onwards - forwards - discover your own scenery

#drawfool #doodle for Feb. 26, 2018.

21. People power paths, walking, bicycle, wheelchair and skate etc.. - as alternative transportation to roads. 

This daydream is halfway done in reality right now. But, started for me on walking paths that stretch for miles across Washington State, and continued with the much needed ‘Belt-line’ path that bisects the city of Atlanta. These well run trails safely separated from motor vehicle traffic are wonderful. It’s such a good feeling to get away from the noise and fear of people behind the wheel. “On your left!” called out by someone, a voice on a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates. Is so much nicer than a horn. I felt happy for young people getting to learn how to ride bicycles on these trails. I know that 90% of bicycle accident fatalities are automobile meets bike crashes.

For me, I like to walk, a lot. I had a grocery cart, I tried to wear the wheels off of, and I felt great, getting my exercise and a load of food, art supplies or materials for some project on my own power, --- not using crude oil. Getting outside for a bit of fresh air and stretching one's legs it great for the brain. I often felt pity for people who would glower in their vehicles having to stop at crosswalks because pedestrians have the right-of-way or worse we had pushed the button on the traffic signal. Speaking of drivers, I had many good conversations walking home from pubs with no worries about how many strong beers I had enjoyed that evening.

As I walked along, my reoccurring daydream was that a system of these trail connected from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. State to State, National Park system and city to city. I imagined groups of kids going cross-country walking, or on skateboards with backpacks, maybe as a coming-of-age journey with former classmates the summer after they graduated. Little shops at restroom stops selling fruit, nuts, and beverages. In Atlanta, one shop on the belt-line sent out a popsicle cart and had a dog watering station. On the East Coast there is the Greenway. Urban walking trails are not only green space, they are large areas to display art. While the US hasn't got a Coast to Coast trail yet. In Canada, there is The Great Trail. This is one of my favorite daydreams because it is well on it’s way to becoming a reality and a super idea to upcycle our roads and old rail lines when we get that underground system of EV tubes built. ☮😀

East Coast Greenway https://www.greenway.org/

Atlanta Georgia https://beltline.org/visit/trails/

The Great Trail Coast to Coast in Canada https://thegreattrail.ca/

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/bike_plan.htm
The Washington Trails or https://www.wta.org/

https://www.traillink.com/activity/bike-trails/

#doodle for Feb. 27, 2018.