Covering Polk, Lake and Sumter Counties
Date: Sunday, March 30, 2008
Temp: 68 - 78 degrees F
Distance: 59.3 Miles
Calories Burned: 2,002
Average Speed: 13.9 Maximum speed: 17.8
Ride Time: 4 hours, 16 minutes and 08 seconds, starting at 07:42 -- finish noon 30-ish.
My goal was to see some deer on this run -- which is the most rural in Florida. I achieved that within the first mile!!!
Cool things I experienced along the way:
* I saw the most wildlife I've seen on any trail so far.
* I saw the least amount of hikers/joggers and NO rollerbladers on this trail
* No hills at all to speak of on this 30 mile run
From the trail's brochure:
The Gen. James A. Van Fleet State Trail is one of Florida's most rural trails.
The trail is named after an American veteran who was a distinguished combat commander in WWI, WWII and the Korean War.
It runs through the Green Swamp, the headwaters for some of Florida's most frequent canoed rivers -- the Withlacoochee, Hillsborough and Peace.
Landscapes include the natural environments associate with the Green Swamp, former citrus lands, cattle rances and wildlife management areas.
Historic mile marker 789 indicates the number of miles to Richmond, Virginia, hub for the railroad line and home to many of the rail workers.
With only one curve in its 29.2 miles, visitors can go slowly and view the wildlife or enjoy it at a brisk pace. the trail has excellent wildlife viewing opportunities between Green Pond Road and Bay Lake Road.
Four trailheads located along the trail provide convenient access. An equestrian trail parallels the length of the paved path.
Hunting is allowed in the Green Swamp and richloam wildlife management areas, found on the western side of the northern half of the trail. The trail remains open during hunting seasons, so trail users should display flourescent orange while using the trail in those areas.
General gun season -- November to January.
Small game season -- January to February.
Spring turkey season -- March to April.
Well... I didn't hear any gunfire! <whew!>
Here's what I did see...
The sun was just rising as I drove to the trail head
The morning fog was lingering
The sunrise was inspiring!
Just after sunrise
Only a mile into my journey, there was a family of 5 deer! They just stopped and stared at me -- long enough to stop, get out my camera, zoom in and shoot... well, take the picture! I leave all hunting up to others!
Some bikers behind me... you can see a marker in the middle of the trail -- more to come on that...
My shadow in the early morning.
Sunrise on the trail
A typical rest stop on the trail. This is in the middle of the Green Swamp
As you near an intersection, which there were very few of, you see signs like these.
This was appropriated placed and was even at an angle following the county line. Serious business!!!
I took this photo (as I do most of them) while riding along. it wasn't until later that I actually read the sign. The bridges north of here were in worse shape, but had no such sign. No one was dismounting... ;-)
This was my first stop along the way -- about 22 miles into the journey, but it was a quick one, as the mosquitoes thought I was their breakfast! Ouch! And I've always called my legs "A mosquito buffet."
Stopped to read this board, about halfway up the trail. As I was reading, I heard a rustling in the brush behind me... and turned around to find this:
A rooster! Wake up!!!
This is a very straight trail
I'm not kidding -- it's straight! There is NO WAY you can get lost on this trail!
Lovely pines -- all in a row.
This was the halfway point -- the end of the trail about 30 miles from the start. Looks like the trail could continue under this road in the future.
Bridge ahead
Pretty flower -- or maybe it's a weed...
A Quail!!! I loved all the wildlife on this trial! Here's more:
There were hundreds of these!
I kept looking for the hare to go with this turtle...
Mooooo!
These recumbant bikes were very popular on this trail... or they were having a convention that day!
No Florida trail would be complete without a set of these.
The Green Swamp
More of the Green Swamp
Like you wouldn't know which way was north or south...
The start and finish of this trail for me... so beautiful...
It's official... 59.3 and the flower I picked along the way for my scrapbook.
Even though this last shot isn't in focus, I'm really glad I brought a better
camera this time! After that ride, I thought it was in focus! %-)