Wildflowers, Leaves & Rain - Nature Coast Trail

Went back to the Nature Coast Trail, starting in Fanning Springs, riding to Cheifland. A very stormy looking sky! However, we've learned in Florida to go ahead and do things because it may or may not rain where you are. We had a nice, fast ride to Chiefland. There were beautiful wildflowers along the trail, especially approaching Chiefland. There were also falling leaves from the oaks everywhere lining the trail and coming down like snow. We completed the round trip, 18 miles, and wanted to go a few more. So we started toward Old Town, and got to the Suwannee trestle bridge. It started sprinking so we turned around to go back at a very rapid pace. Randy was running short of breath so we stopped 2 1/2 miles from the end at a covered bench. As we waited, the rain only got harder and harder. After about 20 minutes it let up a little so on we went. We never rode so hard! It was cold! It was pouring on us and it was very hard to see. We finally made it back to the car and.....of course...the rain stopped!! All the trails we've ridden on thus far have had nice clean bathrooms. However, the facility at Chiefland was NOT!

24 Miles today
352 miles thus far

Withlacoochee State Trail - Southern Third

The final leg of the 46 mile Withlacoochee State Trail! We didn't know that there was parking at the very southern end at US301. We drove to Ridge Manor where there are rest rooms, a drinking fountain, picnic tables and ample parking. From there we went 6 miles south to the end at US301. Then up north again past Ridge Manor and on to Lake Townsend for a 31 mile round trip!
A hot 85 degree day--but oh so windy! There were times I had to stand up to pedal against a very strong head wind--alot of effort expended! The trail is very flat and nice. Very rural and mostly sunny. We saw a gopher tortoise, raccoon, and sandhill crane. This section probably had the least crossroads of any of the trails thus far. We didn't see restaurants nearby the trail, so when we were finished we drove from Ridge Manor 10 miles south on US301 and had a wonderful dinner of cuban marinated pork, yellow rice, black beans and plantains at Matter of Taste in Dade City--a very nice place, especially upstairs, in a pretty small city.

31 Miles today!
328 miles thus far.