Day One: Gainesville Camping Trip

Gainesville, Florida: The cooler fall weather has sunk into the sunshine state and what better way to celebrate its arrival then with our first camping trip of the Fall. In a last minute Friday afternoon decision we decided to head north to Gainesville for a one night camping trip at Paynes Prairie State Park. While there we would take in the sights of the park as well as exploring what Gainesville has to offer.

For the first time ever, this trip was pretty much unscripted. The last minute availability of a campsite made for a quick grab and go trip. We have always wanted to go to Paynes Prairie, but it has been difficult to get a site when it fits into our schedule. So when I saw if come available on Friday afternoon, I jumped on the chance to reserve the site.

I loaded the truck Friday night and we hit the road north to Gainesville early Saturday morning. The trip up I-75 north of Tampa is pretty much uncharted territory for us. Except for a couple trips to the State Fire College in Ocala and our trip to St Augustine a couple years ago, we never go north of I-4. Its amazing how much the landscape changes once you get north of Tampa, it doesn’t even feel like Florida anymore. Rolling hills and autumn foliage made for a nice view during the almost three hour ride.

It didn’t take long into our trip to realize that today was Homecoming at University of Florida. Most of the ride up to Gainesville, we were surrounded by UF faithful making the journey to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to watch their Gators host Vanderbilt. As we approached US-441 on the last leg of our trip to the campground, our journey was delayed briefly by the police escorted caravan of the Vanderbilt players who were heading to game.

We arrived at Paynes Prairie around 10am and checked in at the Ranger Station and made our way back to the campsite. The campground is a couple miles from the gate and the drive is very scenic. When got to the campground, the previous occupant had not taken down their campsite so we headed off to Gainesville to explore.

We planned on going to Devil's Millhopper, but we took a quick detour along the way at the Florida Natural History Museum. The museum was a great place to visit. With most of the people in town heading to the football game, it almost felt like we had the museum to ourselves. The museum has exhibits highlight the natural side of the state with a focus on wildlife and archaeology. There are exhibits focusing on different ecosystems, fossils, Native American cultures, scientific research and a large collection of butterfly specimens.

After we finished touring the museum, we headed back to our plans of visiting Devil's Millhopper.  We fought the football traffic and finally arrived at the park.  A short hike back a nature trail lead's you to the focal point of the park, the sinkhole known as the Devil's Millhopper.

A 232 step journey takes you into the depth of the sinkhole, some 120 feet in the ground. Once at the bottom, you are are surrounded by limestone rock formations, waterfalls and just overall tranquility.  It feels like you are in the middle of a Central American rainforest right in the middle of the park.  We enjoyed the view for a while and then took the 232 step journey back to the top.

Once we reached the top, we headed to lunch and then back to the campground to set up our campsite.  I have gotten the camp set-up down to a routine.  It didn't take long to get everything set-up and amazingly I didn't forget anything this time.

With camp set-up, it was time to explore our park.  We headed straight to the visitor's center and the observation tower.  Paynes Prairie is know for its heard of wild bison and horses so we were hoping to see some from the observation tower.  But is was a quiet as can be out on the prairie, nothing visible as far as the binoculars could see.

So we then decided to hike the Wacahoota Trail.  Shortly into the hike, my wife lets out a giant scream as a snake crossed the path in front of her.  After she calmed down, we continued the hike back to the visitor's center were we encountered her second least favorite wild critter, a spider the size of your hand right by the car.  Not a good way to start the trip, one hike completed and nothing but snakes and spiders.

Then we headed back into Gaineville for a sightseeing trip around the city.  The game is over, the Gators got spanked by Vandy but that didn't stop the parties.  Every fraternity and sorority was abuzz with parties, their were tailgate parties everywhere and the bars were hopping.

Gainesville is a very nice town.  We really want to stroll the campus, but the massive crowds made that impossible.  However tomorrow while much of the town sleeps off their hangovers, we will be out walking the campus.

After dinner, we headed back to the campground where we finished the night by the fire.  What a peaceful end to the day, nothing but the crackle of the fire and the sounds of nature all around us.

Be sure to check back for more from the trip including a review of the second day of the trip as well as closer look and photos from the places we visited today.