Our Rustic Escape In Trilby near The Withlacoochee River

Florida

February - March, 2022

Arriving at Our Rural Retreat in Trilby, FL

In Trilby, we were warmly welcomed by the farm owner, along with many dogs, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs. Yes, we are staying in a house on an organic farm in the middle of nowhere. It is beautiful here!

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The Quiet Beauty of Withlacoochee River Park

Upon entering the Withlacoochee River Park, we expected to find a map, but there were none. Thankfully, the trail was very well-marked. We discovered we were following a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail, a 1,500-mile footpath that begins at Big Cypress National Preserve and ends at Gulf Islands National Seashore. Although the trail provided enough shade, we only walked part of it, returning after 2.5 miles since we forgot to bring water.

I noticed how remarkably quiet it was. There were no people, animals, traffic, or wind. There was absolutely no background sound at all. We only heard the sound of our footsteps on the trail’s dry leaves. Wildlife sightings were limited. We saw a few birds and an alligator looking like a submerged log in the water. Despite the lack of wildlife encounters, the park impressed me with its breathtaking river views, majestic cypress trees, and magnificent oak trees.

Exploring the Withlacoochee State Trail

On this hot day, we stayed close to the Airbnb and walked part of the 47-mile Withlacoochee State Trail, the longest paved rail-to-trail in Florida. The trail winds through Florida’s hilly and rural landscape with hardwood forests, sandhills, and wetlands.

The trees thankfully gave us some shade. After almost 3 miles, we turned around. On our way back, we saw a turtle crossing the trail. It pulled its head in when I approached. However, the animal was curious to see what I was doing and patiently allowed me to take some pictures.

A Relaxed Day: Running, Groceries, and Sunset Views

We had no plans today other than to run early in the morning. My last run was at the beginning of December. I had joined a running group and ran twice with them, but COVID restrictions no longer permitted us to gather.

Until now, there have always been circumstances not to run: too cold, crowded, or dangerous. However, I found the Withlacoochee State Trail to be perfect for running. I am so glad I started again; it really felt good. Afterwards, we went grocery shopping, listened to music, and relaxed the rest of the day.

I took the pictures at sunset. Our neighbor, a cute, friendly pig, was curious and followed me behind the fence when I took the horses’ sunset picture. The best I could do was to take a photo of her beautiful nose!

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Ultimately, running on the Withlacoochee State Trail became a highlight of our trip since we returned a few more times during our time there.

A Scenic Hike at Cypress Lakes Preserve

Despite the chance of rain, we still wanted to hike and stretch our legs. A Google search “hiking trails near me” suggested Cypress Lakes Preserve. This preserve proved to be a gem, with a well-marked and well-tended trail offering a variety of scenery. We saw impressive cypress swamps up close and open grass landscapes with scattered trees. Thankfully, the rain held off just long enough for us to be back at the parking lot. The moment we drove away, the downpour started!

River Views at Lake Towsen

Lake Towsen Preserve was another gem near our Airbnb. The preserve offered access to the Withlacoochee River near the Withlacoochee State Trail. We enjoyed watching people cycling, boating, and kayaking from the deck by the boat ramp. Despite having hiked in the area, this was our first time experiencing a fantastic view of the Withlacoochee River.

One Last Run, Walk, and A Goodbye to the Animals

It was almost check-out day again! After a last run and walk on Saturday, I took pictures and said goodbye to the animals. Our stay in this rural part of Florida, with the welcoming cottage, the farm, the giant trees, and the evening quiet, had exceeded our expectations.