Posted By auntie on July 20, 2019

2.86 miles; Coventry, RI

A continuation of the Trails & Walks group’s hike of the entire Washington Secondary Bike Path, this section runs through Coventry. Temps for our last section of this, done last December, were in the single digits. Today it was expected that they might hit TRIPLE digits. Ah, New England…

Flat River Crossing

Because it was predicted to be so darned hot, we got an early start at 7:00 am. It was a tranquil morning, and the ducks and geese were off to their business like commuters on 95.

Prayer Garden

There was a church which backed onto the bike path, and they had a nice little “Prayer Garden” set up with benches and some pretty plantings.

Bindweed

This was a great day, again, for wildflowers. We saw all sorts of things in bloom; evening primrose, tansy, crown vetch, centaurea, and many more. I thought these bindweed flowers were particularly lovely, even though I assiduously root the stuff out of my yard everywhere it pops up. It’s a very noxious weed.

Affirmations on Post-Its

This trail also conveniently goes right by an ice cream shop, where we stopped to use the tables to sit and adjust packs and do other minor hiking housekeeping chores, although it was sadly WAY too early to be open for business. I found these post-its on the ground nearby. Why, thank you anonymous post-it planter!

Ode

Lots and lots of dragonflies accompanied us today, too. I wish I had the facility with this family of insects that my friend Bruce does, but I don’t. It’s a dragonfly. I’m pretty sure about that.

Track (click for details)

You can find out more about and get maps of the Washington Secondary Bike Path at this RI Dept. of Transportation website. As always, click the image above for details about this hike and to download the gps track.

Categories: Rhode Island, Walks and Hikes, Washington Secondary Bike Path
Tags: 2–5 miles, Coventry RI, RI