Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

This is Part 5 in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers: the current (as of May, 2008) entire nearly 6 miles of the Roanoke River Greenway, Wasena Park, The Skate Park, Smith Park, Piedmont Park, and lots of scenery along the way.

(For a general introduction to the greenway system in Roanoke, you may want to first visit a previous post.)

Distance (Part 5): approx. 1/8 mile

During Part 4, we had actually taken several steps off of the official path of Wiley Drive and The Roanoke River Greenway in order to take a brief excursion at a clearing along the river’s bank.

But now we’re back on a section of the greenway path that once agains overlaps with Wiley Drive.

Second Bridge Crossing on Wiley Drive

After getting back to the paved road and walking a few steps, I reach the second bridge.

Since re-discovering this area recently, I’ve been riding my bicycle along this path for the past several weeks. And from what I’ve seen on several recent visits to this bridge, fisherman must consider this spot to be particularly good.

Since no automobile traffic is permitted in the Southbound lane (left lane in the photo) there should never be a worry about a passing car interferring when casting a fishing line.

Traveling Under the Route 220 Bridge

Having already crossed 2 bridges on Wiley Drive, now we are about to instead go under 2 more as both Route 220 and Franklin Road pass overhead.

As I make the approach to the first bridge for Route 220, the increasingly constant roaring of traffic above tends to drown out the more pleasant murmur of running river water I had grown accustomed to hearing.

And you’ll want to watch your head while walking under the brige, because as I found out some flying wildlife tends to frequent above in the rafters.

Just beyond this bridge I step off to the side and peer down the open path of moving water.

Mill Mountain provides the green foliage-filled background. And In the foreground is Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hopsital as well as the second bridge where Franklin Road passes overhead.

(Note: On his blog, Chris has taken pictures and written about some recent changes to the Roanoke River area around this section, which wasn’t under development during my original visit.)

The Bridge at Franklin Road, and Leaving Wiley Drive

Moving closer to the bridge.

It’s under this bridge where I was able to capture living proof of the aforementioned flying wildlife.

Pigeons I think, otherwise quite friendly and harmless, don’t tend to look below before taking care of their business.

At this point there is only a handful of steps remaining before we veer away from Wiley Drive and continue on our way.

There is a slight incline and some quaint fanfare in the way of decorative boulders that act as informal markers for this point in the journey.

From the beginning in Wasena Park (Part 1) until now we have traveled about 1 1/2 miles. This entire section is usually quite lively with people either playing in the parks, fishing from the river’s banks, or others just taking a stroll.

Next up, an apparent “end” to the greenway but it’s really just a break of the regular paved path. And I’ll show you how to continue along the way.