Originally Posted by Little River

[EDIT NOTE: Don't know why but the pictures are not coming up. I used the window where one enters the picture's "http" but as you can see they come as links not pictures. My apologies.

Any help appreciated!]

I hope it's OK to repeat a post you've done at another forum . . . if, not, moderator delete.

This trail is easy, essentially no hills, hardly any curves. Great for a family outing if everyone in the family can take it in the seat. It's about 16 miles one way. I do the trail while my wife shops in Tally.

Historical sign at the Tallahassee trailhead showing part of the original railway

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...trailheada.jpg
The Tallahassee - St. Marks State Trail was the first rail to trail project in the state of Florida. Leaving the busy Florida capital you'll end up in the sleepy little coastal town of St. Marks at the junction of the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers. A round trip will add about 32-33 miles on your speedometer.

Typical trail scenes

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rktypicalb.jpg
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/MeanBone/Bicycle/TallMarkwarnsign.jpg/IMG]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...llMarkoaks.jpg
A two lane dirt trail to . . . where.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rtroadcows.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...trailhead.jpg?

Horse Trail

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...horsetrail.jpg
As you can see it is a mostly straight flat paved trail with an accompanying horse trail along side that ventures onto the main trail at intermittant but very brief intervals. I haven't seen any horse poop so horses must be rare.

Public facilities for water and bathroom breaks are available and reasonably clean.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...acilitiesa.jpg

A ballpark with facilities.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...acilitiesb.jpg
Arrival in St. Marks provides a nice break during the ride. If you're a newbie and still breaking in your rear end you'll appreciate it.

There are a couple of small redneck looking restaurants near the water and another nicer one just a few blocks north. I've never eaten in any of them so I can't comment on the food.

Eatin' places near the water.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ersideCafe.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...verCantina.jpg

If you've been to St. Marks and eaten seafood chances are you were at Posey's. It, too, looked redneck and was famous. That's right, I said was. Sadly, Posey's was flooded during a hurricane and is no longer with us :sad: . I've had some very good meals at Posey's.

Originally Posted by Little River

Here's all that remains.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rkolPoseys.jpg

There's some pretty scenery in St. Marks.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...iverdocksa.jpg
Local fishfinder?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...findercrop.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...lMarkyatch.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...llMarkdock.jpg

As you can see this is old Florida. I did, however, see a three or four story highrise residence going up so this may be changing. :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...Markcannon.jpg

The junction of the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers provided a strategic site for multiple forts over the centuries.

Here is an artist's rendition of what one of the earliest forts may have looked like. This is looking south toward the gulf. St. Marks grew up about a half mile east (left) of this site.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...lMarkmural.jpg

You can easily spend 30 minutes to an hour looking at the ruins and exhibits.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rkfortwalk.jpg
You'll find some interesting stuff, here.

All in all a very laid back easy to do trail. Dogs have never been a problem for me. I see'em in a yard or two but not loose (so far). Later in the afternoon you'll people out walking, cycling or rollerblading. Most are not going the full distance. You will see the occasional Tally rider zooming through pounding out some miles.

There is also the Munson Hills Offroad Trail just south of the Tallahassee trailhead. It's about 7-8 miles of rolling terrain. I'll have to get out the old Rockhopper and report back