We chose to stay in Inglis because it is also on the Cross Florida Greenway Trail and near the Gulf of Mexico. The RV park we stayed at, Nature Coast Landings, was located right next to the trail. We just had to ride our bikes out the driveway, turn right and pedal til we hit the Old Barge Canal. This portion of the trail (also called the Withlacoochee Bay Trail / Felburn Park Trailhead) ran east for just about one-half mile. To the west, it ran 4.5 miles and here is how it dead ended:
Not a bad view, eh? We rode our bikes along this trail at sunset both nights we were here. Sunsets on the Gulf are beautiful. Ok, so we're partial to sunsets and sunrises over water.
Along the trail there were several fishing pavilions on the Old Barge Canal side, and then observation towers on the marsh side of the trail. Back in the 1930's Florida had decided to build a canal across Central/North Florida
(more history) but it was eventually deauthorized by Pres.Nixon. It's great that all the land originally designated for this canal was preserved and is now available for public use.
The trail was bordered with palms, cypress, oaks, and different types of shrubs and wildflowers. This grass radiated pink with the sun behind it, but was more purple otherwise. We saw racoons and an armadillo on the trail in addition to many birds.
The second night we stayed as long as we could to watch the sunset. The problem was that the park closed at sunset. We waited til this point, and then raced back down the trail. They had already closed the gates, but we were able to ride between some rocks. Since it is such a prime spot to watch the sunset, we think the park should stay open til one hour past sunset to give people time to exit after enjoying the beautiful scenery at that hour.
Not a bad view, eh? We rode our bikes along this trail at sunset both nights we were here. Sunsets on the Gulf are beautiful. Ok, so we're partial to sunsets and sunrises over water.
Along the trail there were several fishing pavilions on the Old Barge Canal side, and then observation towers on the marsh side of the trail. Back in the 1930's Florida had decided to build a canal across Central/North Florida (more history) but it was eventually deauthorized by Pres.Nixon. It's great that all the land originally designated for this canal was preserved and is now available for public use.
The trail was bordered with palms, cypress, oaks, and different types of shrubs and wildflowers. This grass radiated pink with the sun behind it, but was more purple otherwise. We saw racoons and an armadillo on the trail in addition to many birds.
The second night we stayed as long as we could to watch the sunset. The problem was that the park closed at sunset. We waited til this point, and then raced back down the trail. They had already closed the gates, but we were able to ride between some rocks. Since it is such a prime spot to watch the sunset, we think the park should stay open til one hour past sunset to give people time to exit after enjoying the beautiful scenery at that hour.
2 comments:
It is so exciting for us when you two get on the road. You find such wonderful places to explore that we just add to our growing list of places we want to visit. Keep finding these beautiful bike trails. We appreciate your "work"!
Marilyn
Very nice post here. I'll be riding the Withlacoochee Bay Trail around 3-14-12, and the Nature Coast Landings RV Park will be my landmark to get to the trailhead. I can't wait to ride this. Enjoy and all the best.
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