The Wandering Disciple

As you descend the staircase at Devil's Millhopper, it feels like you're taking a journey to the center of the Earth. But you're not, your embarking on an trip to the bottom of an ancient sinkhole filled with dense foliage, native wildlife and trickling waterfalls.  132 stairs lead you to the bottom of this 500 foot wide, 120 feet deep sinkhole near Gainesville, Florida. As you head to the bottom of the limestone sinkhole, you are surrounded by a tropical rainforest right in the middle of a bustling city. The walls of the sinkhole give glimpse into millions of years of rock layers giving a look into the geological make-up of the area throughout the years.  Taken: November 9, 2013 at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park (Gainesville, FL)

Descending 120 feet into the ground, Devil's Millhopper is a sinkhole that is now the centerpiece of a geological state park. It gets its name for its resemblance to the hopper of a mill and the fact that the bones of numerous animals were found at the bottom perhaps on the way to meet the devil. Today a boardwalk takes visitors to the bottom of the sinkhole and along the way a glimpse into layers upon layers of geological history. (Photo: November 9, 2013)

These stairs lead you on a journey to the center of the Earth.  Well not really, but in the usually flat topography of Florida it sure feels that way.  Here at the Devil''s Millhopper State Park, 212 stairs descend into a 120 foot sinkhole.  Once you reach the bottom, the surface of the park seems to disappear above you, leaving you with a surreal tropical experience complete with trickling waterfalls all around.  (Photo: November 9, 2013)

Climb these stairs on a journey to the center of the Earth.  Well not really the center of the Earth but the center of  a former sinkhole turned geological landmark.  At Devil's Millhopper State Park, hikers can climb 120 feet into the tropical oasis of the crater caused by a sinkhole.  (Photo: November 9, 2013)

236 wooden steps take visitors over 120 feet into a prehistoric sinkhole. You can take a trip down to the bottom to enjoy the cascading springs and the dense foliage or you can marvel at the sinkhole from the half mile hiking trail that surrounds the rim. (Photo: November 9, 2013)

Over 230 stairs take you on a 120 foot descent into the base of an ancient sinkhole at Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Park. The sinkhole is the highlight of the 67 acre state in Gainesville. (Photo: November 9, 2013)

Plunging 120 feet into the earth, the Devil’s Millhopper is a sinkhole north of Gainesville that has been turned into a geological park. Visitor’s can descend into sinkhole via a 232 step journey to the bottom. (Photo: November 9, 2013)

Gainesville, Florida:   A dense tropical rainforest extends some 120 feet into the ground at the Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.  The site of a former sinkhole is now filled with tropical foliage, waterfalls and a stunning view from the floor of the sinkhole. While geologist can't confirm the exact date the sinkhole was formed, it is believed to have occurred almost 15 thousand years ago.  The sinkhole and surrounding property became a state park in 1974.  It is only geological site in the Florida State Park system. Today visitor's to the park can descend to the bottom of the sinkhole via a 232 step stairway.  The tranquiel sound of water cascading the sides of sinkhole surround you as you climb down to the bottom.  Once you reach the bottom, the sky almost disappears as you are surrounded by the dense canopy of trees surrounding the sinkhole. The 63 acre park also includes a hiking trail that circles the 500 foot wide sinkhole and a visit...

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 Fi...