Headed out on an unplanned ride today, had a few hours to kill. The direction I picked today was NW, so off I went, planning to pick up US 19 in Inverness and ride north until I was tired, I found myself instead working the back country route system of Sumter and Marion and Citrus counties today.
I've mapped the ride starting and ending in Wildwood at I-75 and SR44, an easy start point to locate on the map, being an hour north of Tampa up the I-75 corridor.
The ride took me right by the Don Garlits Museum Of Drag Racing. Big Daddy Don Garlits Museum
Very nice grounds, unfortunately did not have time to go in. They were setting up for a car show and the whole place looked great, it's on my list to come back to and do the museum.
Working my way north and west, came into Dunellon, an old Florida 1890 Phosphate mine boom town. Great old houses from the day and wonderful shops.
Next west, Inglis and at the end of the road at the Gulf, is Yankeetown. Their claim to fame started well before Elvis came and filmed Follow That Dream there. The town was made famous for its being a favorite retreat of celebrities and presidents in the 1920's. Follow That Dream - IMDB Page
The short, few miles, ride out to the gulf is rewarded with the crossing of the Bird Creek Bridge and it's outstanding view of the gulf. Further on, old picnic areas present a glimpse into old Florida, and then the road terminates at a county boat ramp on one side and picnic pavilions on another driveway. The view of the gulf is just GREAT. You are just north of the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant also, which still looks Three Mile Island Alarming rising out of the marsh....
This loop is about an hour's ride north from Tampa, or NW from the Orlando area. The loop as shown is about 111 miles.
Have fun. Follow That Dream!
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