The Silver Comet Trail

For the past couple of days, I’ve been enjoying the scenery while getting my exercise by walking on the Silver Comet Trail. I’ve loved it. It’s a beautiful, concrete trail that is perfect for bicyclists, walkers, runners, and skaters.

I was only able to enjoy a piece of the trail considering it’s over 60 miles in length. It ranges from northwest of Atlanta in Smyrna, Georgia to the Chief Ladiga trail at the Georgia-Alabama state line. With the Chief Ladiga trail and the Silver Comet Trail combined, the entire trail is a 96 mile long path making it the longest paved trail in the whole U.S.

The green line on this map is the trail. I got this map off of the silver comet map website which I have given a link to at the bottom!

Pretty cool, huh? If you are in the area, it’s a trail to check out especially if you enjoy nature, exercise, and tranquility.

After researching a bit, I have found several links to help you get to know the trail more. It turns out the Silver Comet Trail received its name because it is the path of the old railroad that the “Silver Comet” passenger train line operated from in 1947-1969. Passenger service was discontinued in 1969, and the railroad was used for freight until it was abandoned by CSX in 1989. In 1992, the Georgia DOT purchased the land and began building the Silver Comet Trail in 1998. However, it was not completed until 10 years later in 2008.

 

I got this picture off of the american rails website. I’ve provided a link to check it out as well!

I can’t say I’m surprised at the amount of time and hard work it took to bring the trail together. The trail is beautiful and well made. It’s one I am definitely glad I have experienced. It compliments the small town area of Rockmart, Georgia perfectly.

Want to know more? Here are some great links to check out!

http://www.silvercometga.com/index.shtml

http://silvercometmap.com/welcome-to-the-silver-comet-trail/

http://www.american-rails.com/silver-comet.html

An Update: It’s Been Too Long

It’s been way too long since we’ve updated.

School is finally over for the semester and so many things have changed within a month. I’m sitting here thinking of where I should even begin to explain.

Our outlook has changed dramatically. We won’t necessarily be hitting the open road with no strings tied back home. That sort of freedom is not something Nathan and I are ready for, and honestly, I don’t even know if I want that. At least not right now.

It’s hard to admit that, because in a way, I feel like that realization is a failure to some. At least to the ones that mean the most to me.

Which brings me to the next change, a change in relationships.

That change has been the rockiest one of all. I’m somewhat baffled by the situation, but it’s to be expected sometimes.

Needless to say, Nathan will still be pursuing paint-less dent repair, just not with my uncle. It’s crazy how things turn out.

Among all the changes, Nathan has never been happier. I hope he’ll eventually get on here to talk about it more, because he struggled a lot with security in his other job.

It took him awhile to make that final plunge to quit, because he was scared. I’m not going to lie. I was terrified too. However, he allowed himself to break away from his slavery in that job, and because of that, new things opened up for him that he truly enjoys.

I’m thankful for the people that made this happen for him, and I’m sure he is too.

We are in Rockmart, Georgia right now staying at The Rock Campground. Nathan working on dents, and I have finished up school for the semester. I am now doing a little bit of work with my freelance writing jobs. It’s a slow start, but I think this a great beginning for me. I truly want to pursue a writing career in some way and have always wanted to write a book. Who knows? I might just do that!

So I guess I’ve said all this to basically point out the doors that are opening up for Nathan and me. We don’t have all the answers, and we don’t claim too. We just want to live this life to the fullest and do the things that make us happy. And as confusing, stressful, and emotional this whole experience is, I’d like to think we are going in the right direction. And we are far from where we once were.

-Erica

Our camper and truck at The Rock in Rockmart, GA

More Pictures at The Rock. They have little cabins you can rent out. How cute!