Have a Millhopper Day
Where else to begin but at Bageland, a local meeting spot institution for a generation. It’s a taste of New York on Thornebrook “Island” — a shopping island that is. Be sure and check their specials! They’re on the black-board above the counter
Whether you have a taste for chocolate, want to work out at the Women’s Center of Gainesville Health and Fitness Center, or looking for style, you can find it on this shopping island. Although the Women’s Center is only for women, there is a nice jogging trail across NW 43 Street.
I’ll usually make it to the Publix in Millhopper Shopping Center just across the boulevard. This particular Publix is sort of the “scene” for those who want to be seen. I’ve seen our local state senator in there.
He’s one of those folks who can chew gum nonstop as in SPACK!
Squeeze something fresh in the produce section. They do have a great selection of produce. Or check out the deli. They have weekly specials posted. A 12” sub usually goes for $5.99.
Note to self: The key to getting around in Gainesville is APRIL! Any road that begins with an A, P, R, I, or L, goes East to West i.e. avenues, places, lanes. Everything else goes North to South i.e. streets, terraces and ways. The exception to this rule are some roads with names like “Archer Road” and some boulevards. They go wherever they go.
After doing the Millhopper shopping area drive up and learning something at the Millhopper Library Branch. This specific branch has a good selection of special program for all ages and is also a popular location for meetings. The Alachua County Library System is great by the way; it is well funded by the library district and stays current.
When we were raising our youngster, there was no better place than the library to begin her education.
Continue north to NW 39th Avenue and lunch at One Love Cafe. I especially enjoy it for lunch; and their Pork BBQ is different from ordinary; seems more healthy. P.S., they make great baked beans. This restaurant sits directly inside Magnolia Park. Being surrounded, the park makes this restaurant a family and pet favorite.
In my opinion, it is ultra California, super laid back, easy going and has inside seating, covered seating on the terrace, or outside seating on the patio. It also features a fire pit and have live entertainment on weekends. This area has many popular eating spots with in a few blocks; like Crafty Bastards for a great burger and beer, and Chinese or Korean.
Now head North on Millhopper Road to the Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. It closes at sunset. There you can have a mountain-top experience, looking down into the Devil’s Millhopper. Climbing down those stairs is much easier than climbing up! This is a very large dry — not water filled — sinkhole more than 100 feet deep with cascading waterfalls crashing down into the pit.
There are other parks in the Millhopper Area including one with a skateboard ramp, and the Hammock State Park which is beautifully wooded, and puts on quite the color show in the fall . It is just out Millhopper Rd which is a designated scenic road.
By the way, know what a millhopper is? Look it up!
