Sanctuary

I was just thinking how I miss the Starkey Park Bike Trail, and well, being able to rollerblade like I used to. It seems like that was my time, with myself and with God. And, well, there is something about feeling like you are away from civilization for a couple of hours and just blading and listening to podcast and learning and I guess that I could go on and on about how great it is. Now over here in Lakeland, we have Lake Hollingsworth and there is the trail by PCC, and it is good, but just not Starkey Park. Imagine a wide trail winding through the woods and no cars, and enough people passing you every so often so you feel like you are safe, but not so many that it becomes super crowded. Now imagine going for about 4 1/2 miles one direction, and all of a sudden the trail narrows and the trees cover the path. There is a little creek. (I'm not going to lie: it was seeming to be pretty dry of late.) But it is beautiful. Nature at it's best. The trail then opens up again and cost along. At 6 1/2 miles you face the Suncoast Parkway, complete with it's own bike path, the Suncoast Trail. The cars zoom by as you contemplate the direction you desire to go. Right will take you to Hwy 54, and left brings you to Hwy 52. But you know that either direction you go, you get to go over a bridge, and you will probably see an alligator along the way. You end up going as far as you can handle one direction, forgetting about the trip back to your car. But it is worth it....if I were you, I would choose left, because there is a water cooler about 1/2 mile up the trail.