I first, briefly, wrote about the Santiago Creek Bike Trail, in Santa Ana, and Orange, Ca., in March 2009, on my bike blog, then more extensively in the spring of 2010, on this blog, as part of a month long challenge I learned about from my friend, Randy Eady, who sent me a heads up about a fascinating exercise being encouraged by the Kamana Naturalist Training Program, and the Wilderness Awareness School.
It is called the 30-Day Sit Spot Challenge, and was from April 10 to May 10, that year.
I spent all month in the only section of the Creek trail that existed, between Main St. on the west, and Tustin Ave. on the east, and took many photos that accompanied the daily, thought provoking, and personal, essays I wrote, related to the writing prompts for each day.
That adventure had an unexpected ending as, a few days before it ended I had a seizure at work, and it was a few days before I was able to finish the challenge.
The beginning = Can You Sit in the Same Spot for 20 min., for 30 Days Straight?
Recently I discovered that, in the year since I broke my ankle, the city of Orange had, at last extended the trail eastward, along the creek, into Villa Park, connecting with the dirt trail into Santiago Oaks Regional Park. (Map of the full 8 miles of paved trail, and unpaved section, available here)
I sallied forth to check it out, camera in tow. :-D
The trail begins west of this spot, on the other side of Main St., where Broadway dead ends at the Main Place Mall.
This section is also used by cars to reach a parking area near a small playground & picnic area that is overrun with squirrels.
The trail then heads east to Hart Park, and once past the park eventually reaches Tustin Ave.
From Tustin Ave. you ride past the varied natural environment of the trail ecosystem, and Yorba Park, go over a bridge to the other side, and reach another bridge to change sides again, at Grijalva Park.
Depending on the season the creek can get flooded with water.
The varied Duck population, as well as a surprising variety of other water fowl, is a year round part of the scene.
Eventually you reach the Santiago Creek Recharge Basin, and the trail takes you along Prospect, and Bond St.....
With the basin hidden along the Bond St. stretch....
Before viewing it again along Hewes St.
The Hewes section dead ends at Villa Park Ave., where the trail picks up across the street, heading east along Santiago Canyon Rd.
Continue reading "The Cycling Dude and Santiago Creek Bike Trail " »











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