Gainesville, Florida: Humidity, Alligators, and Questionable Decisions
okay, so i ended up in *Gainesville, florida. didn't exactly plan on it, honestly. it was a last-minute detour after a gig fell through in Atlanta. i just checked and it's…sticky out there right now, like walking through warm soup. thirteen point two degrees celsius, if you’re into that sort of thing. the air feels like it’s trying to hug you, but it’s a really clingy, unwelcome hug.
I’m a touring session drummer, which means my life is 90% gas station coffee and 10% questionable life choices. This trip is definitely leaning into that 10%. I needed a place to lay low for a few days, recharge, and maybe find a decent drum circle. Gainesville seemed…available.
First impressions? It’s…green. Like, aggressively green. And there are alligators everywhere. Seriously. I was trying to find a good spot to practice, and I swear one was giving me the side-eye from a canal. I quickly relocated. I’ve been checking out local music venues, and there’s a surprisingly vibrant scene. I stumbled into The Top https://www.thetopgville.com/ last night - a dive bar with incredible energy. The sound guy was a legend, and the beer was cheap. What more could a drummer ask for?
I overheard someone at a coffee shop (shoutout to CYM Coffee Co. - seriously good cold brew) saying that the best place to see live music is actually at the University of Florida campus. Apparently, they have a thriving student music scene. I’m thinking of checking it out tonight.
“Don’t go near Paynes Prairie at dusk. That’s when the gators get…ambitious.”
That was a warning from the guy at the gas station. He also told me to avoid the “Swamp Head Brewery” on Tuesdays because “that’s when the college kids get weird.” I’m intrigued, honestly.
I’ve been trying to find some vintage drum parts, but no luck so far. I did find a cool record store, though - Loosey’s https://looseysrecords.com/. Spent way too much money on vinyl. No regrets. The people here are…interesting. Very laid-back, very friendly, and very obsessed with the Gators (the football team, not the reptiles, although I suspect there’s overlap). If you get bored, Ocala and St. Augustine are just a short drive away.
Someone told me that the best place to kayak is on Ichetucknee Springs State Park https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g30326-d270344-Reviews-Ichetucknee_Springs_State_Park-Fort_White_Florida.html, but you have to get there early* to avoid the crowds. Apparently, it’s a total tourist trap by midday. I also heard that the food at Satchel’s Pizza is legendary, but be prepared to wait in line. Yelp reviews seem to confirm this https://www.yelp.com/biz/satchels-pizza-gainesville.
I’m starting to think Gainesville is growing on me. It’s weird, it’s humid, and there are definitely things trying to eat you, but it’s also…real. It’s not trying to be anything it’s not. And honestly, after a life on the road, that’s a pretty refreshing change of pace. I’m going to go find that drum circle now. Wish me luck (and maybe send bug spray). You can find more info about Gainesville here: https://www.visitgainesville.com/