Pleasant Walks and Drives About Ann Arbor
Drive "C" or Geddes Avenue Drive
Start at the southeast corner of Forest Hill Cemetery on Geddes Avenue from this point go east, and for about eighty rods there is a fine view to the left of the Huron valley, including the Cedar Bend avenue or Boulevard and the fine scenery on the north side of the Huron River. The banks on each side of the Huron River rise here to about the height of two hundred feet above the level of the river and their uneven surface presents an interesting and pleasant view of fields, forests and farm houses. This road passes through the fine peach orchards that cover the hills on both sides of the Huron for several miles each side of Ann Arbor. The small fruit farms are numerous and well cultivated. About a mile and a quarter from the cemetery going east at the residences of Dr. Nichols and Mr. Woodruff, the road makes a short turn to the left and goes down a rather steep hill. It is well to notice the fine view down the river just after you make this turn to the left. You have view of the river, Geddesburg dam and the hills and valleys covered with beautiful farms and fine forests. After making the turn, you pass down the hill, crossing the Michigan Central railroad and on to the bridge as the scenery is fine both above and below. The river is lined with fine elms and willows and presents a pretty view. After crossing the bridge you go about a quarter of a mile to the main road running east and west on the north side of the Huron River: turn here to the right and go east about a mile, then take the first road to the left next to the Botsford farm. On this road you will pass a small country cemetery on the top of the hill and along a very interesting road with timber and bushes on both sides coming up the track. Go on this road about a mile north, and then turn to the left on the first road crossing this road and go west towards Ann Arbor. This is one of the most interesting of the country roads about our city, if you have a reliable team and a good driver. There are two very steep hills on this road before you reach the river road. The track of the road is quite narrow between the high ground in places that might make it difficult to pass teams, but I think that one could get through without much difficulty as there is not a large amount of travel on this road. The scenery for two miles is among the finest that I have ever seen. You strike the river road near the old McMaster farm, then pass along to the south end of Cedar Bend avenue or Boulevard if you have time and return to the city on Broadway through Lower town, or you can keep on the river road, cross the Huron at the bridge near the south end of the Boulevard and come into the city on Fuller Street to State Street, then up State Street into the city.
There can be several modifications of Drive "C" made that will prove pleasant and interesting. Instead of crossing the river at the foot of the hill near Dr. Nichols' and Mr. Woodruff's places, you can turn to the right at the foot of the hill and go along the Michigan Central Railroad to Geddesburg, then cross the Huron River on the bridge there and return to Ann Arbor by the north river road. The drive is about seven miles.
There is also another change that can be made. After crossing the bridge at the foot of the hill near Dr. Nichols' and Mr. Woodruff's. When you reach the north river road, you can turn to the left and return to Ann Arbor on this river road which is very pleasant indeed, and makes a shorter drive. This drive is about five miles.
If one wishes to take a longer drive, another can be readily made. After you turn from the north river road north at Mr. Botsford's, instead of turning to the left on the first road that crosses this, you can keep on north about a mile further and strike the Ann Arbor and Dixboro Road, then turn to the left and come into Ann Arbor on this road, which is Broadway extended northeast. This last modification will give a drive of about nine miles.
There is a fourth modification of Drive "C." Instead of crossing the river at the foot of the hill near Dr. Nichols' and Mr. Woodruff's places, you can turn to the right at the foot of the hill and go along the Michigan Central Railroad, over the narrow pike through the swamp, until you come to a road branching to the right, turn to the right on this road and you will come to a natural embankment about fifty feet high, about four rods wide on the top and about a quarter of a mile long. Probably a glacier dump that seems to have been left here especially for this road, and it looks very much like a railroad embankment made for railroad purposes. You can pass on this road about two miles to the middle of Ypsilanti road, or the first road turning to the right, and come into Ann Arbor on Washtenaw avenue.