When I was jumping between Air B&Bs, I kept my bicycle in the back of my Prius. When I was staying in Azalea Park, I went for a bike ride every morning on the Little Econ Trail as a way to start each day. The Little Econ trail is really nice and winds along waterways for miles. Each morning I would see the same man doing tai chi and I would often pass others I had seen on previous bike rides.
While riding on this trail I met James Chonody who is an artist who sets up in one of the picnic shelters as he paints a picture in acrylics and shows off a whole bunch of his paintings. I stopped to sketch him once and we had a pleasant chat. We have been friends ever since.
This area of construction caught my eye. The machinery isn’t right on the trail but in a clearing. I suspect that paring is being improved in the area. There are tennis courts nearby and multiple bathrooms along the river. Perhaps more parking was needed near this trailhead. This isn’t a beautiful scene but it shows that the trail is a work in progress.
In the distance I heard two guys talking about their cars and all the work they put into them. That conversation is what leads me to think this area is for parking the metal machines that dominate the roadways. A local artist and podcaster named Chris Fioravantti used to promote the idea of safe roadways for bicyclists. He was hit by a car in June of 2021 and died. Killer Roads.
I always seen to be attracted to sketching mans need to alter and rip away natures beauty.