Journeying to the end of Greenway Road, way out west


If you've ever driven around Phoenix, you're aware of Greenway Road, which is a major street. I live in the west valley, in Glendale, and have been on Greenway Road more times than I can count. But it's only recently that I've discovered the Greenway Road less traveled. If you already know about it, you're smiling wisely, if not, please ride along with me, you'll like it.


We'll be riding on my recumbent trike. Yes, I know that there's only room for one, but this is a journey of your imagination. Relax and get comfortable! I'll steer.


We'll be starting out along the northwest edge of the original Sahuaro Ranch, which was 67th Avenue and Peoria. You know, where the Starbucks is now. We're going due north.


I much prefer the road less traveled, and luckily, they're easy to get to. Most people drive on the main streets, which leaves the neighborhood streets very empty, even during rush hour. This is 71st Avenue and Canterbury, and we're still going north.


At 78th Avenue just south of Windrose, we need to stop at Kiwanas Park for a pit stop. The parks in Peoria tend to have restrooms, which I really appreciate. I could stop at a fast food place, but I'd rather not, it seems to break the mood. And at this point I'm really loving the day, and it's in the mid-sixties, without a cloud in the sky.



Once you get north of Thunderbird Road, everything starts to change. This is Banff Lane heading for 81st Avenue. We're going west.



Once we get to 81st Avenue we need to head north to Greenway Road. We'll go past the farm that sells fresh eggs.



And here we are at 81st Avenue and Greenway. If you've ever driven here, you know that it's the end of the road for Greenway going west. But wait, there's more! You can't get there in a car, but we can get there. Hang on, we need to take Skunk Creek. Trust me, I've done this many times before.



We're now on Skunk Creek, and will be going under 83rd Avenue. No, I wasn't riding on the shoulder, I just pulled over to take the photo. There is actually bicycle traffic going by, as we're getting close to Rio Vista Park.


And here's the view of the river, which is called New River. It's actually a riparian wash, like all of the rivers in the Phoenix area. We'll be crossing that bridge.


And here's a view from the bridge, looking north. The water is coming towards us, heading south.


We're on the New River Trail. Note the heat warning - you really don't want to be here when it's hot. It's beautiful today, in February! Once we cross the bridge, and are on the western side of New River, we'll be taking the Greenway Channel Trail. Stay with me!



The Greenway Channel Trail is pleasant and quiet, although not particularly scenic - with the walls to the left, and the water drainage channel to the right. We're going west.


Once you get to the end of the trail, or the beginning if you're going the other way, you're going to get back on Greenway Road. See, I told you!


This is a part of Greenway Road that I'd never seen before, west of 91st Avenue. Here Greenway is not a major street, it's only two lanes, with a bicycle lane. We're still going west. The end of the road is near!


I couldn't resist taking a photo of Greenway Road and Bowling Green Drive, which told me that I wasn't in Glendale, or Peoria, anymore. I was in Sun City. And everything there is different!


The end of my journey was where Greenway Road ends, and becomes 103rd Avenue. I was tempted to plant a flag for my discovery, or maybe give a speech, but I decided instead to go get a cup of coffee.



So let's roll on over to Bobbie's Cafe, and sit on the patio. It's a gorgeous day! I went inside and asked if I could sit on the patio and drink some coffee. They brought me some, and I pondered what a great adventuring I was having!


Then it was back on the Greenway Channel Trail, and back home. Thank you for riding along with me!
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