Traveling with the Top Down

Mermaid Weekend

April 13, 2016 by KTgreen

For 20 years, the “mermaids” have been traveling to Cedar Key just to hang out. And it’s the same weekend as the Cedar Key Arts Festival.

And most of them really are mermaids–as in former performers at the Weeki Wachee Springs Park Mermaid Show.

I’m running names through my head right now. Just to count how many. Vera, Sarah, Catherine, Bonnie, Sue, Helene, Anne, Cheryl, Jean, Yvonne, Donna, Barbara, Rachel, Pam, Ty, Michelle, and Me.

Oh yeah, there was also a poodle.

Once a mermaid, always a mermaid!

(Not me, I’m just a friend of the mermaids. Not even a mermaid wannabe. Do you have any idea what those mermaids have to go through?)

My friends Donna and Yvonne have been going on this weekend adventure for about 17 years. I’m guessing that I’ve probably been there six or seven times. My niece Michelle has been there at least three times. We don’t go every year.

Michelle and Me — Michelle and I. Ready to go!

We stay at Mermaid Landings.

Not a fancy-schmancy place…..

Mermaids Landing

Mermaids Landing is on the market and the owner actually did a bit of fixing up. Like the cabinet doors did not fall off of their hinges on this visit. And all the water heaters were working!

Here's the view of the "Honeymoon Suite" — Here’s the view from the “Honeymoon Suite”

Here’s a picture of a fish in a tree. Oh, wait. There’s an Osprey there, too! This tree was right beside my cottage.

Mermaid Weekend — Our view of low tide from the Honeymoon cottage. During high tide that boat is entirely covered.

Since we were there anyway, and I am helping out with the 2016 Homosassa Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival, I went to the “Old Florida Celebration of the Arts” to check out the scene.

There were many unique artists. I talked to several artists and handed out applications for the Homosassa Festival.

Old Florida Celebration of the Arts

2016_04_09artshow3 Mermaid Weekend

fiber art

I always ask if I can take photos. One artist said no. I had to ask twice because I didn’t believe my ears. Really?

Oh well!

Very jealous of the space Cedar Key has for their entertainment.

Old Florida Celebration of the arts — And the audience gets to rest under this tent or on blankets on the lawn.

It was a GREAT weekend!

Out and About — Roger’s Corvette Center

September 21, 2015 by KTgreen

Here’s some Eye Candy for those Corvette Lovers out there!

Almost New Corvettes

c7 corvette

Old Corvettes

old corvettes

And every year Corvette in between…

Roger's Corvette Center

The Citrus Vettes and Camaro Club took a little driving trip to Maitland, Florida to Roger’s Corvette Center.

car club Here’s the club members. Don’t we look happy surrounded by all those beautiful Corvettes?

Roger's Corvette Center

Mr. Roger (he’s the guy in black) gave us a brief intro and answered questions. He said that most men spend their money by getting married and having children. He stayed single and had Corvettes.

Roger's Corvette Center

So which Corvette should we buy?

The red one?

Roger's Corvette Center The silver one?

Roger's Corvette Center I pick the white one!

Roger's Corvette Center

It has a tan top, Maggie would look good in it.

We went home with our same red Camaro. The only thing we bought was our lunch!

But it was fun dreaming!

Roger's Corvette Center

Out and About: Whispering Oaks

May 5, 2015 by KTgreen

We went to a Blueberry Festival last weekend.

Not the big one in Brooksville, this one was in Oxford, FL. And where is Oxford? On the way to THE VILLAGES! At least that’s what we were told the first time we met some reps from Whispering Oaks in Floral City.

And then they sent me an email about a blueberry festival. It was a beautiful day. Perfect temperature. Sun was shining. We hadn’t planned on going but the shiny red car wanted to get out.

camaro

So we hit the road.

For Oxford. Not the Villages.

Cool barrels for a fence. We must be getting close!

Out and About: Whispering Oaks

And there were blueberries. Grown right there on their farm. And they offer U-Pick. From March through May.

blueberries

Blueberry stomping was scheduled.

And there was entertainment.

duo — I asked them where they were from. The Villages. Of course! And they perform a LOT!

But the big draw was the wine tasting. Yes–Blueberry wine. And it was YUMMY!

Just think, alcohol and healthy with all those antioxidants! Win-Win!

The deal was $7 to get in. But you could use your entry ticket towards a wine tasting, fresh blueberries, or a glass of wine.

Yeah, we went for the glass of wine.

Out and About: Whispering Oaks

There were a few places outside to buy wine, too.

As Terry and I sat and sipped our wine, I pondered where was the wine making “stuff”? And a little adorable worker bee just showed up and said “wine tour in 10 minutes”

So we took the tour.

Out and About: Whispering Oaks

This is our very knowledgeable wine tour guide, Debbie.

Out and About: Whispering Oaks

Debbie explained to us why the goats are so happy. They get the blueberry skins after skimming. 6% alcohol! Sometimes they go for a little stroll.

So I had to check out the goats when we were leaving.

I think the venue would be a great place to have a wedding.

Besides the building that holds the wine tasting, there are a lot of outdoor spaces.

Out and About: Whispering Oaks

Open to the public 7 days a week, there is also entertainment on Saturday. Check out the www.winesofflorida.com for more info. If you just want to try the wine, it’s available at Fresh Markets in the area–even Tampa and Orlando.

It was a fun day!