You could grapple for the last parking spot at Rocky Neck State Park, or, you could go to a place of no significance and have it all to yourself.

The word “podunk” has come to mean “a fictitious, insignificant, out-of-the-way town,” but originally it was only associated with the Podunk who lived along the river of the same name.

I suspect that when I write about a place that has gotten little-to-no press in the last thirty years, there are readers who think I am writing fiction.

Decide for yourself if this is imaginary: the ability to bike from just north of the Bulkeley Bridge in East Hartford to the Bissell Bridge in South Windsor without needing to be on a street for more than one mile, and those streets are not death roads like Route 5.

It’s like when people ask for a sign, they get a sign, and then ignore it because they expect something more grandiose.

This series of trails has signs, and none of them demand that people refrain from trespassing. The trails are mostly clear of vegetation, but that does not mean they are level or easy. There are other hurdles to clear like streams, downed trees, and steep drops.

From across the Connecticut River you may have heard echos of its use and not realized the source of the noise: dirt bikes and ATVs.

What mythical place is this, where people ride ATVs and dirt bikes on trails in Greater Hartford?

You won’t find any signs encouraging or discouraging specific activities on the premises. It’s like the land that time forgot, or the land that forgot it was located in Connecticut, where voters are promised an actuary on every block.

The paths cross numerous properties– some public, some private. There is nothing to prevent anyone from walking or biking these trails. . . nothing except their inability to get curious and attempt to find the land.