Gainesville, Florida

Post date: Feb 9, 2015 4:02:07 PM

Spent 4 days in Gainesville (northern Florida) It's a busy college town (University of Florida), but like most southern towns, just a few miles out and it becomes rural. Large set-back lots, cattle ranches & in this area, pine forests.

Florida is known for lakes, rivers and springs. We visited Silver Springs, a State Park in Ocala County. Water so clear that glass bottom boat rides allow you to see fish & plant life 5 ft to 80 ft below the surface. Sea Hunt TV show & most of the Tarzan movies were filmed here. Used to be a privately owned amusement area, (tourist attraction since 1820) where steamboats came up the river to access this Spring. Then when the Highway system was built along with Disney World in the 60's attendance fell. State took over in the 70's & have done a great job preserving the area. The weather was cool and added to another perfect day.

We went to another State Park, Devil's Millhopper. Besides a beautiful 2-miles nature trail among pine trees, ferns & palms, was a 10,000 year old sink hole, 120 ft deep & 500 ft wide. 236 wooden steps down to the bottom of the hole (yes we did it!) allowed a beautiful view of waterfalls, trees, green ground cover & limestone rock. There was a pond/small lake at the bottom, but often during the summer, the water sinks into the ground and the area becomes dry. Again, the State took over the location that had been neglected. People used to climb the rock area, destroying plants & animal habitats. Now, with the steps and careful preservation, it's definitely worth the visit. We had lunch in a pine tree shaded picnic area. Felt like we were in the Sierras!

We spent one day wine tasting, in a rural part of Florida. Drove through a number of small towns, cattle ranches & horse pastures. Perfect day & great winery. Pond on the property with dozens of Koi and colorful Wood Ducks. Renee said the wine was OK, definitely not California quality, even though they made some wine with imported California grapes.

While we were in Gainesville, the car needed service maintenance (11,000 miles). Quick & easy, completed within an hour. We love our car!

Off to Tampa!