One afternoon a few weeks ago I decided to walk to a coffee/sandwich shop that recently opened in a strip mall a couple of miles from the house. I had been there before and wanted to go back to try something different.
The neighborhood I left behind when I moved to Jacksonville from Seattle had an awesome mix of small businesses within easy walking distance, and I always make an effort to support independent businesses as much as possible. They give our communities character.
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| Spanish Moss Draped Oak Trees |
Distance:
- 3.25 miles (out & back)
- Sidewalks & road shoulders.
- Well-traveled road suitable for walking alone, convenience stops available for beverages & snacks or a full meal, chance to admire newer housing developments & interesting landscaping.
- Leashed according to city ordinances. Be a good neighbor and bag waste.
- Not a suitable means of transportation to The Early Spot, but part of the route is a good outing.
- Tour housing developments with a low traffic profile off Yellow Bluff Road & Alta Road.
The Walk
- Let's just say for the purposes of this blog that I started my walk at Walgreen's at the intersection of New Berlin Road & Yellow Bluff Road. Actually, it was a farther distance away, but I choose not to disclose my home address on the internet. I am sure you understand.
- I followed Yellow Bluff Road heading south toward Faye Road & 9A taking time to admire the nicely landscaped entrances to housing developments as I walked along.
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| Beautiful Landscaping |
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| Stunningly Colorful Coleus |
- Eventually, I came to one of my favorite points of the walk...a bridge crossing over a beautiful estuary that is a tributary of the St. Johns River. It is possibly part of Dunn's Creek. I had been walking on the east side (left) of Yellow Bluff Road and crossed over to the west side because the sidewalk was ending. There is a pedestrian walkway over the bridge creating a safety barrier from traffic on both sides, but there is some overhanging vegetation on the east side that is a bit annoying. I did take photos looking toward the east before crossing to the west side. The views from the bridge are awesome!
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| Estuary on Yellow Bluff Road |
- Past the bridge, Yellow Bluff Road become Alta Drive. There is a large industrial park called NorthPoint located on Port Jacksonville Parkway that cuts through to a quite rural section of New Berlin Road. The walk can easily be extended at this point for a really long workout, but I continued along Alta Drive. The route takes on a more wooded look from here to where The Early Spot is located. There are more beautiful plants and trees.
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| Wooded Lot on Alta Drive |
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| Pampas Grass |
- Pampas Grass lines the border of the yard where the sidewalk ends, but I was able to continue walking along the wide shoulder for awhile. This put me in the vicinity of Aldersgate Road. The shoulder does get more narrow before arriving at The Early Spot, so I eventually crossed to the east side to be safely facing traffic for a short distance until I got there. Traffic can be heavy here because there are on/off ramps for 9A beyond Faye Road.
- The Early Spot is located at 2467 Faye Road. I like to have something to eat or drink at one of the cozy tables, but takeout is popular for people on their way to work or on a quick lunch break. Visit them online at: http://www.theearlyspot.com/
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| The Early Spot |
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| Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Provolone |
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| Hip Artwork at The Early Spot |
- I finished my tasty lunch and headed back to my starting point managing to see more interesting things along the way. My eye for detail allows me to see beauty in unusual things, something I hope will be pleasant for you.
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| Graphic Art Courtesy of JEA |
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| Keep the Animals Safe |
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| Lantana |
Happy Walking!
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