Gainesville is only an hour away and has so many interesting places to visit and good restaurants.
La Chua Trail-Take a long or short walk out on Paynes Praire. It's easy to find if you follow the maps we have left for you. It is my favorite place to take people new to the area. There is usually plenty of free parking, but weekends are more crowded. During the week is a treat. Bring the camera. On a good day the local professional photographers will be out with their masive lenses.
The trail entrance is clearly marked and there are little phamplets there most times. You will go under an old railroad bridge and around some big oaks. Just beyond the intersection of the rails to trails trail there is an outhouse for those desperate enough to use it. Good idea if you have to go as it will be your last chance. Those who plan ahead might stop at the Publix at the intersection of Williston Road and 34th St and use their facilities. Publix is usually a good bet for clean rest rooms.
The first sight is the big sink hole. Take time for a good look as the animals are real and not Disney trained. Good idea to bring some of the binocs in the house. They are old and not to be worried about if they are broken or lost. (We keep the really good ones with us. The really good ones can be purchased in Newberry at Pickett's Weaponary.) The boardwalk trail goes around the sink and gets more interesting as you go.
After the boardwalk trail is the wide and well trod grass trail with canal. Big waterbirds like to hang out at the spillway to catch fish. Good place for photos.
Keep walking for a long way and you will come to an oberservation platform. This is often a good place to see the wild Bison, cattle, wild boar (and sometimes pigglets) and wild horses. Raptors hunt around midday. Sandhill cranes can be seen in winter and early spring.
As you would be observant but not paranoid in the city, be watchful of your path and don't venture into the grass. Nature includes reptiles of all sizes. Alligators can run faster than most humans. Generally they would rather languish in the water and sun on the bank, but a bull gator in rut on the path owns the path and it is wise to let him have it. Though reptiles are not particularly as attached as mamals to their young, I think it wise to keep some distance from baby gator as well as his/her Daddy, because Mommy might be near. Snake lives here too.
On the other hand, people come here daily and it is quite safe.
If you have worked up an appetite on the ride over or on the trail, try my favorite Pizza in Gainesville-Sachels. The lunch special is a slice of pizza with lots of choices for toppings and a good sized salad with lots of yummy stuff and dressing. You can take a look at their menu online if you like.
This could be a complete day for me in Gainesville as the La Chua trail is quite magnificant. However, the Harn Museum and Butterfly Rainforest is another of my favorites and if you have the stamina and desire you could do both.
Don't forget to put on a little perfume or hand lotion if you want the butterflies to lite on you.
Kay
La Chua Trail-Take a long or short walk out on Paynes Praire. It's easy to find if you follow the maps we have left for you. It is my favorite place to take people new to the area. There is usually plenty of free parking, but weekends are more crowded. During the week is a treat. Bring the camera. On a good day the local professional photographers will be out with their masive lenses.
The trail entrance is clearly marked and there are little phamplets there most times. You will go under an old railroad bridge and around some big oaks. Just beyond the intersection of the rails to trails trail there is an outhouse for those desperate enough to use it. Good idea if you have to go as it will be your last chance. Those who plan ahead might stop at the Publix at the intersection of Williston Road and 34th St and use their facilities. Publix is usually a good bet for clean rest rooms.
The first sight is the big sink hole. Take time for a good look as the animals are real and not Disney trained. Good idea to bring some of the binocs in the house. They are old and not to be worried about if they are broken or lost. (We keep the really good ones with us. The really good ones can be purchased in Newberry at Pickett's Weaponary.) The boardwalk trail goes around the sink and gets more interesting as you go.
After the boardwalk trail is the wide and well trod grass trail with canal. Big waterbirds like to hang out at the spillway to catch fish. Good place for photos.
Keep walking for a long way and you will come to an oberservation platform. This is often a good place to see the wild Bison, cattle, wild boar (and sometimes pigglets) and wild horses. Raptors hunt around midday. Sandhill cranes can be seen in winter and early spring.
As you would be observant but not paranoid in the city, be watchful of your path and don't venture into the grass. Nature includes reptiles of all sizes. Alligators can run faster than most humans. Generally they would rather languish in the water and sun on the bank, but a bull gator in rut on the path owns the path and it is wise to let him have it. Though reptiles are not particularly as attached as mamals to their young, I think it wise to keep some distance from baby gator as well as his/her Daddy, because Mommy might be near. Snake lives here too.
On the other hand, people come here daily and it is quite safe.
If you have worked up an appetite on the ride over or on the trail, try my favorite Pizza in Gainesville-Sachels. The lunch special is a slice of pizza with lots of choices for toppings and a good sized salad with lots of yummy stuff and dressing. You can take a look at their menu online if you like.
This could be a complete day for me in Gainesville as the La Chua trail is quite magnificant. However, the Harn Museum and Butterfly Rainforest is another of my favorites and if you have the stamina and desire you could do both.
Don't forget to put on a little perfume or hand lotion if you want the butterflies to lite on you.
Kay
