Ozaukee Interurban Bike Trail

 Today John and I rode the Ozaukee Interurban bike trail.

We start out at Veteran's Park in Grafton.

When we started at around 10:30 the heat and humidity had not set in yet.

By the end of our ride, it was 89 degrees and humid.

We had not ridden this trail for a few years but remembered it as being a bit hilly

My memory was good, although there were some great improvements made to the trail since our last ride.

 The biggest improvement was this bike/foot bridge built over I-43.  The last time we rode, we had to ride over the highway on a regular road.

This bridge made it much easier and one would think safer, too, but as we were riding over the bridge a golf ball came flying out of nowhere and landed on the bridge near us.

We did remember seeing a golf course along the trail, but it seemed really far from this bridge.  Maybe an enraged golfer.

At any rate, we enjoyed the new trail and bridge.

 The trail is paved which is always a plus in our book and quite well travelled.

John and I do not wear helmets, totally our choice and we certainly respect those of you who choose to wear one

On this trail it seemed like everyone we met was wearing a helmet.

For a bit, I actually thought it might be a law.

I had never seen so many people actually wearing helmets on any other trail, but as the day wore on we noticed more and more people without helmets.

Must be the die hard cyclists ride early in the day.

 It is only about 8 miles from Grafton to Port Washington and you are rewarded with this beautiful view of Lake Michigan

Here I am on the sandy beach.

The trail is downhill or at least level all the way to Port Washington, but you know what that means, uphill on the way back.

 There are huge bluffs all along the beach.

 A view of the rock wall on the way to the beach.

 We found this cute park with a fish on the playground equipment.

I thought the girls would enjoy this photo.

 Here is our view from our lunch at the Dockside Deli where we enjoyed some yummy sandwiches and iced teas.

 Before heading back, we walked out on the rocks for a bit.

It would be a fun place for kids to walk.  I know the girls would love it.

It is safe enough with the rope to hold on to if needed, but the rocks do have cracks between them which adds some adventure.

 Like I said, what goes down must come up.

So it is with trails, the ride back to Grafton is pretty much uphill, but it was not that bad.

If it had not been so hot and humid I think it would have been just fine, but that humidity always gets to me.

This part of the trail was a nice gift though.  We called it the canopy because the trees touched over the top the trail and made a shaded cover for us and it was so nice and cool in that area.

We were also able to see some cows up close and personal along the way.

 

All in all, a very fun day on the trail.

I would recommend this trail to anyone especially families since the path is wide enough to accommodate trailers, training wheels, and tag a longs.

There are many bathrooms available both in Grafton and Port Washington as well as many good food establishments and lots to see and do.

I am hoping to be able to do this trail with Courtney and family since I think they would really enjoy it.