On the Road – Page 6

Manatee Festival in Crystal River

January 18, 2016 by KTgreen

Saturday was a beautiful sunny and warm day so we went to the Manatee Festival in Crystal River. Along with 100,000 other people.

That festival was huge. It was spread from Heritage Village all the way to the river at Hunters Springs Park. And every inch of that area was filled with people.

During the manatee festival there’s a free bus ride to the Three Sisters Springs which we love to visit.

Here’s the line for the bus….

Yeah, we weren’t waiting in that.

I had read in the newspaper that they were allowing walkers and bicyclist in just for this weekend so we drove over the to plaza closest to the gate, and walked to the Spring.

Well worth the little extra stroll.

Although it was a warm day, there were many manatees hanging out in the area. Just catching the rays. There were a lot of swimmers and snorkelers, too, but unlike past years, they weren’t in the actual springs area. I thought that was pretty cool.

Next Open House for Three Sisters Springs is in February. Otherwise you can catch a bus at the Visitor Center on US-19 just south of Crystal River and pay $15 for a ride and entrance into the park.

Marker 48 Brewing

January 11, 2016 by KTgreen

Thanks to my niece Michelle, her husband Jon, and son William, we’ve been introduced to a new fun place that’s only about half an hour away.

Marker 48 Brewing

Just head south on US-19 and hang a left on Highway 50. The brewery is in the area of Highpoint.

Although I drink a bunch of beer and every different kind, I really don’t know one from the other, so I’m just going to post a ton of photos from our visit.

Fortunately for us, Terry doesn’t like beer so we could have fun and he could safely drive us!

Jes liked it. Could my daughter be old enough to drink beer? — Jes liked it. Hey, wait a minute, could my daughter be old enough to drink beer?

Marker 48 Brewing — The bar. It’s got a chilled panel down the center. So your beer won’t get warm while you take snaps of it for FB.

See? I think Andrew's doing FB or instagram of that beer! — See? Andrew’s doing FB or instagram of that beer!

dogs — The place is dog-friendly. Several pooches came through while we were there.

There's an outdoor area for you to enjoy your brew. Or play with your dog. It was REALLY hot out there so we stayed inside and enjoyed the cool AC. — There’s an outdoor area for you to enjoy your brew. Or play with your dog. It was REALLY hot out there so we stayed inside and enjoyed the cool AC.

This little one wants to come in and bask in the AC, too. — This little one wants to come in and bask in the coolness, too.

Christmas in Perfect — Michelle, she doesn’t usually drink beer but she found a brew that was very yummy.

the whole gang — The whole gang. Eating. They don’t serve food but you are welcome to buy some from the BBQ trailer right outside the door or order pizza from a local place. Which is what we did. Somehow I didn’t get a photo of William, but that’s his back. The place is not only dog-friendly, but kid-friendly, too!

toilet — One last photo. Yes, they also recycle.

My Birthday Trip to Big Shoals State Park

December 14, 2015 by KTgreen

I’ve always considered myself fortunate. And as I near my 60th birthday, I continue to count my blessings.

Terry and I have four beautiful children. All with successful careers and all happily married. Eight beautiful grandkids. All unique and wonderful.

And I have two friends, Donna and Yvonne, that have been with me for over two decades. We started our relationship as co-workers. We didn’t even work in the same office but somehow we hit it off and have been together ever since. My grandniece even asked once how exactly they were part of the family. They’ve been with me through thick and thin.

When Terry and I moved to Houston for a few years back in 1999, Vera joined the group. A welcome addition. Oh, and Vera and Yvonne had worked together. As MERMAIDS at Weeki Wachee. How much fun was that?

We used to celebrate every birthday and then it was just an adventure every quarter and then it turned into a party for every BIG birthday. When I turned 40, it was trip in a limo to a really great French restaurant. At 50 I held my own party and they showed up with a vintage glider. They always know what I want!

So for 60, my birthday trip was to Big Shoals State Park. Cause I’ve turned into an outdoors kind of person that likes to hike.

We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in White Springs. How do I describe the place? Perhaps a little more shabby than chic. But our hostess was very nice and made us a wonderful breakfast the next day. And she had a really cool dog with a bad paw that was a birth defect. Kia Sedona. We bonded.

The B&B owner suggested we go to Stephan Foster State Park. Just to check it out. And then she said, Oh, wait till dark and check out the lights.

What a pleasant surprise!

So much I don’t know. This place encourages makers. People that create things with their own hands and make music.

And they have a folk music festival in the Spring.

Check out this old quilt. Beautiful.

And all of these handmade banjos. Made out of unusual things.

I did some caroling with the fiddler.

This dulcimer couple were playing in my new house.

Just kidding. I tried to convince everyone that this was my new house. They scoffed. Really, I could live here!

The next morning, I snapped some pics of White Springs.

And then on to Big Shoals State Park.

We were hiking to the rapids. A 2.4 mile round trip walk. We had some concern that since the Suwanee River was low, there wouldn’t be any rapids. But we could hear them before we could see them.

Very cool.

Then we drove home. But first we had to stop and get some photos of long-horned cattle, horses and mules.

And then the birthday trip was over. Oh, wait, we did stop at Crackers for lunch. And then I made it to the OHHC meeting. And they sang me happy birthday. Cause it’s my birthday!

And the party continues!