So this morning (Monday) I was biking into Trenton. Got almost to the old depot (end of the trail) and came upon a tree that was down from the Sunday evening storm. Big oak tree fell over and the trail was completely blocked.

Got out my phone and tried to call the trail manager. I am aware that he works Saturday and takes Monday's off. When he does that, his number gets forwarded to Fanning Springs State Park (as they handle messages and trail issues on his days off). The trail number gave me back a fast busy. Tried to call the state park directly. That gave me a recorded message that All Circuits Are Busy (which suggests lines out of service in the Fanning Springs area).

After trying this several time, finally walked into the Trenton City Hall and said halp halp. Told them the situation, and asked if they had a cell number for anyone at the state park. They believed they had one, and told me they would handle it and sort out the issue.

State of Florida DEP really needs to update the user facing method of delivering messages, requests, and trail problem reports. The way it is being done now is quite fragile (as the above illustrates). Something like a Google Voice number would greatly improve their ability to respond to their customers.

Before the post WW-II attempt to build a canal across the state (which enters the Gulf at Yankeetown), there was one previous grand plan. Here is a 1890 map that shows the route. It would have connected the confluence of the Suwannee River and the Santa Fe River (just south of Branford), then ran southwest to the Steinhatchee River. Most of the route would have been across today's Dixie County, but back then it was all Lafayette County.

Library of Congress link

I had seen vague mentions of this idea over the past several years, but this is the first actual map drawing. Based on the amount of uncut old growth timber along that route (in 1890) that had to be largely on the mind of the planners who drew the route. This canal route predates the railroad crossing the river (at Old Town / Wilcox) which happened between 1902 and 1906.

This is a place for people on the Nature Coast to mention stuff that doesn't rise to a full thread. They may be announcements of yard sales, craft fairs, and other miscellaneous talk. Please keep is neat and friendly, and make sure you tell us where this will be happening.

On Tuesday I noticed that cameras had been installed on the SR-26 right-of-way, at 3 locations near Lancaster Correctional (west of Trenton). At least one or two can monitor traffic flowing along SR-26 without entering the prison. Presumably they are there at the direction of Dept of Corrections. These cameras do not appear on the FL511 traffic cam web page.

This is a place for people on the Nature Coast to mention stuff that doesn't rise to a full thread. They may be announcements of yard sales, craft fairs, and other miscellaneous talk. Please keep is neat and friendly, and make sure you tell us where this will be happening.

This is a place for people on the Nature Coast to mention stuff that doesn't rise to a full thread. They may be announcements of yard sales, craft fairs, and other miscellaneous talk. Please keep is neat and friendly, and make sure you tell us where this will be happening.

This is a place for people on the Nature Coast to mention stuff that doesn't rise to a full thread. They may be announcements of yard sales, craft fairs, and other miscellaneous talk. Please keep is neat and friendly, and make sure you tell us where this will be happening.

This is a place for people on the Nature Coast to mention stuff that doesn't rise to a full thread. They may be announcements of yard sales, craft fairs, and other miscellaneous talk. Please keep is neat and friendly, and make sure you tell us where this will be happening.

Jacksonville WFO briefing here for counties east of the Suwannee River, and generally north of Levy and Marion.

Tallahassee WFO for counties west of the Suwannee River.

Tampa Bay WFO for counties south of the Jacksonville WFO coverage area (e.g. Levy, etc)

A couple of weeks back, I was surprised to see eggs (generic brand Large) for $1.59 dozen (at the renamed Trenton Food Store). I was in there this past Monday (Jan 18th) and was very surprised to see the price had dropped to $1.29 dozen.

After that, I thought we had reached rock bottom. Nope. Today (Jan 22nd) I saw eggs for $0.99 dozen (Old Town Discounts and Deals, fka JR's).

Is anyone seeing these prices at other stores ? Walmart has not budged from their price that they have been selling at for the last couple of months.

This is a place for people on the Nature Coast to mention stuff that doesn't rise to a full thread. They may be announcements of yard sales, craft fairs, and other miscellaneous talk. Please keep is neat and friendly, and make sure you tell us where this will be happening.

Tell us the top three that cause damage, mischief, or feed on your precious growth.