An aerial view of Metro Detroit looks pretty much like any other city. Sprawling tracts of homes, strip malls, busy highways spread across several counties. But moving in closer, you may be able to see the network of bicycle trails that are a legacy from earlier short line railroads. The railroads are gone, but the right-of-way for pedestrians, bicyclists and in some cases, horseback riders remain.
The trails around the Metro area show an amazing diversity geographically. One course follows the Clinton River along its winding path through the woods. Another wends its way northeast past Romeo, Armada and Richmond through orchards, pastures and forests.
But a bicycle trail through West Bloomfield? Come on, how scenic could that be? Well, with the help of an area resident, we discovered one of Michigan’s best kept secrets. She took us on a micro-jaunt with a number of surprising side trips that give the trail an amazing diversity of interest.
The West Bloomfield Trail begins just west of Telegraph. The trail connects with the Clinton River trail to the east with a brand new concrete pedestrian bridge that spans Telegraph just north of Orchard Lake Road. The 380-foot-long bridge permits pedestrians and bicyclists to cross Telegraph safely and will undoubtedly reduce pedestrian deaths along that stretch of Telegraph.
Heading eastward from the bridge takes a biker along the Clinton River Trail past Pontiac and ultimately to Rochester. That might account for the fact that the Friends of the Clinton River Trail Organization were among the prime movers in getting the bridge built.
The charming village of Sylvan Lake lies at the western end of the bridge. They call themselves the prettiest city in the State of Michigan. A bike tour around the lake on a perimeter street closed to summer auto traffic affirms their self acclaim. The houses assume a variety of shapes and sizes, some dating back to early last century. The lake itself sparkles in the crystal light of one of the clearest, most comfortable days this summer.
Before returning to the trail, we take another side trip into a verdant retreat tucked away on a side street just off Orchard Lake Road. Named by Garden Design Magazine as one of the top 25 garden stores in America, Detroit Garden Works was featured this spring in Martha Stewart Living Magazine.
A bright and colorful array of flowers, tree and shrubs surrounds the Works’ charming and quirky building. Inside and out, a collection of intriguing objets d’art from around the world accents a tranquil botanic setting. Garden containers, furnishing, accessories, ornaments and sculpture destined for home gardens are everywhere.
The Bloomfield Trail picks up a hundred yards down the road and leads us through a passage of overhanging trees into Oakland County’s lakes district. As the trail passes Orchard Lake, we digress once again, this time onto the campus of St. Mary’s Preparatory Academy.
A collection of venerable old buildings sprinkled with a few very new buildings makes up St. Mary’s campus. All lie shaded beneath a towering canopy of Michigan hardwoods and conifers.
Our ride takes us past the august Academic Center building, originally the Academic Building of the Michigan Military Academy. The building was constructed in 1891. Through the years many students attended their classes in this citadel, folks such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of Tarzan, and Frank Joslyn Baum, whose father wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
A bit further along the walkways we come upon “The Castle.” This ten-room house was built in 1858, the only building on the grounds before the Academy was founded. Judge Joseph Tarr Copeland constructed his home here when he retired from the Michigan Supreme Court.
In 1872, the Castle was converted into a hotel, but with the panic of 1873, it was forced to close. Captain Joseph Sumner Rogers bought the place in 1877 and incorporated it as the Michigan Military Academy.
A couple of years later, Father Leopold Moczygemba, a Polish Franciscan priest received a nod from Pope Leo XIII to setup a seminary in the United States. Ultimately the seminary, first established in East Detroit, moved to the grounds of the former Michigan Military Academy on Orchard Lake.
The seminary reshuffled in 1927 to form three schools, SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, St. Mary’s College and St. Mary’s Preparatory, each with a four-year program. Through the years, the American Polish community has helped expand the schools with new buildings including a library, dormitory, dining hall and chapel.
As a highlight of our visit to this historic and scenic campus alongside Orchard Lake, a visiting hawk lands on a nearby branch and stands vigil over us for several minutes. Beyond, across the dancing waters on the lake, Apple Island stands vigil. Formed sometime during the last ice age, the island boasts a history of myths and legend. Allegedly the island is the last resting place of Chief Pontiac.
Back on the trail we peddle toward the western trailhead and into a natural Eden that insulates us from distant erratic suburban activity. In the heart of this 160 acre West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve, the active great blue heron rookery abides with a luminous green glimmer.
Our timing is a month or two off and herons have deserted the glowing jade swamp where they normally nest. The herons begin courting in March and they nest until the young depart in early July. This calls for another visit late next spring to check out the nearly 100 nests that inhabit the area. Perhaps we’ll sight some of the other wildlife that resides here as well; deer, fox, coyote, turkey vultures, hawks and osprey.
From the air, Metro Detroit may look like the usual urban sprawl. But when you take a micro-jaunt, a leisurely ride along the trails, you may be surprised at what you encounter along the way, especially with a knowledgeable and gracious local guide,
No comments:
Post a Comment