Gulf Coast - North of Tampa

[danh600]

It's a little ways off but I am starting to plan a road trip. I can't really get time off work until late July, but hey, planning is part of the fun of a trip.

Living close to the big lake I have done almost every road in SE Florida multiple times. So we are thinking of going up the Gulf Coast for a week or so road trip. I have been to many places south of Tampa, but haven't spent much time on the coast north of Tampa. We did stay in Tarpon Springs once and that was pretty cool. I love Greek food. I think that is certainly one of our first stops on the trip. Never been to many other coastal town in the center of the state. Been to some of the panhandle beaches, but that was years ago.

Anyone know of some must see places?

We like anything that is kind of old Florida,eating, outdoor stuff, beaches,etc. Don't really care about the night life. I would rather go to Mom and Pop places to eat and stay. We generally have a no "Chains" rule on restaurants and lodging when we go on a vacation. So good restaurants and ride suggestions would be most helpful. I know some of you guys are from that general area.

I am thinking we could take it slow and easy and see lots of things up to about the pan handle area.


I did notice that Ozella trail ride you guys did looked cool.

[dongalb]

Ozello ride should be on your list.  Good food at the end as well.

[v65infla]

An afternoon and a one nights stay in Cedar Key is a must do!  We stayed here for our 10th Anniversary and it was awesome.

http://www.cedarkeyharbourmaster.com/

Town itself is a bit of a tourist trap but very nice!

[dt]

I don’t usually get too close to the coast over there because of the traffic, but if you can stay off US19 and once you get above Spring Hill its better. That Ozello Trail is a cool road how it wound out to the Gulf. I’ll bet there are more of those if you explore. I’ll think about some other attractions along there. Let us know when you’re heading through.

[Zarticus]

Just did the Ozello Trail again with Brady this afternoon! What an AWSOME road!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[v65infla]

Just did the Ozello Trail again with Brady this afternoon! What an AWSOME road!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you guy's actually get to ride it this time, w/o a car or six holding you up??  I take it you are loving the new tires?? 

[dt]

Just did the Ozello Trail again with Brady this afternoon! What an AWSOME road!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky bums. 

Sporty or SV?

[mrbones]

Neither. The KLX250S. Using 4 of it's 6 gears. 

We also went all the way done to Pine Island for the scenic view. The weather was perfect!

[mrbones]

Here's a map link for Pine Island. There's a beach out there and a little outside food restaurant with picnic tables. Parking is $5. I've had to pay at the gate before, but yesterday you were supposed to use the ticket dispenser. Sometimes the place is full on the weekends and they turn you away at the gate. The view is very nice and the road going out there is surrounded by salty marshes.

[mrbones]

Ozello Map Link

[Zarticus]

Just did the Ozello Trail again with Brady this afternoon! What an AWSOME road!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you guy's actually get to ride it this time, w/o a car or six holding you up??  I take it you are loving the new tires?? 

No cars holding us up, Brady hung in there pretty good considering he was on his Klr250. He did have to do a shit load of shifting!!. That road is very different when your the one leading!!. I now realize how much easyier it is to follow when hitting that type of road at a "brisk" pace. The new tires are great exept I still have a little bounce on the front tire from 75mph & up. I am up to 3 ounces of dynabeads & think I'm going to have to remove the beads & balance with weights, Then maybe I'll put 1 ounce in. I'm thinking they are good for tires that are close to balance without weights.   

[danh600]

Here's a map link for Pine Island. There's a beach out there and a little outside food restaurant with picnic tables. Parking is $5. I've had to pay at the gate before, but yesterday you were supposed to use the ticket dispenser. Sometimes the place is full on the weekends and they turn you away at the gate. The view is very nice and the road going out there is surrounded by salty marshes.


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=pine+island+Weeki+Wachee,+Florida&aq=&sll=28.549545,-82.603283&sspn=0.073585,0.154324&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Pine+Island&ll=28.571256,-82.651691&spn=0.036785,0.077162&z=14

That looks nice. Any hotels or rentals out there?

[mrbones]

It looks like all private residences out there. Check in Weeki Wachee on US19. There's got to be something close by.