Enjoying the Gainesville Outdoors: Part 2

Welcome to the sequel in the multi-part series that sees me, the author, attempting to wake you from your winter slumber by telling you a bunch of fun outdoor-ish activities that allow for a fun and adventurous time for people like me. 

This series doesn’t need to be read linearly, but if you haven’t read the first piece then you can do that here. I’ll wait. 

Glad you’re back! Now let’s get up, get out and maybe get buzzed.

Bluefield Estate Winery

Bluefield Estate Winery is a winner of spot if you’re looking for a great reason to experience the North Central Florida outdoor life that doesn’t involve being knee deep in swamp or entombed in mosquitoes.

It’s pretty simple to get to, albeit a bit of a drive if you live anywhere west of Main Street, but it’s definitely worth it. Just hop on Hawthorne Road, head east around Newnan’s Lake and eventually, after a turn onto a very pretty back road, you’ll end up at this picturesque spot.

Owners Jennifer and Bradley Ferguson started what began as a little side project in the summer of 2006 with the blueberries leftover from the commercial harvest on the family farm. Beginning in the comfort of their own kitchen, these two used the good old trial and error method; producing more and more each year that became better and better tasting. They decided to turn commercial to be able to share their product with the world, instead of just their lucky friends, and the world couldn’t be luckier.

They have a selection of five wines made entirely with their blueberries and grapes, and six more that are made with their grapes as well, but with other fruit not grown by the Ferguson’s.

The five originals, I’ll call them, are a dry, semi-sweet and sweet blueberry; as well as a Windsor White and Windsor Red.

All of these wines are delicious in their own right; it just depends on your preference. I’m also not going to say my favorite for a couple reasons: one, because I want you to sample all of the wines you possibly can and talk to the wonderful personality Calissa slinging that booze; two, because I’m sure you don’t care and are going to order based on your preference anyway.

I visited a bit early because the much smaller on-site vineyard is not in bloom (grape season is May thought October, with September being peak production). Stop by now for the wine and stop by then to witness the beautiful vineyard in full bloom (and for the wine, of course).

In short, this place is beautiful, it’s friendly and it has a delicious product. It is a bit of a drive for most of us, but for the booze and the photo ops, it’s definitely worth it.

(P.S. They do specialize in only growing blueberries and muscadine grapes, so don’t go in expecting a pinot noir or a riesling.)

Alfred A. Ring Park

I try to visit a new park or outdoor area every weekend. I think Alfred A. Ring is my favorite in town. If we go out of town, it’s my friend’s backyard in Archer, but that’s besides the point.

It runs alongside Hogtown Creek for the most part and well, I’ll just let pictures describe the rest.

Satisfied? Well, I’ve seen plenty of joggers if you like to well…jog and plenty of birdwatchers if you like to waste your time.

There are plenty of adorable spots and I even chose to have a picnic by the creek here and it was adorable if I do say so myself.

It’s the only park in Gainesville that I’ve been to more than once and I even have my own little secret spot. If I come by and you’re in my secret spot, I will kick you out and write about you. It’s super dog friendly, has bathrooms if you need them, a flower garden and picnic tables as well. 

I love this place. I love looking at birds. And I love telling you places to go. Thanks for reading and if you made it this far, stay away from my spot.

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