Narrow Multi-Modal Paths
 

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.

Taking Micro Track/ Rolling Acres is an easy way to avoid a lot of the roundabouts when heading North by car. At least for now, until new planned developments are up.

The wooden plank bridge that goes over the swamp next to the Morse gate - the one where you have to stop at the driveway to the church before proceeding. That one is scary when it's raining. The big bridge into the Historic Section is fun though. My dad LOVED it, it's like a mini roller coaster!

I like the narrow lanes. It means people are less likely to pass me going 25 or more in their "tweaked" golf carts. I worry less about being run off the road, or being side-swiped, or having to deal with someone coming TOWARD us while someone is trying to pass me. Because we all tend to be more careful, and more considerate. We are more careful and more considerate because if we refuse to be, it could easily end up in death.

We live close enough to Spanish Springs to make the trip in a golf cart but we stay away also because the lanes are too narrow for us to feel comfortable. We did, however, make the trip from Mallory Square once in our cart. It wasn't raining at the time so going over the small wooden bridge was lovely. Going over the 441 bridge was a hoot as I love roller coasters. I screamed "wheeeeeeeeeee" as we descended to the historic section and did the same thing on the way back to the other side of 441.

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You do realize that the Orange Blossom Oort is 10+ miles away from Orange Blossom Hills???

Morse’s second law of MMPs: Your perception of narrow lanes is inversely proportional to your driving skills

The MMP that borders the car lanes, on the bridge that takes you on Morse, between SLS and 466 is a tad narrow. And with the car traffic whizzing by a few feet from the northbound lane, I refer to the whole edifice as "The Bridge of Death". Since we live "between the 6s" and my favorite championship course is Tierra del Sol, I travel it fairly often.

I am more comfortable with it than I was at first, but I am still happy to have it behind me when I cross it.

Traveling North of 44 and the "6's"
 

On a nice sunny day, try traveling up Buena Vista to Mulberry, grab lunch at the Back Porch, and head back. The paths are wider, there are no narrow bridges and only a few low ceiling tunnels. The path under 466, starting at Laurel Manor, and leading to the Saddlebrook Rec. Center, is very beautiful and tree lined.

Coming back, turn right at the Calumet gate and right, again, on Clearview, and that will take you to the First Responder's Rec. Center.

If you want to go to Spanish Springs, via Buena Vista, follow El Comino Real, just past the Savanah Rec. Center, and it will lead you there (the long way around!).

If you do venture up Morse again, trying going to the south end of Mira Mesa, there's a path that leads to the athletic fields and driving range on Rolling Acres.

Exploring The Villages is fun!

We call that the "Causeway of Certain Death".

Other names going from the end of the causeway to the start of Morse north of 466 are:

"Turtle Tunnel" (under 466) - had to rescue a turtle there once
"Toad's Wild Ride" - the sharp turn and uphill section out of that tunnel
"Cutty Corner" - the newish twisty section where carts always cut the blind corner
"Possum Crossing" - leading on to the bridge - ghostly possum crossed our path one evening
"Bridge on the River Kwai"

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You can't get to OB Opry by golf cart and isn't part of a Villages multi-modal path, so it really has nothing to do with this topic at all.

While they're in a roundabouts, getting behind someone on the single lane road that's going 25 to 30 miles an hour is excruciating.

The situation north of 466 on Morse Boulevard has been replicated further south from you below Sawgrass Grove. Trucks routinely go 60+ miles an hour and there is no traffic control for more than 4 miles

And speed.