Withlacoochee State Trail – Gulf Junction Trailhead

May 7, 2013 by KTgreen

Local Places, Local Faces

Terry, Maggie and I love being outdoors and doing all those fun activities available to us all year long in Citrus County, but between the Al-La-Palooza, the JesAndy Jubilee, and the crazy weather we’ve had so far this year, we haven’t had much time to get out there. Finally this past weekend we had a free day and decent weather!

So we headed to the Withlacoochee State Trail for some bike riding. In the next few months, I want to travel the entire length of the trail–all 46 miles–broken up into several manageable lengths. This ride started on the very northern section of the trail, the Gulf Junction Trailhead, just south of Dunnellon. Our plan was to ride five miles south or until we reached the next trailhead and then ride back. A ten mile round trip seemed reasonable.

While we have used the trail many times over the last several years, we always start in Inverness so I didn’t know what to expect at this trailhead. I was relieved to see that there was a restroom. And like the trailhead in Inverness, there was a picnic pavilion and benches.

Withlacoochee State Trail - Gulf Junction Trailhead — Since this is considered the beginning of the Withlacoochee State Trail, bluebird box number one is there. We saw several bluebirds making use of the boxes.

There were already a few cars parked and people either cooling down or getting ready to start out. They all made a fuss over Maggie which made the pooch very happy. Most of Maggie’s trail experience is from a bike basket since she’s old and has short legs, but she loves getting down and running or walking for short spurts. Her very favorite thing is definitely all the unusual smells.

The trail was relatively flat–just a few inclines and only a few roads to cross over. But I was happy to come across the South Citrus Springs trailhead a little short of our 5 mile goal.I was ready to turn around!

I recently read about an attempt to connect several bike trails and create a continuous 200 mile bike trail from St. Petersburg to Titusville. While I don’t think I want to cover that much distance, I would like to do the “Rails to Trails” 19th annual bike ride on the Withalcoochee Trail in October this year. By then I should have visited all of the trail heads and be ready to ride!

If you see us on the trail, stop and say hi! We’d love to meet you!

Island Bar and Grill

April 30, 2013 by KTgreen

Local Places, Local Faces

Let’s go on an adventure. To Ozello. A wonderful windy drive in a sports car or motorcycle. And a beautiful view. While we are on our adventure, let’s stop for a late lunch. Normally, we’d stop at Pecks Old Port Cove. Yum! But this time we were with friends Paul and Sue—in their van—and they like to try obscure bars and restaurants. Kind of like that show on the Food Network “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives”. So we went to the Island Bar and Grill on Ozello Trail. Fun!

Now a reporter would have got the whole story about this place. But I’m just an observer. So here’s what I observed. Crazy fun décor. A very cool tiki bar in the middle of a former convenience store. Friendly server, cook, and kitchen guy.

Terry had wings. Yum! He loved them–especially since they were dry rub. I had jalapeño poppers. Double Yum! Both Sue and I also got the deep-fried fish sandwich. (I can feel my arteries clogging!) Paul had the shrimp basket—fried, of course. And island bar beer is only $1.00 all the time. Seriously. They even have free wireless.

So my advice, next time you are looking for a culinary adventure and a fun drive, stop at Island Bar and Grill. Maybe Guy Fieri will be there!

Fishing Tournaments in Old Homosassa

April 19, 2013 by KTgreen

Besides great restaurants and bars, Old Homosassa is known for its fishing. Living within a mile of Old Homosassa, we visit MacRae’s and Homosassa Riverside Resort quite often. Terry, Maggie, and I also enjoy riding our bikes to the county boat ramps and watching anglers setting out in their boats.

This is the season for fishing tournaments, the weather is great and the fish are biting, even if you don’t choose to be in one, it’s fun to watch the anglers set out plus there are usually special events besides fishing.

The 7^thannual m-m-m-Mel Tillis and Friends Fishing tournament was held successfully last weekend with net proceeds donated to the Shriners Hospitals For Children.

There are two big fishing tournaments coming up in Old Homosassa. The first is on April 27^th and 28^th. The Citrus County Builders Association’s 18^th Annual Family Fishing Tournament held in conjunction with and The Annual Aaron Monier Youth Tournament sponsored by Youth Partner Coastal Conservation Association-Citrus hosted by the Homosassa Riverside Resort. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Aaron A Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The second is the 29^th Annual Cobia Big Fish Tournament at MacRae’s of Homosassa on June 8th and 9th. Terry actually took part in this a few years ago. There are a crazy amount of boats, all headed out to get that big fish. Some of the proceeds from this tournament go to Homosassa Elementary, Citrus Abuse Shelter Association, Citrus United Basket, Boys & Girls Club, area servicemen overseas, Daystar Life Center, Homosassa Baptist Church, and their scholarship fund for Central Florida Community College.

We intend to be there taking photos of the tournaments and supporting these worthy causes. Check it out!