Debary to DeLand – It’s all about the Trail

The Spring to Spring Trail from Debary to DeLand was gorgeous, as were the side roads we took to bridge the gap between two sections of the trail.  When we got to the second section we rode about ½ mile and decided to review the trail description.  Turns out this 7 mile section of the trail was alongside a highway, and relatively uninteresting.  Since our plan had been to ride the trail up and back, we decided to forgo the 14 mile experience.  After all, it’s all about the trail.

We had earlier taken a planned side trip into Blue Spring State Park.  We had hoped to see manatees which winter over there but, alas, their winter was over!  Their playground, however, was beautiful and we saw lots of fish and a bald eagle which caught a fish right in front of us.  We also got to see an organized crew of snorkelers who were removing invasive underwater plants.

Having decided to forego the last section of the trail, we headed to the Courtyard by Mariott, our home for tonight, and once again were able to check in early.  DeLand is a vibrant little college town, home of Stetson University and the Courtyard is downtown.  

We had a delicious Greek lunch at Santorini.  It had a great GF menu and we both pigged out, even though our day’s ride was certainly no workout. To compensate, though, we strolled around town, and stopped in at the local bike store and chatted with the owner.  It was a well-seasoned store, the kind Rob likes to check out, looking for rare used bike parts.  No such parts were available, but he and Rob shared their affinity for old steel bikes, with Rob admiring three fine examples of his old stock.

Later we had a light Thai dinner, and then went in search of ice cream.  We were not disappointed!

Tomorrow promises to be a longer ride, making up for the two short ones we just enjoyed.  We will re-ride part of the Spring to Spring south, connect with the Cross Seminole Trail, then the Seminole Wekiva Trail, ending up at Apopka for the night.

Diane is prepared for a longer hotter ride, though, with her energy drink of choice, Java Monster Loca Moca, as well as her new cold fruit drink (replacing the old V-8 Fusion), i.e., Tropicana Watermelon!

Well fed in DeLand,

Diane & Rob

Bike bridge over railroad tracks at Blue Springs Park along the Spring to Spring Trail.

The waters of Blue Springs, full of Gar but no manatees. All gone for the Summer and Fall.

But Diane found a manatee friend. 

And Rob found a fellow bicyclist. 

Lastly, Diane's new "go juice."