The great loop - bridges now open !!!

[twoplanekid]

I am now a looper. I took good friends on a golf cart sightseeing adventure starting at our house in Lake Deaton. They had never crossed 44 on the new Chitty Chatty Bridge so we crossed the bridge to continue on the multimodal trails to soon be traveling on the north side of the Florida Turnpike. There is a small golf cart round about just before the bridge over the turnpike. As workmen were working on the bridge, we continued on the golf cart path to head north for the Brownwood bridge over 44. We keep going to cross that bridge and the other to end up in Brownwood. Starting out, I didn’t expect to accomplish the great loop today.

Total millage was 20 miles.

[Bilyclub]

So the cart path is now open past Bradford heading along Warm Springs by the Turnpike?

[twoplanekid]

So the cart path is now open past Bradford heading along Warm Springs by the Turnpike?

The tunnel under Warm Springs is open to allow you to continue to follow Meggison Road! The golf cart path is open all the way to Brownwood!

[Kahuna32162]

Pardon my ignorance, but can you get from Feney to Brownwood yet (we live up north by Lopez) Those homes were all built first.

[twoplanekid]

Pardon my ignorance, but can you get from Feney to Brownwood yet (we live up north by Lopez) Those homes were all built first.

No, as the bridge across the Florida Turnpike is not yet open for use. You now can travel across both bridges that cross 44 to see all of the new Village areas north of the Turnpike. It's interesting to make the loop as I did it.

[Smitty2022]

How long did it take?

[N44125]

Any chance a talented Villager could produce a map for us who are directionally challenged?

[Kenswing]

The tunnel under Warm Springs is open to allow you to continue to follow Meggison Road! The golf cart path is open all the way to Brownwood!
So when I pick up my cart in Brownwood I'll be able to take the Brownwood bridge and follow Meggison all the way to St. Catherine?

[twoplanekid]

Any chance a talented Villager could produce a map for us who are directionally challenged?

Something like this for me starting and ending in the Village of Lake Deaton!

[twoplanekid]

So when I pick up my cart in Brownwood I'll be able to take the Brownwood bridge and follow Meggison all the way to St. Catherine?

The route to take to St. Catherine said closed but we saw golf carts coming from that cart path that said closed. So, you may be able to go to St. Catherine. Things change within hours.

[Kenswing]

The route to take to St. Catherine said closed but we saw golf carts coming from that cart path that said closed. So, you may be able to go to St. Catherine. Things change within hours.
Thank you. We still have a couple months so I would imagine we'll be able to do it legally by then.

[twoplanekid]

Thank you. We still have a couple months so I would imagine we'll be able to do it legally by then.

All of the golf cart paths that we used today were open in that we did not take paths with signs saying closed such as the path to St. Catherine.

[Mortal1]

Perhaps you could use "circular" as "looper" is already taken...it's someone who's a caddie in golf.

[twoplanekid]

Perhaps you could use "circular" as "looper" is already taken...it's someone who's a caddie in golf.

was thinking more along these lines -> Home - America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (https://www.greatloop.org/)

[twoplanekid]

Video taken by Karen D. of the trip now on YouTube

The great loop from one bridge to another in The Villages - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxsuMoTd2x4&feature=youtu.be)

[thelegges]

This morning at 9am the group First to Cross the Brownwood Bridge was assembled. Hats, shirts, signs, and part of the ribbon cutting. We were asked to keep it quiet until after crossing.
The article will be in the Sun tomorrow. We were 2nd to cross. Nice opening with staff, Daily Sun, photographs, and video. Jennifer Parr along with those involved with the venture, was there to cut the ribbon. From Brownwood Bridge over to Chitty Chatty and back to Brownwood was 57 minutes.

All the golf carts traveled from Brownwood to Chitty Chatty and then to their homes. Those with cameras attached to their golf carts ventured back to Brownwood for camera return.
Path was open to anyone who discovered, after opening. Official announcement will be Christmas Eve Morning in the Daily Sun.

[pklein9747]

We went out this afternoon to take a ride on this beautiful day. Decided to go over the Chitty Chatty Bridge again as we've only headed that way once. Was surprised that we could travel further than we did a month ago...then we went further, and further, and further. Started to wonder where we were and if we were even allowed to be there. Imagine our surprise when we wound up at the Brownwood Bridge and it was open! Over we went and were delighted to be somewhere we knew! Took about an hour from Hadley to Brownwood this way.

It is truly amazing to see how much land TV will be developing over the next year or so.

[Rwirish]

Life south of 44 is so exciting!

[rustyp]

I am now a looper. I took good friends on a golf cart sightseeing adventure starting at our house in Lake Deaton. They had never crossed 44 on the new Chitty Chatty Bridge so we crossed the bridge to continue on the multimodal trails to soon be traveling on the north side of the Florida Turnpike. There is a small golf cart round about just before the bridge over the turnpike. As workmen were working on the bridge, we continued on the golf cart path to head north for the Brownwood bridge over 44. We keep going to cross that bridge and the other to end up in Brownwood. Starting out, I didn’t expect to accomplish the great loop today.

Total millage was 20 miles.

I love your idea of calling it the great loop. For you non boaters look up the Great Loop. It is basically a route that goes down the Mississippi then over to Florida, up the intercostal waterway and across the great lakes. Quite an accomplishment. People who have done this are in a club of their own. They fly flags on their boats signifying this even.


Let's start our own Great Loopers club here in TV. But we need rules to earn a pennant to fly on our golf carts. I'll start

1 Route is the Historic side (TBD a destination like Orange Blossom swimming pool) to wherever the farthest point south is now and encompasses the farthest east and west trails like Morse and Buena Vista.
2 Route must be completed in a day

[JerseyGurl]

Great video. Thank you.

[Joeint]

Those of us in the Fenney area are still on the island with nowhere to go and nowhere to shop...

[avpoche]

Thank you for the video trip from Lake Denton! I plan to bike this same route later this morning!

[Heytubes]

Buy the Villages GPS app. The free one isn’t any good compared to the one you purchase.

[coconutmama]

So when I pick up my cart in Brownwood I'll be able to take the Brownwood bridge and follow Meggison all the way to St. Catherine?

Yes!

[thelegges]

Those of us in the Fenney area are still on the island with nowhere to go and nowhere to shop...

Well we have places to shop, within 5 minutes from our home, and drive 15minutes to Fresh Market or 1.5 hours to a TJ’s. We leave the bubble to shop 90% of the time, of things we don’t ship to the house.

When we first started coming here we had the grocery in LSL that for us by golf cart was 20 minutes. Most of the square was empty store fronts.

We drove our car to SS where the area was established. Every resident who moves to a new area starts the same as you, until population of the area can support shopping.

[photo1902]

Well we have places to shop, within 5 minutes from our home, and drive 15minutes to Fresh Market or 1.5 hours to a TJ’s. We leave the bubble to shop 90% of the time, of things we don’t ship to the house.

When we first started coming here we had the grocery in LSL that for us by golf cart was 20 minutes. Most of the square was empty store fronts.

We drove our car to SS where the area was established. Every resident who moves to a new area starts the same as you, until population of the area can support shopping.

Exactly right. I want to know where people moved from that had grocery stores within a 30 second drive of their house. From Fenney, there are 4 Publix within a 15 minute drive, as well as Winn Dixie, Aldi's, Lowe's, numerous restaurants, drug stores, etc.

[Borkis]

Can’t believe the people that took the chance and moved south of 44 to the Fenney area first still don’t have golf cart access to the rest of the villages and the latest part to built out does. Unbelievable and such a phony sales job we got when we built down here. Connectivity for us is going to be over a year later than we were told it would be.

[dewilson58]

Can’t believe the people that took the chance and moved south of 44 to the Fenney area first still don’t have golf cart access to the rest of the villages and the latest part to built out does.
Many weren't / aren't concerned about connectivity.

[ts12755]

So you did not go over the Turnpike?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

The loop needs some better names . . . how about for a bit of alliteration

the brownwood bridge to
the meggison multi modal motorway to
the southern circle to
up to the forty four flyover to
the hillsborough highway

[kada328]

[QUOTE=N44125;1876943]Any chance a talented Villager could produce a map for us who are directionally challenged?[/QUOTE

See attached pdf file of Brownwood Bridge loop

[Altavia]

The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community (https://www.thevillages.com/whatsnew/lifestyle/brownwood-bridge-now-open?b3x=1&ldstok=lQOU9CCpKPuusE3qQ9aFw4aQFVMWkFA%2FjjNhWJ86Q GxInAhr0husYfHPgApWeFZPArzNrzPLUBh7lA8kEr3IRA%3D%3 D)

https://cdn2.thevillages.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Go-For-A-Holiday-Golf-Car-Ride-PrinterFriendly.pdf

[richb9v]

Not yet. You still have to wait till early 2021. I feel your pain all the way in MG.

[Pat2015]

Coming soon, but it has definitely been a very long wait down there!

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Many weren't / aren't concerned about connectivity. and many of us don’t have a golf cart and never cared about when the bridges opened but now that they are I’ll enjoy riding my bike over them and for all those people who worry about all the things we don’t have please stop worrying WE LIKE IT OUT HERE

[Funkman]

Those of us in the Fenney area are still on the island with nowhere to go and nowhere to shop...

Don't worry 'little buddy' the Professor is building a radio out of coconuts. It won't be long before we'll be able to contact the Loopers and we'll all be rescued :a040:

[Lottoguy]

Brownwood Bridge opens as residents make first crossings | News | The Villages Daily Sun | thevillagesdailysun.com (https://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/villages/brownwood-bridge-opens-as-residents-make-first-crossings/article_4783dd52-45aa-11eb-9e89-1f4b54e3a293.html)

[Plain&peanut]

You can get to Marsh Bend from Fenney.
Publix is supposed to open in a couple months as well in Magnolia Plaza.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Those of us in the Fenney area are still on the island with nowhere to go and nowhere to shop... no more then 10 to 20 minutes to multiple restaurants and grocery stores please let this 82 year old help you , I go to bonefish restaurant at least twice a week Fenney resident

[JoeinFL]

Well we have places to shop, within 5 minutes from our home, and drive 15minutes to Fresh Market or 1.5 hours to a TJ’s. We leave the bubble to shop 90% of the time, of things we don’t ship to the house.

When we first started coming here we had the grocery in LSL that for us by golf cart was 20 minutes. Most of the square was empty store fronts.

We drove our car to SS where the area was established. Every resident who moves to a new area starts the same as you, until population of the area can support shopping.

Fenney has had the population to support shopping for over 2 years.

Your comment sounds like something people tell their kids. “When I was you age, we had to walk up hill in the snow both ways to school “. :)
Merry Christmas. 🎅

[JoeinFL]

Sure. Come pick me up on your golf cart in Fenney. Drive us to Bonefish in your cart and I’ll buy your dinner. :)

[Luckytwo]

Those of us in the Fenney area are still on the island with nowhere to go and nowhere to shop...

You can get from Fenney with golf cart to Marsh Bend and from there to cross the Brownwood bridge.

[photo1902]

You can get from Fenney with golf cart to Marsh Bend and from there to cross the Brownwood bridge.

Not quite yet :)

[mgkw1]

How sad that Fenny (the first village south of 44) still has no access via cart

[Kevinwitgen@yahoo.com]

Nope, not yet

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Sure. Come pick me up on your golf cart in Fenney. Drive us to Bonefish in your cart and I’ll buy your dinner. :)
In 5 different homes in villages , I even lived at the Bay Hill Country Club and didn’t have one , but now I can ride my bike to Brownwood if I choose , like Mark Twain said golf is a long walk spoiled or s like that lol

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Now that he bridge is open will have all you tourist coming over and finding out how nice it is out here your right how sad for us

[Villages Kahuna]

If you’re from Michigan’s upper peninsula you can call yourself a Yooper Looper!

[laboutj]

With both bridges being open, is there a reason to go south of 44 other than checking out neighborhoods? Not being a wise guy, but right now can you get to any golf courses?

[Velvet]

It is an amazing bridge. Very happy we finally got here. Now, I’m looking forwards to the other new bridges.

[Joeint]

You can get from Fenney with golf cart to Marsh Bend and from there to cross the Brownwood bridge.

Wrong

[twoplanekid]

With both bridges being open, is there a reason to go south of 44 other than checking out neighborhoods? Not being a wise guy, but right now can you get to any golf courses?

No on the golf but you can now get to the UF Health The Villages® Hospital Freestanding ER on Meggison road south side of 44 by golf cart if not in a hurry. :icon_wink:

[bagboy]

We just did the loop this afternoon. Twenty five miles in total from our home. I think the turnpike bridge is only 2 miles from Brownwood, or about 10 minutes. I don't think it will take very long to get from Brownwood to Fenney, the southern golf, and the food trucks. There were quite a few people in golf carts checking the route out also.

[tophcfa]

With both bridges being open, is there a reason to go south of 44 other than checking out neighborhoods? Not being a wise guy, but right now can you get to any golf courses?

What golf courses? I will do the loop when some Championship golf finally opens up, whenever that will be?

[VApeople]

With both bridges being open, is there a reason to go south of 44 other than checking out neighborhoods?

The neighborhoods south of 44 and north of the Turnpike have some great walking/biking trails.

Trails like these do not exist anywhere else in The Villages. That is why we go to the Southern Area a lot.

[JoMar]

Fenney has had the population to support shopping for over 2 years.

Your comment sounds like something people tell their kids. “When I was you age, we had to walk up hill in the snow both ways to school “. :)
Merry Christmas. 🎅

Now that's just wrong.....Fenney never had the population to support shopping and still doesn't. It takes the other Villages below 44 to maybe maybe attract businesses. Still a lot of empties in the area, density isn't easy to get and justify a business.

[Trishakaye]

So the cart path is now open past Bradford heading along Warm Springs by the Turnpike?

Yes, took a ride today

[JoMar]

Fenney has had the population to support shopping for over 2 years.

Your comment sounds like something people tell their kids. “When I was you age, we had to walk up hill in the snow both ways to school “. :)
Merry Christmas. 🎅

Now that's just wrong.....Fenney never had the population to support shopping and still doesn't. It takes the other Villages below 44 to maybe attract businesses and while they may trickle in it will still take awhile.

[tophcfa]

The neighborhoods south of 44 and north of the Turnpike have some great walking/biking trails.

Trails like these do not exist anywhere else in The Villages. That is why we go to the Southern Area a lot.

Can you bring your dog on the walking trails? If so, that would be worth the long drive.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

The neighborhoods south of 44 and north of the Turnpike have some great walking/biking trails.
Trails like these do not exist anywhere else in The Villages. That is why we go to the Southern Area a lot.

Exactly! There are a few amenities only in Southern Oaks, like quick access to the turnpike to Orlando, a walking trail around gator heaven, a multi modal field :MOJE_whot: and closer to the equator for star gazing

:popcorn:

[VApeople]

Can you bring your dog on the walking trails?

Yes, of course.

Of course, everyone expects that your dog will be on a leash at all times. That is why some of the walkers carry metal-tipped hiking sticks to defend themselves from all animals, including dogs.

[VApeople]

Fenney has had the population to support shopping for over 2 years.


Hey, you gotta a Dollar General in Coleman. How much more do you want??

[Tigger915]

Those of us in the Fenney area are still on the island with nowhere to go and nowhere to shop...

Yes. It’s a real slap in the face to those of us who bought about three years ago and still are not connected.
Bet the Developers lose no sleep and count the cash that those in District 12 paid to line their lying pockets!
Just move up the connectivity dates every few months and everything is fine.....not.

[JoeinFL]

Now that's just wrong.....Fenney never had the population to support shopping and still doesn't. It takes the other Villages below 44 to maybe maybe attract businesses. Still a lot of empties in the area, density isn't easy to get and justify a business.

Have you shopped at the Publix at lake Deaton? That’s where most people down here are forced to shop. That’s if you only want to drive 15 minutes. It’s typically very crowded. When the new one and the rest of the stores open down here, they will do very well. Unless poorly managed.

[vintageogauge]

I live in Fenney and am not excited about the soon to open turnpike bridge as it will just bring more congestion down here and I have no plans on going north in our golf car. However, Megisson Road being open is another story, it will take a lot of traffic from our end of Warm Springs and 301 which is the route I prefer when going north.

[vintageogauge]

Have you shopped at the Publix at lake Deaton? That’s where most people down here are forced to shop. That’s if you only want to drive 15 minutes. It’s typically very crowded. When the new one and the rest of the stores open down here, they will do very well. Unless poorly managed.

It's only 10 minutes to Publix in Brownwood from Fenney.

[thelegges]

Have you shopped at the Publix at lake Deaton? That’s where most people down here are forced to shop. That’s if you only want to drive 15 minutes. It’s typically very crowded. When the new one and the rest of the stores open down here, they will do very well. Unless poorly managed.

No one is forced to shop anywhere. Free will (and products I want to buy) allows us to drive to Trader Joe’s, or Costco, yet we drive there every couple of weeks, more than an hour each way. Not a fan of Publix.

It’s funny everyone says the same about every grocery here, no matter where in the villages. Always over crowded, no stock, no parking.
Best part is when Magnolia opens, many will drive more than 15 minutes from other villages to shop, the new grocery to get away from the crowds. :popcorn:

[Neils]

Maybe call the loop Rt 66. Connected the east and west by car

[Dgizzi]

The tunnel under Warm Springs is open to allow you to continue to follow Meggison Road! The golf cart path is open all the way to Brownwood!
Yea real nice they opened those up for the newer development but us here in Monarch Grove that have lived in over a year and longer still have to wait for our bridge! Love how the villages did that!

[Bogie Shooter]

Yes. It’s a real slap in the face to those of us who bought about three years ago and still are not connected.
Bet the Developers lose no sleep and count the cash that those in District 12 paid to line their lying pockets!
Just move up the connectivity dates every few months and everything is fine.....not.
Not happy? Consider your options.......

[twoplanekid]

I noticed the Loop map was a full page (A14) in the The Village Daily Sun today (Christmas Day). :icon_wink:

Someone must be reading Talk of The Villages. :)

[JoMar]

I live in Fenney and am not excited about the soon to open turnpike bridge as it will just bring more congestion down here and I have no plans on going north in our golf car. However, Megisson Road being open is another story, it will take a lot of traffic from our end of Warm Springs and 301 which is the route I prefer when going north.

I'm confused, are you complaining that people will come down there to shop? Isn't that's what's necessary for retail to be successful and stay open? Or did I misunderstand?

[kcrazorbackfan]

Took our two fur babies and made the drive from Bradford to Brownwood and back today.

Beautiful drive; did see a palm tree blown over the 2nd entrance to the Village of Hawkins.

[vintageogauge]

I'm confused, are you complaining that people will come down there to shop? Isn't that's what's necessary for retail to be successful and stay open? Or did I misunderstand?

You misunderstood, there is no where to shop down here so they will just add to congestion on the golf car and walking trails. You can come down Megisson to shop once their are stores to shop in.

[JoMar]

You misunderstood, there is no where to shop down here so they will just add to congestion on the golf car and walking trails. You can come down Megisson to shop once their are stores to shop in.

Thanks....once the novelty ends I suspect the area will reach a local consistency. Might be April :)

[rzinski]

The trial is well signed. Just follow the arrows on the signs

[thelegges]

The trial is well signed. Just follow the arrows on the signs

Road closed signs will be a suggestion for some:a040:

[Dgizzi]

Pardon my ignorance, but can you get from Feney to Brownwood yet (we live up north by Lopez) Those homes were all built first.
No we can’t yet and yea that isn’t fair the “new” development got their bridges before us!

[thelegges]

No we can’t yet and yea that isn’t fair the “new” development got their bridges before us!

The Approval for Water Lilly bridge over the turnpike took the longest to complete. Bridge couldn’t be moved even though it was sitting in place waiting. But you are correct it isn’t fair. If developer thought like you they wouldn’t have open up Chitty Chatty, and Brownwood first, just because they were approved first, moved over the road and the work could start..:faint:

Even though bridges were done, would you wanted them kept closed until all bridges were completed, and open on the same day? (Sarcasm Sign)

Would that option made you happier, on who got to open their Toy first.:a040: probably not but, pouting rarely get your toys any faster.

[carlanddiane]

Is Meggison open for automobiles from Warm Springs to Brownwood?

[vintageogauge]

Is Meggison open for automobiles from Warm Springs to Brownwood?

We drove it yesterday morning, nice stretch of road. It's about 4 miles from Warm Springs to the Paddock Square entrance. From our home in Fenney it is faster to go up 301. It will help with the traffic on Warm Springs as a lot of it will go north on Megisson to 44 east or west.

[xkeowner]

According to today's Daily Sun the Brownwood bridge will open at a later date.

[BevieK]

:pray::pray::pray::pray::pray::pray:😔😔😔Pa rdon my ignorance, but can you get from Feney to Brownwood yet (we live up north by Lopez) Those homes were all built first.

[Chi-Town]

If The Villages grew north to south with connectivity along the way there would be a lot fewer discussions.

[JerryLBell]

My wife and I took the drive yesterday and it's obvious that when the landscaping is finished, it's going to be a gorgeous drive. It's also obvious that they are packing a LOT of houses quite close to the turnpike and don't seem to be doing a great deal for noise abatement. It'll bee too noisy for us, but it will still be very attractive.

As far as driving the multi-modal paths clear down to Fenney (once the Water Lily bridge is open), that's going to be quite a long drive for us as it is so very NOT straight. It meanders all over the place and even once you get over the Water Lily bridge, it's far from a direct path from there to Fenney. If you want to get there in anything like a reasonable time from north of 44, you'd best stick with a car and the roads. If you're looking for a leisurely way to spend a couple of hours, you will be able to do that by cart or even bicycle. And hey, we're all retired so none of us are in a hurry, are we?

[SugarBear]

The great loop? Lol

[Marathon Man]

No we can’t yet and yea that isn’t fair the “new” development got their bridges before us!

So, I guess those living in Monarch Grove should wait a full year to use any of the bridges in order to fair to those who live in Fenney.

[Smitty2022]

Took our two fur babies and made the drive from Bradford to Brownwood and back today.

Beautiful drive; did see a palm tree blown over the 2nd entrance to the Village of Hawkins.

How long did it take?