Frank Goes to Tunnel Hill Bike Trail

Franks adventure to Tunnel Hill State Trail started off a little rough. From SIU the car ride is 35 miles to the trail, however it is much worth the drive. My home is on the way to the trail, so we stopped to introduce him to my new kitten, Muffin, that did not like him very much. After he was fed, we took out on the trail for a walk to take pictures of this beautiful bike trail. My daughter made the trip with us, and for a six year old turned out to be a great photographer! She has been to the bike trail all of her life because it is only three miles from our home.
If the 45-miles of the trail could be seen in cross- sections, it would taper to its lowest points at either end, with Harrisburg and Karnak the lowest point and Tunnel Hill having the highest point. This point being just high enough to for the railroad builders to decide to tunnel through it, rather than go over it. The result is a comfortable 2 percent grade for the length of the trail. In 1929 a portion of the tunnel collapsed and this landmark was shortened by 300 feet, now 543 feet long.

During the 19th century the trail was a railroad that was a part of the cross country railway system. Among the developers was a Civil War General, Ambrose Burnside. Burnside was best remembered for his facial hair now called "sideburns. This railway system transported passengers, coal, salt, wood products, and orchard grown peaches and apples.