful…no motorised!! And like the fact the yeilding is posted as well, for the bike riders!My mare handles the motoorised, better than the silent bikes, that glide up on ya!
YOU all had so much fun…what a perfect 31st!!
AND- I have a wonderful answer for winter riding that really works(good socks do too) "CASHEL CO." has "Cozy Toes". I have two sets(1 to share) they attach right to the stirrup iron, shileding your tootsies from the wind. They have a little pocket in the front that you put those air activated, hand warmer packet in. If your feet happen to get cold…you just reactivate the warmer by- ziggling your feet sideways- a few times…instant warm again!!
We have a rail ride called "Banks Vernonia" trailways. It is nice too!
Thanks for the ride!!
Kac
Ya, fingers, toes and my nose are the first things cold on me. No circulation in any of them obviously. Looks like fun though and I'm going to search for something similar in our area since Roanoke has always been an important railway city.
Di
Kid and I miss you….sigh.
That looks like a great way to spend the day, beautiful area…if I wasn't scared to death of horses I'd look into it.
What fun. I favorite thing for many years was the chance to go horseback riding. Now if I am on too long the insides of my knees get in severe pain so I don't ride anymore, poo. What a beautiful place to ride. Thanks for sharing.
I'm not sure if horses are allowed on the rail to trails in RI but the ones that I have been on…mostly the South County one….are wonderful for biking, walking, and taking the kids! It is wonderful that so many of the old railroad tracks have been converted for public use like this. Horseback riding on them sounds like fun.
What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, and what a great place to ride! I grew up with horses but haven't been on one in years!
Kat 🙂
You have far more nerve than I do. When I was a teen, a horse stepped on my foot. I haven't gone near them since. Except to photograph, of course.
Brenda
Oh…to have a horse and ride again…What a beautiful place….what a glorious day! Lucky girl! Hugs- Diana
Beautiful place to ride!!! And Brave of you to take pics while riding!!
that looks like so much fun !
Loved your photos and visiting your state this morning. When we retire in a few years we hope to make several trips to your area. Come visit me in Arkansas at Granny Mountain…
Oh that looks just sublime… what an interesting trail and bit of history.
Electric socks or Ugg boots with some instant warmers stuck inside of them work wonders (coming from a hockey mom who spends larges amounts of time at the ice rink.)
I'm catching up on your posts (as you may have noticed) and was just thinking, while reading your latest one about phoning while riding, that I'd love to see photos of your horses and your trails. Well… obviously I missed this one 😉 Luvly!