By Marissa Goldberg
Devil’s Millhopper
Fun ideas for physically close but aesthetically far places for a day or a weekend trip to break up any Gainesville cabin fever.
DEVIL’S MILLHOPPER
Devil’s Millhopper will take you from Gainesville to the far reaches of the Old West – all for less than the price of a six-pack of beer. A visit proves to be a stark contradiction of the photos you’d see online (c’mon, everyone pays a virtual visit to a place before actually going there, right?). Google Images visually prepares you for the 200+ step winding staircase, but physically, you’re on your own. That thing’s steep. Plan your visit after a rainstorm for best viewing. Think of the sinkhole as a giant bathtub – if there’s no rain to fill it up, there won’t be much of a waterscape to enjoy.
Cost: $4 per vehicle entry fee
Distance: 15 min. drive downtown; gas money <$5.00
Do: hike, picnic, photography spot
Time: half-day trip
Gear: walking shoes, light clothing
ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS
When the smell of chlorine and pestering lifeguards make a day at the pool a hassle, throw in the towel and head to the beautiful Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Skip your next meal out and put that money toward a stress-free day in the great outdoors. Trust me, when you’re floating down that immense river, the only things you’ll be thinking about are the cool drink in your hand and the wind in your hair.
Cost: $6 per vehicle entry fee; $5 canoeing; $5 tubing
Distance: 45 min. drive from downtown; gas money $15-$20
Do: canoe, kayak, hike, picnic, scuba, snorkel, swim, tubing, photography spot
Time: day trip
Gear: bikinis and swimming trunks (don’t forget sunscreen)
CUMBERLAND ISLAND
Think that Georgia’s just full of peaches and lawn mowers? Well, it kind of is, but it also has a beautiful 18-mile-long barrier island. Take a breather and visit the gorgeous beaches, or take on your wild side and rough it for a few nights of camping. For the skeptics, the island offers both “developed” and “wilderness” camping. Come on, a few days without your iPhone, iPad, iPod, i-anything will be good for you.
Cost: $20 round-trip ferry fee; $4 per person island visit fee; camping fee $4 per person per day
Distance: 2.5 hour drive from downtown; get your friends to chip in on gas money! (Overnight parking on mainland is available)
Do: camp, hike, hunt, fish, beach, private boating, biking, photography spot
Time: weekend trip
Gear: walking shoes, light clothing, swimming gear (don’t forget sunscreen)
GINNIE SPRINGS
Cost: $12 admission fee, $6 for tubing, $10 for 2 hours canoeing
Distance: 45 min. drive from campus; gas money $15-$20
Do: swim, canoe, kayak, snorkel, tubing, scuba diving, picnic, camp, photography spot
Time: day trip
Gear: bikinis and swimming trunks (don’t forget sunscreen)
GAINESVILLE-HAWTHORNE STATE TRAIL
Cost: FREE! (Isn’t that incentive enough?)
Distance: 15 min. drive from campus; gas money <$5.00
Do: hike, bike, fish, horse trail, pet-friendly nature trail
Time: day trip
Gear: light clothing, sturdy walking shoes, lots of water, sunscreen
MEGABUS
Gainesville to Atlanta: $10. When you book over a month in advance on www.megabus.com, you can definitely find round-trip tickets this cheap. The buses are equipped with onboard restrooms, power outlets and free Wi-Fi for the seven-hour journey. You can also nab a cheap ride to Orlando. I strongly recommend searching the site in advance to get the best deal.
Cost: As low as $10 (book early!)
Distance: To Atlanta: 7 hours; to Orlando: 2 hours
Do: Check out Little Ethiopia for a departure from the culinary norm and while you’re in the neighborhood, take a free tour SweetWater Brewery. And don’t miss the weekend markets and eclectic cafe culture of Little 5 Points area. Atlanta’s a big place – there’s plenty to do!
Time: weekend trip
Gear: your weekend bag, entertainment for the ride