Saturday evening we went to Inverness, Small Town Done Right! We had reservations at McLeod’ House Bistro but wanted to take a walk through town to check out what’s new.
We had heard that Fox Den Winery, our favorite wine bar, was closing. The owners were there so we stopped in. Yes. Closed. Didn’t want to renew their lease and are moving to Ocala. Kind of sad.
Most of the same places are open and very busy and there were are a few new spots. Good to see!
Stopped by the The Shed at MacRae’s on Sunday afternoon.
Because Sarasota Slim was there.
One of our favorite bands.
And they were good, as usual.
Sarasota Slim is a huge local favorite. Usually there’s no parking, no place to sit, and long lines at the bar.
Not so this time. We usually ride our bikes but it was 91 degrees. Even too hot for me. Took the Jeep and immediately found good parking.
And a picnic table to sit at.
Most of the patrons must have rode motorcycles because there were a lot of those! But still not as many as usual on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. With a great band.
The river wasn’t even busy and it’s still scallop season!
Terry and I think that the masses must believe that Old Homosassa is closed due to the hurricane damage. There’s been a lot of coverage in the newspaper and on TV.
Riverside is completely closed down and some of MacRae’s motel units are under repair.
But The Shed and the Bait House is open. Old Mill Tavern is still serving drinks and food. Haven’t been by the Freezer but I’m assuming it’s up and running.
Just wanted to let everyone know that most of Old Homosassa is still open for business!
A couple of weeks ago when I posted about Alpaca Magic, USA, I stated that I would be posting the next week about other local places to take your guests, young and old.
Dropped the ball on that one!
But I’m back.
And I’m all about Weeki Wachee Springs State Park this week.
I take all my guests there, young and old.
The adults like the whole idea of the original roadside tourist attraction. The first show opened in 1947. Totally retro.
The girls–young and old–just love the idea of mermaids.
After about the age of three, the boys are way too macho for mermaids but there is an animal show, boat ride and Buccaneer Bay.
So, this is one place all of my guests enjoy.
Warning, the water in Buccaneer Bay is 72 degrees! Too cold for Piper!
The kiddie pool and the slides are only open during certain holidays and summer break.
The mermaid show is fun. The doors are open 1/2 hour before showtime. So you want to get there probably about 45 minutes early. When you get in, get to the very center, right in front of the stage. Well worth all those senior citizens that you knock over while you climb over the back of the seats with your impressionable young granddaughters with you.
Because the little mermaid (after she gets her legs) and her prince will dance right in front of you.
Then the evil witch will jump out of the opening right over that sweet young couple and scare the b’jesus out of the granddaughters. Seriously worth knocking those people to get the perfect seat just to get a look at their terrified young faces. So far I haven’t been able to adequately capture that look of complete horror from those tiny little girls.
Then as soon as the show is over, you have to grab the hand of that small child and run–do not walk–to beat the line and meet the mermaid. She’s over by the gift shop. Ignore that peacock even if that small child wants to know what it is.
If anyone complains about the rushing, just say the kid has to throw up and we are on the way to the restroom. That gets those slow movers out of the way every time!
And it’s all worth it!
To be first in line.
For the mermaid cause she’s not all worn out form all those sweaty little girls asking questions! Like, why isn’t your hair wet and how exactly did you get here with no legs!
Yes. We’ve been here a few times and got some coaching from our mermaid friends.
More advice.
In the summer, get there before 9 am when it opens. When the park hits capacity, it closes. Even if people leave, you aren’t getting in that morning. Small children will cry. So much sadness.
Terry and I have an annual family pass to the State Parks. That gets two of us in. Then we have to pay for anyone over 6. $5 for the 9-year-old. If you are a veteran and have proof there is a 25% discount for the family pass. This is substantial!
Okay. Just in case you don’t know, Weeki Wachee is about 30 minutes south of Homosassa on US-19. Can’t miss it.
Maybe I’ll have another local place next week. Maybe not. I’m not dependable!