Biking the Pumpkinvine
OUTDOOR LIVING
Whether biking, running, or walking, people enjoy the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail as a natural corridor between Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana. Beyond crossing roads and a roadway connection, the entire trail is separate from motorized vehicles making it a great space for outdoor recreation. Hop on the Pumpkinvine by parking at any of these locations or joining along the trail: Abshire Park, Goshen, County Road 35 parking GPS: Lat. 41.64348, Lon. -85.73452. County Road 33 parking GPS: Lat. 41.632959, Lon. -85.753455. Trailhead at County Road 22: Lat. 41.656553: Lon. -85.712469. Krider Garden. Middlebury Town Hall. County Road 43 GPS: Lat. 41.68320, Lon. -85.66804. Pack-a-Sak parking lot, Shipshewana While I have hiked, volunteered, and bird watched along the Pumpkinvine Trail, I had never taken bikes out on the trail until recently. I see people on bikes there all the time and decided it was time to try it ourselves. We grabbed a couple of bikes, money in case we made it to ice cream, and water and water bottles. We parked at Abshire Park in Goshen, heading northeast to Middlebury. Luckily, I noticed a friend parked next to us who gave us some tips on biking along the trail. Always bring water. There are plenty of benches to stop and rest, along with trash cans and port-a-potties. She also reminded me that Google Map directions can be converted to biking, showing an approximate time frame, distance, and route to follow. As we biked, I appreciated the regular path markers at every .5 mile. I also loved the tree canopy over most of the trail, the sounds of the birds, noticing seasonal changes, and watching a wild turkey on the sidelines. Additionally, we enjoyed seeing all the people and their four-legged friends spending time together outside. Find out more about the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail at pumpkinvine.org. Friends of the Pumpkinvine host an electronic newsletter, sponsorships, memberships, poetry contest, volunteer opportunities, and annual 6 inMiddlebury Magazine | JULY 2021
dinner. The trail is managed by various groups along the path: Goshen Parks & Recreation, Middlebury Parks Department, Elkhart County Parks, and the Town of Shipshewana. What is your favorite section of the Pumpkinvine? What do you like to do on the Pumpkinvine? Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana. com and hosts the podcast Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area.
Check out the new sculpture along the Pumpkinvine!
Benches, trash cans, and port-a-potties can be found along the trail.
Meander through farmland while staying mostly under the tree canopy on the trail.
Trail markers alert you of the distance traveled.
