Cycling the Hockhocking Adena trail

Thursday
We checked out of the lodge after breakfast and proceeded to Athens, a university town, about 35 minutes away, which is one end of the Hockhocking Adena bike trail, the other end being Nelsonville. We didn’t go right into the town, as Roger had picked out a trail head a little way out of town. We had done this trail once before, but a number of years ago now, and it has been extended since.
The 21 mile Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is located on the old Columbus and Hocking Valley railroad bed,  and is named in honor of the first inhabitants of this southeastern Ohio region. “Hockhocking,” which means “bottleneck” or “twisted,” was the native Shawnee name for the Hocking River; “Adena” reflects the history of the Adena Indians who lived in the Hocking Valley more than 2,000 years ago. Before the railroad, it was a towpath alongside the Hocking Canal, built between 1829 and 1842, which moved agricultural products and other goods to Carroll, Ohio, where it joined the Ohio-Erie Canal. Much of the way, the trail runs along the river on one side, and on the other side, wooded slopes with rocky outcrops. We did 20 miles return, my highest distance this year so far. Our plan then was to have some lunch in Athens, but by this time it was about 1.45, and we discovered from our phones, several places closed at 2pm. I guess a combination of college being out for the summer, and Covid related issues, the town is not as lively as usual. We ended up getting some Vietnamese/Chines takeaway and eating it in a nearby park, before driving the 2 1/2 hours home. A great midweek break!
Please check out my blips from the last two days
Burr Oak State Park and An active day!

Cycling: 20 miles
Step count: 6,516