Payne’s Prairie, Fred Bear Museum, Micanopy
(posted from Alachua County Library, Micanopy, FL)
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Sunday, 10 February-
I woke for an hour around 0400 and then fell heavily asleep until almost 0900. Today as another beauty, around 50 then but rapidly warming toward today’s high in the mid-Seventies. I took the advice of the ranger lady and drove to Boulware Park and walked the La Chua Trail. The greater portion of it was a dike-walk out on Payne’s Prarie. I saw a hundred or so alligators, most just soaking up the sun. I also spent quite a bit of time watching several hawks hunting the area. They seemed to hover just above the tall grasses at times but I never saw them go to the ground. On the way back I stopped at ‘the bunkhouse’ and saw a video about the Prairie and got back to the van about 1315, after a five-mile walk.
I drove back to the campground and pulled out the road-bike and headed for Micanopy. I was quite hungry but wanted to hold off for a Cubano sandwich at the Old Florida Café (I had seen it advertised yesterday). On the way I passed the town library and noticed lights inside. I stopped and learned that they not only have internet connectivity, they also have wi-fi—Excellent! After the Cubano and a cream soda I walked the town, exploring all the many antique shops and book shops. Then I toured the rest of the town on a slow bicycle ride.
On the way back to the campground I stopped at the Blue Highway Pizza Shop, an interesting little gourmet-pizza shop recommended by the lady ranger. I had eaten only two hours ago but wanted something tasty so had a Tuscan Bean Salad for the whole white beans, olives, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Back at the campground I talked with the nice lady-ranger again (she had given me good info yesterday) and then toured the lake area by bike. Once back to the van I enjoyed the sunset (and I can still see sunlight in the trees at 1800 here!) before driving to the library parking lot for a wi-fi session.
I chatted with Labashi for a half-hour or so before doing some emails and blogging away the evening.
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Saturday, 9 February-
I woke this morning to a beautiful, sunny day at Sportsman’s Cove. The temperature in the van was 48 degrees and the sun wasn’t yet hitting the van directly so I fired up the propane heater for a few minutes to take the chill off. After breakfast and a shower I looked at the map and tried to decide whether to go south to Ocala, back east to the northern entrance to the Ocala National Forest, or perhaps back north to Gainesville. When I noticed a little square for the Fred Bear Museum my decision was made—I’d go see Fred. Back in the early Seventies I had a Fred Bear bow recurve bow—a Whitetail Hunter model—and I enjoyed hunting with it a few seasons. But first I had some chores to attend to. I checked again at Payne’s Prairie State Preserve and this time was able to get in. I dropped the fishing boat, locking it to a bicycle rack. As I drove north into Gainesville I recognized the area—the bike shop was nearby. So I stopped there for some lube. And since I knew a Starbucks was near there, I hit that too. Then I picked the Fred Bear Museum off the GPS and it led me there. But something was wrong. The sign out front told me I had reached Fred Bear Archery (the company) and the Pro Shop but there was no mention of the Museum. In the pro shop I learned the Museum had been sold to Bass Pro and moved to Springfield, Missouri FIVE YEARS AGO. And I was the 13th person today to come looking for it! The Museum still shows on the new Florida road map and as I mentioned, is in the points-of-interest database on my brand-new GPS.
I drove to the nearby Wal-Mart to pick up some ice and a few little items. The ice machine was broken and on the way out the door I accidently stepped on a glossy advertisement flyer and nearly fell. I stubbed a toe and, worse, broke the strap on my expensive (though now aging) Tevas. RATS!
I spent the next several hours looking for sandals in the fancy Oaks Mall. Nada. But I did get a tip that the Sports Authority had that type so ended up spending $40 there for some Nikes.
Then I decided I’d find the local Bass Pro Shop for an item. I entered ‘Bass Pro’ in the GPS, got a hit, and hit the GoTo button. After winding me around and getting me stuck in traffic for the Florida Gators basketball game, the GPS led me out into a suburban area and finally to a small building—it was Bass Pro-something (Realty?) but not a Bass Pro Shop. It turns out the nearest one of those is in Orlando. What a day I’m having.
I finally just headed back toward Payne’s Prairie and stopped in the little town of Micanopy. What a pretty little town! I arrived late in the day and the shops were all closing up but I decided I’d come back here tomorrow, hopefully by bicycle.
Back at the campground I took a quick nap and then read and planned the next day.
==== end of post =====
(posted from Alachua County Library, Micanopy, FL)
---------------------------------------------------
Sunday, 10 February-
I woke for an hour around 0400 and then fell heavily asleep until almost 0900. Today as another beauty, around 50 then but rapidly warming toward today’s high in the mid-Seventies. I took the advice of the ranger lady and drove to Boulware Park and walked the La Chua Trail. The greater portion of it was a dike-walk out on Payne’s Prarie. I saw a hundred or so alligators, most just soaking up the sun. I also spent quite a bit of time watching several hawks hunting the area. They seemed to hover just above the tall grasses at times but I never saw them go to the ground. On the way back I stopped at ‘the bunkhouse’ and saw a video about the Prairie and got back to the van about 1315, after a five-mile walk.
I drove back to the campground and pulled out the road-bike and headed for Micanopy. I was quite hungry but wanted to hold off for a Cubano sandwich at the Old Florida Café (I had seen it advertised yesterday). On the way I passed the town library and noticed lights inside. I stopped and learned that they not only have internet connectivity, they also have wi-fi—Excellent! After the Cubano and a cream soda I walked the town, exploring all the many antique shops and book shops. Then I toured the rest of the town on a slow bicycle ride.
On the way back to the campground I stopped at the Blue Highway Pizza Shop, an interesting little gourmet-pizza shop recommended by the lady ranger. I had eaten only two hours ago but wanted something tasty so had a Tuscan Bean Salad for the whole white beans, olives, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Back at the campground I talked with the nice lady-ranger again (she had given me good info yesterday) and then toured the lake area by bike. Once back to the van I enjoyed the sunset (and I can still see sunlight in the trees at 1800 here!) before driving to the library parking lot for a wi-fi session.
I chatted with Labashi for a half-hour or so before doing some emails and blogging away the evening.
----------------------------------------------------
Saturday, 9 February-
I woke this morning to a beautiful, sunny day at Sportsman’s Cove. The temperature in the van was 48 degrees and the sun wasn’t yet hitting the van directly so I fired up the propane heater for a few minutes to take the chill off. After breakfast and a shower I looked at the map and tried to decide whether to go south to Ocala, back east to the northern entrance to the Ocala National Forest, or perhaps back north to Gainesville. When I noticed a little square for the Fred Bear Museum my decision was made—I’d go see Fred. Back in the early Seventies I had a Fred Bear bow recurve bow—a Whitetail Hunter model—and I enjoyed hunting with it a few seasons. But first I had some chores to attend to. I checked again at Payne’s Prairie State Preserve and this time was able to get in. I dropped the fishing boat, locking it to a bicycle rack. As I drove north into Gainesville I recognized the area—the bike shop was nearby. So I stopped there for some lube. And since I knew a Starbucks was near there, I hit that too. Then I picked the Fred Bear Museum off the GPS and it led me there. But something was wrong. The sign out front told me I had reached Fred Bear Archery (the company) and the Pro Shop but there was no mention of the Museum. In the pro shop I learned the Museum had been sold to Bass Pro and moved to Springfield, Missouri FIVE YEARS AGO. And I was the 13th person today to come looking for it! The Museum still shows on the new Florida road map and as I mentioned, is in the points-of-interest database on my brand-new GPS.
I drove to the nearby Wal-Mart to pick up some ice and a few little items. The ice machine was broken and on the way out the door I accidently stepped on a glossy advertisement flyer and nearly fell. I stubbed a toe and, worse, broke the strap on my expensive (though now aging) Tevas. RATS!
I spent the next several hours looking for sandals in the fancy Oaks Mall. Nada. But I did get a tip that the Sports Authority had that type so ended up spending $40 there for some Nikes.
Then I decided I’d find the local Bass Pro Shop for an item. I entered ‘Bass Pro’ in the GPS, got a hit, and hit the GoTo button. After winding me around and getting me stuck in traffic for the Florida Gators basketball game, the GPS led me out into a suburban area and finally to a small building—it was Bass Pro-something (Realty?) but not a Bass Pro Shop. It turns out the nearest one of those is in Orlando. What a day I’m having.
I finally just headed back toward Payne’s Prairie and stopped in the little town of Micanopy. What a pretty little town! I arrived late in the day and the shops were all closing up but I decided I’d come back here tomorrow, hopefully by bicycle.
Back at the campground I took a quick nap and then read and planned the next day.
==== end of post =====
posted by Bezabor&Labashi | 21:12
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