Monday, January 27, 2020

"The I-75 Land Bridge"


We finally made it across the Land Bridge! It's been on our list of 'hikes to make' for a long time and it did NOT disappoint.


The hike through the forest was beautiful!


Lots of huge Live Oak Trees and enough Palmetto palms to let you know you're in Florida!


I looked at info on the internet so I'll share some of that HERE.....

"One of the unique features of the Cross Florida Greenway, the I-75 Land Bridge, allows wildlife and nonmotorized recreational traffic to pass safely over Interstate 75 near Ocala. The 200-foot-long structure was completed in 2000 and has the distinct honor of being America’s first land bridge.

Bring your mountain bike and explore the 1.5-mile trail through huge live oaks as you make your way to the Land Bridge. Once atop the shrub- and tree-lined bridge, pause and look down at the traffic on Interstate 75, and ponder how enjoyable it is to be biking along the Cross Florida Greenway instead of busily racing along the highway below." 


It's nice and wide to allow people, bikes AND horses to go across at the same time.


And do you see the wide places to get over and look out over the interstate?


Another source HERE....

"This primary trailhead was developed to provide access to the I-75 Landbridge.  The structure, which is 52 feet wide by 200 feet long, follows a natural ridge over 100 feet in elevation to minimize ecological damage. The planters on both sides of the bridge are vegetated with plants native to the surrounding area. The walls were built from local fieldstone."


'peeking through'


And a photo I found on the internet from overhead!

It was a beautiful day for a hike....closer to 70 degrees which we consider perfect here in the South!


13 hikes so far this year! Are you ready to go again? Keep those hiking shoes handy!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .


38 comments:

Arlene G said...

Agreed much better than being on I 75. When you go to the Braves games now you walk across a bridge over 285. It is very surreal.

Sandy said...

Very interesting hike. I am going to have to pay attention the next time I go through there. I think I have noticed that before.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a great tour of this spot!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I am so glad you posted about this! I have driven under this bridge so many times and wondered about it!

Edna B said...

I love the idea of the bridge. It would be nice if there some like this along all the highways created for animals to cross the road safely. I really enjoy your photos. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

MadSnapper said...

I LOVE THAT BRIDGE. now I am wondering if I have driven under it. when we go to Savannah, we get off on 326 over to 301 and go up that way. cant decide if it is after that. I have not been up 75 past 326. I would love to walk over it. so much beauty in all these photos

Wendy @ Ravenwood Whimzies said...

Looks like an awesome hike!

Tom said...

...now that's a BIG WOW!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I was not familiar with this bridge but you have wonderful photos and description. Besides people, it sounds like a safe option for animals to cross the highway.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Looks like another great hike. The land bridge is a great idea, they should have them all over the USA. Beautiful trees and A pretty horse.
I hope your day and new week are great!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Wonderful photos!! It is such a great idea to have a land bridge! Thank you and have a wonderful week!

Jeanie said...

Isn't it fun to make a long-awaited goal? Three cheers and congratulations!

Debbie said...

WoW!!! 13 hikes and it is only the 27th of january, you are really doing well!! you always look and sound so happy, it is so nice that you have a great appreciation for the land and for all of the critters who call it home!!

i really appreciate paths like this one, that allow bikes, horses and hikers. and ones that are wide enough to accommodate everyone!! beautiful captures today, that horse looks like black beauty!!

and 70 degrees is perfect in my book too!!!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

When I read "crossing the land bridge" I started to wonder just how old you are, and was looking in the pictures for wooly mammoths! But it's just a bridge in Florida. Congratulations in making it across! These kinds of animal crossings are widely used in other parts of the world and I hope their popularity increases here.

Gillena Cox said...

Happy biking and trekking. Thanks for dropping by my blog today Diane

Much❤love

Dawn said...

I drove under that bridge in October and thought WHY do they not do this everywhere? So many animals get run over, it's a shame. We invaded their space we should at least look out for them.
Did you take the 7 mile trail??
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

Creations By Cindy said...

Girl, you simply amaze me with your hiking! What beautiful hiking weather and scenery you had too. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Small City Scenes said...

Very interesting. Beautiful land bridge. We have some land bridges-(animals only) over the Interstate
MB

Ann said...

That is really amazing. I don't think I would have realized how incredible it was without seeing the aerial photo. Thaks for showing this

Crown and Cottage said...

This promises to be a great year for your hiking trips Diane, perfect weather and beautiful surroundings. It's good to see a land bridge incorporated in trails as well.

Lowcarb team member said...

What a super hike, so lovely seeing your photographs.
Enjoy the new week ahead.

All the best Jan

betty-NZ said...

I'm so glad you shared this trip, it's fantastic! I'm loving your photos so much :)


Feel free to share at My Corner of the World

Latane Barton said...

Oh, my what a beautiful place.

Susie said...

Diane, The pictures are so interesting. Oh I would rather be hiking over the traffic than driving in it. So much more relaxing. LOL Glad you had a fun hike you had been looking forward to doing. Blessings, xoxo,love, Susie

Terri D said...

How fun was that!! (not a question) I have driven under that more than several times! Thanks for sharing yet another great hike!

SImple and Serene Living said...

That bridge is amazing. You are having perfect hiking weather. Hope it warms back up some here in Georgia. I'm ready to do a little more explring. xo Laura

Pamela M. Steiner said...

wow, you really are busily hiking into 2020! I've seen the Land Bridge from below looking up, and now it is fun to see it from above looking down. Thank you for sharing. The Marjorie Harris Carr trail covers a lot of territory across the state, where the Cross Florida Barge Canal would have been. I've often wanted to get on it and see some of the different areas it covers. I am glad you are doing it!

Angie said...

Diane - that is a very inspiring creation! I would like to think that native animals as well are using this to get across I-75? We have quite a few of these bridges in Montana, but they are only for wildlife, so maybe they don't qualify for the definition of "land bridge". Thanks for sharing this wonderful structure with the Mosaic Monday community!

Linda said...

That is great! I recall that Virginia has done some initial work on wildlife crossings and they're finding it is beneficial.

BeachGypsy said...

That is really cool! I've never seen this before, not that I remember anyway, ha ha. Do they have any pictures of any animals using it and do they know which animals do? Loved all the pictures!

Inger said...

It's a great way to help wildlife cross the highways. I'm glad you experienced it for yourself.

Sandi Magle said...

I remember when this was proposed....amazing to see it all grown up/over...thanks for sharing, and I pinned it to my Want to go HERE pinboard, lol. Thanks, for sharing!!!!!

Petite Plangonophile au chocolat said...

Well done!

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

It's so nice that you and your husband get out for all of those hikes in such pretty places. I love all of the green and those trees! I hope you have a nice week Diane.

Sam I Am...... said...

Land bridges are wonderful especially for the animals...that one looks more like it is for people. Very nice post!

DeniseinVA said...

Those sights along the way would keep me going, a wonderful hike. Thanks for sharing it.

Buttercup said...

This is a new part of Florida for me. Now I've got to add it to my to-see list.

Suzy said...

I have never seen trees growing on a highway overpass before!