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The perfect path

Ever since I moved away from Madison, I've missed the Military Ridge Trail. .

Every night after work, I'd head down there with my inline skates. It was straight and flat, perfect for my very poor skating skills. And it was convenient -- just down the hill from my apartment in Verona Township.

I was a regular down there for two summers until I moved to Portage. There's a nice bike path in that town along the Wisconsin River, but it wasn't the same. The view of the river was great, but the view of Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen and the rest of Portage wasn't as scenic.

Here in Janesville, there are plenty of great bike paths. I've skated in the Greenbelt and through Palmer. But the Greenbelt path is a little hilly for me. (I'm really, really not good.) And Palmer's usually crowded.

So today I checked out the path that runs between the Rock River and Afton Road.

Perfect!

It's nice and flat and surrounded by trees. It's a little smelly, because the river is flooded. But that's OK. It's woodsy, and the peeping frogs are great. There were walkers and bikers, with and without dogs.

One note: The parking lot across the road from the path to Peace Park is closed, and part of the trail is flooded there. But drive about a half mile south on Afton Road, and there's no problem.

This might be a good time to mention that the first time I tried out my inline skates, it was on the nice, smooth, wide-open cement floor of a feed mill. Where else?

So, if you see an awkward, not very athletic girl skating up and down along the river, please wave. I'll need the encouragement.