To really experience the raft race, you have to be on a boat. And drink a lot of beer. And shoot water cannons and throw water balloons. Terry and I have never ever ever been on a boat for the raft race. One year we invited Michelle and family up and another we took two of the grandkids, but you really can’t see anything besides drunks on land and drunks on boats. So now we just ride our bikes down, stay for the race, and we’re outta there!
I think this year’s race was a little more laid back. Still a lot of people and boats but not as much craziness. We also had deputy sheriffs on the land and in the water plus the Coast Guard was in the middle of it.
There are two divisions–mechanical and paddling. $1000 to the winners! Plus a prize for the best decorated raft.
Now here’s my disclaimer. I know nobody in these photos. If you are in one and want me to take it down, just let me know. (Although I think if you were at the river for the race, then you really don’t care!)
Mechanical DivisionNot looking good for these guys!Once around Monkey Island and back to the marina. These guys gave up on the mechanical part and took turns swimming and pulling their raft. The monkeys were cheering them on.
Gotta have a Gator!“Girls on Fire” came in third in the paddling division.“Walking on Water”–didn’t even make it to Monkey Island.Didn’t even see this raft in the race, must only be in the best decorated division!These boys and their ta tas were more interested in shooting spectators with their water cannon than racing.And this is their beer rat.Yeah, the Coast Guard was here to keep a little bit of order in the party.
Lots of visitors to Old Homosassa this weekend. And a few of them were the four-legged variety.
This is sweet Molly. She’s a Gator fan and was looking forward to watching the game when she got home. I’m sure she was happy that UF won but so sad that they lost their QB for the season.This little guy was checking out the competition at the boat race.“Watch out, I’m coming in, I don’t want to jump on your head!”“I’m so hooooot, let’s just go hoooooome.”“I just wanna go fishin’. Come on guys, get in the boat. I can’t drive myself, I don’t have thumbs!”
This Gator dog was so happy to hear the gators won he just wanted to give me a big kiss. No thank you!And here’s Bacca, looking very handsome and posing quite nicely.And then there’s Maggie who was being her typical anti-social self. She chose to stay home and watch the game while we were out having fun.
Isn’t that silly? Why should I get excited about the weekend? I don’t even have a job! So I ponder that occasionally and have decided that all those years of working have just engrained that attitude in me. Friday was always the best at my last job. We tried to get the boss to go to lunch with us on Friday and take a really long lunch. Then it was Happy Hour! So besides my friends that I worked with, lunch and happy hour are the the only things I miss about not having a job. Oh yeah, I kind of miss that pay check and health insurance, too.
But anyhow….a lot of activities going on in the area this weekend. This is the last weekend for scalloping. Which is sad for those that depend on the scallopers to make a little extra money and happy for those that live in Old Homosassa that are just tired of the hoards. Lots of extra traffic, trash tossed everywhere, scallop shells in the river and even down at the Spring.
Like this guy. We don’t have a lot of sidewalks. And this guy parked on one of them. Also too close to the stop sign. And there were at least 6 open spots in the truck/trailer parking lot right on the other side of the sidewalk. Really?
Okay, off of the soap box. Tonight there’s a “cruise in”–the Friday Night Thunder–in Inverness. Also it’s wing night at the Shed–50 cents each. Not sure what we’re doing yet, might just be sitting on our back porch looking at the full moon!
Tomorrow is the 31st Annual Homosassa River Raft Race on the river. The Bluesapalooza Music Festival is in downtown Brooksville featuring one of our favorite area bands, Sarasota Slim. (Gotta love anything that ends its name with palooza!)
Monday is the beginning of the “International Ethnic Festival” on the Homosassa River. I have no idea what that is but they are starting with Irish. Irish Jig? Irish Coffee? Irish Setter? Macrae’s, Neon Leon’s, Old Mill Tavern, Riverside Resort and Seagrass Waterfront are all taking part so I’m guessing that alcohol will be involved.
If I’ve missed any local fun, let me know!
Dragon boat racers are practicing for the upcoming season!Driving back from Ozello. The long and winding road.Goodnight Moon!
