We did it! After we made our initial, brief exploration of the G'ville-H'thorne Trail earlier this summer (
Gainesville to Hawthorne Trail) we finally got back to it and we did the whole thing - all 32 miles, 16 each way. The first leg to Hawthorne was quite nice. Olivia biked a few miles then we hid her bike in the woods and crammed her in the trailer next to Grant.
The ride is mostly on this nicely paved trail through a variety of habitats: pine uplands, oak hammocks, grassy prairies. We turned off on a short trail to a cypress wetland area.
Can you see the Great Blue Heron?
Two baby deer that were more brave (or naive) than their mama.
We passed by a few farms and churches too... and then we made it to Hawthorne.
We stopped to eat at Sonny's BBQ in Hawthorne and then began our 16 mile trek back. And this is where the fun ended. It began to rain... and I mean rain...complete with thunder and a little lightning mixed in too. This was about the time that Don's legs gave out and I took over pulling the nearly 100 pound load of gripes and complaints. Don biked ~18 miles and I did the last 14... in the rain, at a faster pace since I was a bit freaked by the lightning. Did I mention that it was raining? You will notice we don't have any pictures of the joyous return trip back to Gainesville. I do give Olivia credit - when we returned to her bike hideout, she climbed right on and rode in the rain. In fact, I think this was the most fun she had. All in all, well worth it - beautiful scenery, good exercise. I highly recommend it.
The ride is mostly on this nicely paved trail through a variety of habitats: pine uplands, oak hammocks, grassy prairies. We turned off on a short trail to a cypress wetland area.
Can you see the Great Blue Heron?
Two baby deer that were more brave (or naive) than their mama.
We passed by a few farms and churches too... and then we made it to Hawthorne.
We stopped to eat at Sonny's BBQ in Hawthorne and then began our 16 mile trek back. And this is where the fun ended. It began to rain... and I mean rain...complete with thunder and a little lightning mixed in too. This was about the time that Don's legs gave out and I took over pulling the nearly 100 pound load of gripes and complaints. Don biked ~18 miles and I did the last 14... in the rain, at a faster pace since I was a bit freaked by the lightning. Did I mention that it was raining? You will notice we don't have any pictures of the joyous return trip back to Gainesville. I do give Olivia credit - when we returned to her bike hideout, she climbed right on and rode in the rain. In fact, I think this was the most fun she had. All in all, well worth it - beautiful scenery, good exercise. I highly recommend it.
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