DAY 6

This is the northern terminus of the Constitution Trail. Now, you must understand that I cycle to this point at least once per week, and generally even more often. I know perfectly well that the trail used to be a railroad track, but it's never entered my mind to wonder why the track just ends here.

It doesn't. It continues on. What looks like a row of hedge trees at the end of the trail is actually the overgrown tracks.The rails have been removed and there is now some excellent singletrack for riding. I can't believe I've never thought about this. However, it's hard to see because the grain elevator on the side of the trail — the Kerrick Elevator — must have purchased some of the railroad easement and moved the path over. So you don't see the straight line of the tracks so easily.





Once you look, though, you can see where trains once pulled up to the grain spigot to load. And in fact, I've always noticed that spigot because of its design. The portion hanging down consists of iron cones chained one to another. So it's flexible, but made out of metal. Obviously, the thing has lasted decades.

Needless to say, all of this pondering about history makes one thirsty. So it seemed like a good idea to stop at a pub called Maggie Miley's. Ms. Miley came here in 1846 with her husband, who helped build the very railroad that used to run by the grain elevator.

Cheers.