Harris Greenway - Harbins to Tribble Mill (Gwinnett County, Georgia)

Failing to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro a week or so ago was something of a blow to my ego. While I know that I made the right decision for my own well-being, it's probably going to be messing with my head for a little while. I decided the best way to work through it is to get some trail miles in. A couple of months back, I hiked once again at the nearby Harbins Park and learned that a new connector trail as recently built to connect it to Tribble Mill Park. I didn't explore it much that day, but knew I would return. And today, is the day. 

Leaving my car at the entrance to Harbins, I start walking the Harris Connector Trail. I know at least some of it is a wide two-lane paved trail, but as I will learn, the entire thing is paved. So, this is more of a walk than a hike, but that's okay and as I'm in town, I decided to finish listening to an audio book. Edward Abbey's 'Desert Solitaire' will accompany me on today's adventure. 

The trail quickly departs the park and I do my best to stay in the shade, though there isn't much to be had. Also, the Joros are out! I find a large number of spider webs adorning the trees and bushes alongside the trail. These large invasive spiders tend to take over this region this time of year, as they have for the last decade or so since their accidental introduction into the ecosystem. They are quite large with a leg-span of up to four inches on a mature female. While they pose no threat to humans, their webs can be quite annoying due to their strength and the wide gaps they are built across. Luckily, I don't run face-first into any this day.

There really isn't much to this trail, it's simply a nice paved trail through the woods that eventually pops out to run parallel to New Hope Rode and past Archer High School before ducking back into the woods once again at Tribble Mill Park. There is a long boardwalk over a marshy area before leaving the woods the first time, but it doesn't really offer much in the way of views.

Entering Tribble Mill Park, there is a noticeable increase in foot traffic, as I'm joined by many other walkers and bikers on the paved trail. I choose to follow a route that circumnavigates Ozora Lake, before returning to the I entered Tribble Mill Park. 

Once I'm on my way back towards Harbins, I start using the grassy areas alongside the trail to relieve a little of the pressure on my knees. It's always easier to walk on earth than pavement. Along the way, I see a large earthworm (nightcrawler) struggling to get across the warm pavement. Seeing the dried up corpses of many of his comrades, I decide to give him a little help and save him from a similar fate. I'm not sure his wriggling around is truly a thank you, but I'll pretend to take it as such. I see a couple of more just a bit further up the trail, but I can't save them all and leave them to their fate.

As the end of the trail nears, the audio book finishes up and arriving back at the parking area where I left my car, I take a minute to use the restroom and wash my face. It's the day before the autumnal equinox, but it's still pretty warm today. Total distance for the 'hike' was 10.4 miles, all on pavement. I likely try something a bit more adventurous next weekend, but if nothing else, I got some exercise in today.