Gainesville Hawthorne State Trail

There were a few folks pedaling on the trail this morning and several working. There seems to be a lot of progress on the Gainesville end leading up to their official opening of Depot Park this coming Monday. Here is a shot of the deck replacement underway on the prairie overlook.

Nature Coast State Trail

Even on the hottest days, there is just enough shade here and there to make this trailside arugula really hit the spot. Squeezed 41 miles in before the forecast pop ups closed in.

Nature Coast State Trail

Mark, Jerry, and Pete joined me for a ride out to the Suwannee and a bit of a linger down the shady trail segment below Fanning Springs this morning. We played our cards just right and finished up before it got too hot. Counted at least a dozen rabbits on the Trenton segment and found the sturgeon are already jumping this season.

Palatka Lake Butler State Trail

Absolutely perfect easterly breeze and a sprinkling of white puffies on my west to east and back test ride for a newly installed replacement rear derailleur.
Twin Lakes Sports Complex has a new coat of paint on the restrooms and the trail, as usual, was clear and clean and thick with happy birds.

Nature Coast State Trail

Using Fanning Springs State Park as a "park n ride" base camp, I rode down to Chiefland and stopped for lunch with shady parking at the 19 98 Grille. Had a little trouble with the rear derailleur so went back to the park to make some adjustments. Then set out for Cross City and had a strong tailwind behind me on the last leg closing the ride with 51 miles.

Storm Damage

Took a spin on the Suwannee River Greenway at Branford this afternoon and encountered quite a bit of evidence lingering from last week's thunderstorms. Detoured via River Bend Road on the return trip and enjoyed my usual fox squirrel sighting.

Music Everywhere!

Mark Scarborough played in The Jades and I was in Styrophoam Soule and we are proud to be able to enjoy reading about those times being remembered in Marty's book. Then we pedaled 30 miles and shared a great lunch! Rock on, Y'all!