Adventures of Tin Can Lulu

This month of June we have hung out in Florida. We are gearing up for a longer tip in July when we venture to Wisconsin for a month.

We have been hiking with the Stone Creek Outdoor Adventure Club. Pruitt Trailhead in Dunnellon is a wonderful trail system for hiking, off road cycling and equestrian riding. The Pruitt Trailhead is named in memory of Mark Huntington Pruitt, the son of Dr. Crayton Pruitt and Frances Pruitt, former landowners of 8,110 acres now known as the Halpata Tastanaki Preserve. There are HUGE oak trees lining the trail, wild mushrooms and shade too. Katie and Scott Cooley (Stone Creek pickleball friends) joined us on the hike.

We also ventured to Madison, Florida for a week and did a shake down of Tin Can Lulu in preparation for our trip next month. One never knows what is working or not working. Before we even left the storage area we had a flat tire and had to get it replaced. If you have ever dealt with tire issues on a trailer it is not a fun task. But luck was on our side and we were able to hit the road!

The city of Madison was founded in 1838 by Madison Livingston and was established as the County seat. The town played a prominent role in the development of cotton, tobacco, livestock raising, and conservation in North Florida. The world’s largest longstaple cotton gin was located in Madison before the boll weevil arrived in 1916, and wiped out the cotton industry. We saw a 16-foot drive wheel for a 500 horsepower engine that once pulled 65 gins in what was said to be the world’s largest cotton processing plant.

In the center of Madison is the Wardlaw-Smith-Goza house, a stately mansion that dates from 1860 and served as a Confederate hospital during the War between the States.

Our first bike ride was a loop from Madison that went south and east to Lee. Livestock and corn fields dotted the quiet county roads that we rode on.

Next up was a ride to Greenville the childhood home (he was born in Albany, Georgia) of the famous musician Ray Charles. The loop once again put us on roads with little to no car traffic. We had a nine mile stretch that only one car passed us. Amazing.

Rainy weather gave us a chance to do a few car trips. We went to Monticello, which was named for Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia home. Monticello is known for its historic buildings and the June Watermelon Festival. There are more than 600 buildings in the area that were built before 1920.

We were able to have lunch (on another rainy day) with tandem friends Heide and Al Parker in Tallahassee. Great to catch up with them!!