December 9th finds us at a fish fry in Williston Florida.

We met several couples here. Again many who have been traveling for many years back to this RV Park. They is almost a town unto itself. The major form of transportation is golf carts. Most of them are decorated for the holidays. They will have a paradeatsome point. I looked for bike trails in the area and was happy to find many a available. We are not sure of the roads Here for  cycling so with maps printed up we are on our way to ride.

The first trail we ventured out on was the Nature Coast Trail. Tree covered and some prairie land. We road into a quaint little town called Trenton. We stopped at the Suwannee  Cafe and had a soda. Nex to it is an old building that housed a Coca Cola building from 1925. The Suwannee Valley quilt Shoppe is now there. There also is an old train depot in the same area. Down the road we stopped under some old trees covered in Spanish moss to eat a lunch we had packed.

Going back along the trail we decided to take another leg of it. This was cool. We crossed the Suwannee River by riding over an old Truss Bridge. This trail follows the old  Atlantic Coast Railway. Great day of riding with a little over 40 miles!

The next day we drive out to a city called Hawthorne. There we would set out to ride to the  University of Florida town Gainsville. What a pretty ride. A lot of these rail trail systems are tree covered. You ride through tunnels of tree limbs. Getting to Gainsville you knew you were in a university town. There is an energy the towns have. You can see it in the places and the people on the street.

December 14 is our last night in Williston and we decide to have Bar B Que  at “Bubbaque’s ” pretty darn good.  Tomorrow we drive to Venice Florida. Jim’s sister Shari and her husband Pat live there. Venice is close to our hearts. Jim’s mom and dad  bought a place there in 1986. Till his mom moved back close to family in Indiana our Christmas was always spent there. Can’t wait! The drive will be short 190 miles.

Today will be an easy drive. It is only 190 miles to the RV  Park we have reservations with. It is called Lake Myakka. We have stayed in a variety of RVparks. They are all different and unique. This one is like a small little village. Where we are across the road is the owner of the park, Sharon. Next door is her sister.