Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park 

This was a wonderful stop where we met so many kind people.  Many people from Michigan. It was amazing to see a prairie - neither of us had seen one before. Beautiful park with spacious natural campsites.  We enjoyed riding almost 14 miles on our bikes on the beautiful trails in the woods and on the prairie.  A bit of sandy spots that were a little slippery on the bikes, but mostly leafy/dirt trails.  We got to see SO much of the 33 square miles! So much wildlife to see:  horses, bison, alligators, armadillo, turtle, cranes and coyote.  We took a hike walking on the prairie to a raised observation post. 

When we weren't riding bikes we enjoyed walking around the trails and in the campground with Rosie.  Rosie loved seeing the armadillo and tried to chase one or two but was inhibited by the leash. A visit to the small town of Micanopy was a highlight with cute antique shops, art galleries and bakeries.  We enjoyed delicious cake, coffee and we learned so much about the town.  It was the town that the Doc Hollywood movie from 1991 was filmed in. One of the stores we were in was the hospital from the movie.  Another one of the stores was the car repair shop from the movie.  I think we will re-watch that movie now that we have been there.  

To top off the time here we took a drive to a nearby observation deck near dusk to try to see bison.  We were lucky enough to see about 16 of them! They were so close!  They came within about 100 feet of the deck where we were standing.  

Around the campground

Biking/hiking trails and prairie

Wildlife

Micanopy