Nature Coast

Places and faces in the Nature Coast of Florida

On the Road to Yankeetown

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Continuing our road trip after visiting the Cross Florida Barge Canal, we drove north to Inglis, then west to Yankeetown.

Our first destination was the Gulf of Mexico.  The day had started out foggy then the sun came out, but as we got closer to the Gulf, the fog started to roll back in.  Then, along with the fog, the no-see-ums rolled in, too.

On the road to Yankeetown

On the road to Yankeetown

On the road to Yankeetown

On the road to Yankeetown
So much NO!

When we turned back the sky started to turn blue again.  And there’s the Crystal River Power Plant!  That’s how we know we’re on the Nature Coast!

On the road to Yankeetown

Headed to “downtown” Yankeetown.  We came here one other time for dinner at Ike’s but it was dark and not a good sightseeing time.  It’s actually a pretty town with some nice houses.  A lot of “for sale” signs–just like the rest of Florida.

Here’s some more NO:

On the road to Yankeetown

On the road to YankeetownThe Withlacoochee River runs through the town.

On the road to Yankeetown

Withlacoochee

This was just a quick trip so we didn’t get to check out Yankeetown quite as much as we wanted.  We’ll be back to do more exploring and perhaps some hiking in the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve.

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

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We drove from Homosassa to Houston and back numerous times over the years and went over the Cross Florida Barge Canal each time.  Watched the progress of replacing the original two-lane bridge; wondered about the trail; but never stopped.  Since we are always looking for a good place to ride our bikes and the day was changing from foggy and dreary to a bright sunshine convertible kind of day, we took a road trip north.

First stop was the Felburn Trailhead.

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

Have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.  Three good signs for us:

It’s paved (don’t want to flip the bike on sand);

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge CanalRoad Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

 

 

 

 

 

there’s a restroom (yippee for me);

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

and Maggie can join us!

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

The Cross Florida Barge Canal was originally intended to connect the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean–an environmental nightmare.  It’s now a protected green belt corridor named after the leader of the opposition movement to the canal–Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

After leaving the trailhead, we checked out the parking area at the bridge and the boat ramp.

We drove to the Felburn Trailhead.

The Withlacoochee Bay Trail is 5 miles–a reasonable distance for us–from the Felburn Trailhead to the Gulf of Mexico.  There’s also an equestrian trail but Maggie can’t ride a horse.

Next time, we’ll be bringing our bikes and Maggie!