West Orange Trail
STATS:
Date: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Temp: 62 - 80 degrees F
Distance: 46.5 Miles
Calories Burned: 1,842
Average Speed: 12.9
Ride Time: 3 hours, 35 minutes and 1 second
Cool things I experienced along the way:
* A cardinal hopping in my path, then
flying off.
* The first smell of orange blossoms this
season.
* A small child on a bike saw me getting on my
bike from a rest stop. He said, "Be careful!" I said,
"You be careful too, and have fun!" He replied. "I
don't have to be careful -- I have training wheels!" That made me
laugh and smile for about 2 miles!
Taken
from the official website for the West Orange Trail...
Overview:
Undertaken
by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department, the West Orange Trail
was funded with a combination of state funds (Preservation 2000) for the
acquisition and preservation of the land. The county made an outlay of funds
for the project development, which was subsequently reimbursed by Federal
ISTEA funds. Five communities were involved in the planning in order to ensure
that residents felt comfortable with such details as the trail's alignment
with private property, and the preservation of favorite trees.
This
world-class rail-trail, which travels through the communities of Winter Garden
and Apopka, offers a rewarding experience and excellent facilities for the
visitor. While all rail-trails function as public spaces, the West Orange
Trail takes this notion a step further by creating trailheads that are divided
into "stations" and "outposts." Stations offer full
amenities such as restroom facilities, water fountains and benches while an
outpost trailhead may simply offer access to the trail. The Project for Public
Spaces, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating public places that
build communities, notes that on the West Orange Trail, the "uniquely
designed signs at the entrance to each community give trail users a sense that
they have entered a new community and a new place." This sense of place
in a rapidly developing area makes the West Orange Trail a particularly
valuable asset to this area of central Florida.
Among
the highlights along the trail are a xeriscape/butterfly garden about a mile
east of the Oakland Outpost, the Winter Garden Historical Museum and some
picturesque views of Lake Apopka. The trail also provides access to and from
Clarcona Horseman's Park, offering equestrians a staging area for their visit.
The constant changes in scenery and the relaxed atmosphere of the towns along
the way make this a great ride.
The
West Orange Trail runs through both suburban and urban areas and is used by
40,000 to 50,000 people per month. The trail has won several awards, including
one from the National Department of Transportation as one of 25 of America's
Best Enhancement Projects. Someday the West Orange Trail will be a part of the
planned 200-mile regional connection known as the Central Florida Loop. The
nearby trails that the West Orange will connect to are the Lake Minneola
Scenic Trail to the west and Rock Springs Kelly Park to the north. Funding for
this rail-trail came from both the federal government and the state of
Florida.
My journey began at the 'end'! ;-)
Pedestrian bridge over SR 436 in Apopka
View of 436 in Apopka from bridge
Railroad Crossing. I heard the train about 3 minutes
before I arrived here.
Nice of them to welcome me!
Quaint downtown area. Old caboose, clock pavilion and
the trail goes right down the center of the street! Just under the clock!
Yep... that's me in downtown Winter Garden!
The fountain in the square.
Oakland. In the opening above is the water tower.
Did I mention this was a dinky camera??
This is the trailhead for the Lake Apopka Loop -- a hiking
trail only. No bikes allowed!
Did I mention that there's no real viewfinder on the camera??
This bridge takes you over the Florida Turnpike!
The Florida Turnpike view from the bridge
The Trailhead at Killarney Station
Okay... I went too far today. This is for the Lake
County Trail, which I'll be doing later. They've just connected the two,
so I took a 1.5 mile ride into it. Many more hills, so that one will be a
challenge! Fun that they have the GPS coordinates on the markers!
Did I mention that you can't 'check your work' with this
camera. I've decided to take a 'real' camera next time, no matter how much
weight it adds.
But this is funny... It's Nixon Street (no comment)
And... the street is NOT paved, but the Trail IS paved.
Now that's just not right! <giggle>
Yep... have to take a real camera. This is very funny
too.
Evidently a Seminole fan, 'giving it' to the Gators in a
memorial to a friend.
I'll go back and take a better picture!
This is the new City Hall in Winter Garden currently under
construction, which reminds me of a miniature version of Union Terminal in
Cincinnati -- complete with an art deco look.
Yep... need the other camera...
Oh... now I know where I am!!!
Another Station along the way home...
It's official! 46.5 miles! Whew!
As you can see... another gorgeous day in paradise for riding!