COASTAL TRAIL IS COMPLETE

Editor, The Sun:

What began as the GF&A trail in 1991 from Sopchoppy to Tallahassee birthed fully this week wearing different clothes and a longer stride the day after Valentine’s Day.  The Coastal trail, a part of the Capitol to the Sea trail system from Sopchoppy to Tallahassee, was completed.
The last concrete was poured and in a ceremony not much unlike when the East and West coast railroads met in Promontory, Utah May 10th, 1869 and joined the east and west coasts forever by rail, we joined our community together by trails.
The coastal trail is part of a trail network funded by monies that are fiercely competitive, and can only be used on trails.
I call it the trail of irony, or the tale of irony. After many attempted abortions and sterilizations, good overcame bat sh@# crazy for once.
I could write it all up as it happened but nobody would ever believe it.
Final trimmings are underway and already many many riders are populating the one and only towns in the world, Sopchoppy and Panacea. Its 50 miles and is for everyone on foot, cycle, with dog, kid, wheelchair or fishing rods. There are 2 Redfish holes along the trail—you have got to find them yourselves.
Thanks and persistence are due many people including our county commissioners about 50 of them. CRTPA, FDOT, Sun Trails. As well as many now deceased people and others hoping to recover in nursing homes to finally use the trail. 32 years in the making but worth the wait.

Robert Seidler
Sopchoppy