19th Annual Rails to Trails Bike Ride

So what did you do this weekend? We went to the flea market, ate a lot of junk food, took the boat out for a photo shoot (cocktail cruise), rode 14 miles at the 19th Annual Rails to Trails Bike Ride,  and took a couple naps.   How about you?

Yeah, the highlight was the bike ride held at the Apopka Trailhead in Inverness.   We’ve been training for the event since the beginning of May by riding 5-mile sections of the trail and we actually did experience 40 miles out of the 46–from the very northern end at Gulf Junction all the way to Ridge Manor.

I had been wanting to do the annual bike ride for several years but was a little leery of that many bicycles in one place. You know that when one goes down, the rest of them tumble after.  Just like dominoes.  And I’ve known a few people that have broken collar bones in those types of accidents.  But, like I said, we’ve been training plus I paid the entrance fee so off we went very very early Sunday morning.   So, besides the concern about a bicycle pile-up, I was wondering where all 1,000 riders were going to park in Inverness. But both of my worries were unnecessary.  We immediately found a parking spot and there was never a mass of bicycles since there was not really a set starting time.  Riders just showed up between 7 am and 9 am and rode.  

There were plenty of volunteers registering people so we had no line to wait in.  My name was marked for one of the random door prizes. Yippee!  While I was hoping for one of the two bikes in the giveaway, mine was a $5 gift certificate to Decor Cafe.  

19th Annual Rails to Trails Bike Ride
Starting Line? Doesn’t look like anything is going on here!
Strange recumbant bike
New model of bike?

There were five different distances to choose from.  We picked the shortest–14 miles. And I just want to say that 14 miles is really long.  I think I’m in pretty good shape for a person that isn’t an athlete and once I hit ten miles I was kind of like, are we there yet?

Since there was no mass start and no starting line, I was a bit confused about what direction we were supposed to head.  We decided to go south to Floral City because we know this section is shaded and relatively flat.

When we made it to Floral City there was a sag stop with water, sports drinks, and various snacks. I’m all about sag stops.  They had fig newtons–one of my favorite cookies in the whole world! No one seemed to be in any hurry and most of the riders stopped and socialized.  We took some pictures of a really nice couple and they returned the favor!

Here we are in Floral City
Here we are in Floral City.  Don’t I look happy?  I’m thinking about those fig newtons.
Shirt for the ride.
How cute is this shirt. Complete with a cooter, gator, and whooping crane!

 

recumbant bikes
These riders were headed further south.

Floral City was our 7-mile turnaround point and we headed back to the trailhead where we enjoyed more snacks (mmmmm, chocolate cake) and then checked out the vendors.  We were headed home by 9:30 but if we had rode one of the longer distances, we could have stayed for lunch which was served from 11 am to 2 pm.

It was an absolutely beautiful morning with perfect temperatures.  The bike ride was well-managed and very organized. The proceeds go towards maintenance of the trail. Most of the riders were happy to be there and very friendly. A delightful way to spend a lovely Sunday morning.  The more time I spend in Inverness, the more I like it.

Back to the trail and some other stuff

The government shutdown has hit Old Homosassa!

Salt Marsh Trails
This gate has NEVER been open! So I’m not sure how they could close it?
Government shutdown on Salt Marsh trails
This is what the small signs say!

 

Sad news.  Smokin’ Mos, our favorite breakfast place, closed down.  We’d heard rumors but refused to believe.  Then we heard more rumors and today there’s a new sign up saying soon to open, The Starting Line.  Over the last decade that little place has been the Yulee Café, Patriotic Café, Pepper Café, and Smokin’ Mos.  Perhaps we should put bets on how long this place lasts?

And bike trail news…..we did manage to squeeze in one more bicycle ride on the Withlacoochee State Trail.  We had a small section from just north of Istachatta to the swamp north of the Ridge Manor trail head to cover.  Plus that 6.1 mile section from Ridge Manor to Trilby.  (That’s not going happen anytime soon since the big bike ride is this Sunday! )

So we headed to Lake Townsen Park trail head. Little did we know that Lake Townsen is actually a Hernando County park.  County parks in Florida are dog haters.  Michelle, Maggie and I got kicked out of Tom Varn park in Brooksville because one of us had paws.  (We told the park attendant that it was un-American.)  Dogs are allowed in state parks but you have to get from the county parking lot to the trail. Breakin’ the law!

No Pets Sign

Since we aren’t allowed into any county parks, we didn’t know that Hernando County parks post sexual predator signs and pictures!  We think that’s a good idea!

Predator Sign

Maggie in SUV
Here’s Maggie looking for the park attendant.

So we rode south to the swamp (saw no zombies or swamp creatures) and turned around and rode north to Istachatta.

Post Office Sign in IstachattaThis bunny was at the general store at Istachatta.

Bunny at general store in Istachatta
Help Me!

We are all ready for the big ride on Sunday morning.

Here’s a picture from yesterday morning.  Whenever there’s a tropical depression hanging out there in the gulf, we get some real pretty mornings.

Good Morning Sun!
Good Morning Sun!

Have a great weekend!

 

National Alpaca Farm Days

We had such a great weekend.  Beside the weather being wonderful, we were really fortunate to have three of our grandkids here.  Which was extra special since it was also National Alpaca Farm Days. While we like to attend local events, going to an alpaca farm is definitely best experienced with small children in tow. We had done this once before when the two of the kids (both girls) were very young and they didn’t remember much about the experience.  Now the girls are five and six and have a little brother who is two–perfect ages to check out these adorable creatures.  What’s really great about this age is they don’t argue about our destination–we just strap them in their car seats and away we go!

Alpaca at Alpaca Magic USA

There are several alpaca farms in central Florida with four of them in Citrus County–Alpaca Magic USA, Classic Alpacas, Funny Farm Alpacas, and Suri HIlls Alpacas. We went to Alpaca Magic USA because it’s the closest alpaca farm to us. (Distance is always important with small loud children trapped in the back seat!) It is also one of the largest alpaca farms in Florida–the place on Grover Cleveland Blvd with the sign “Our Alpacas are Outstanding in their Field”. We always thought that was clever.

Alpaca at Alpaca Magic USA

There are alpacas all over the place and most of them are friendly–especially when the picnic table you are sitting at is covered with hay. There were a lot of children at the open house and the alpacas were a bit frightened of them but our grandchildren were just as frightened of the animals, so we just sat at the table and let the alpacas come to us–and they did.

Alpaca at Alpaca Magic USA

While alpacas are the main feature, the farm has more to offer. After feeding the adorable creatures, the kids passed up the complimentary open house hot dogs and headed for the farm store. The store is stocked with many items made with the alpacas’ fleece and the kids were happy to discover finger puppets within Grandma’s price range.

After shopping, we went to the Magic Garden which has a nice selection of healthy plants for purchase. There was also a fairy garden which the girls loved.

Fairy Garden at Alpaca Magic USA

When we were back home, they picked out a spot in our yard to put their very own fairy garden. (So now grandpa has to make some fairy houses and grandma needs to find some cheap fairies at the thrift stores!) The girls also decided that their horse tire swing was now an alpaca and named it Ginger Snap. Yeah, I think they had a good time!

Alpaca at Alpaca Magic USA
Our renamed tire swing alpaca, Ginger Snap

Our hosts were friendly and eager to answer all questions. The alpacas are charming and I’d like to take one home but that probably wouldn’t go well with the neighbors.  So I’ll just return to an alpaca farm. Alpaca Magic USA is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm. A fun Citrus County destination for both adults and children.

Alpaca at Alpaca Magic USA