Local Places – Page 11

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

July 25, 2016July 25, 2016 by KTgreen

So….I started this series for my readers that live here in Florida about places to take your guests. Cause you know you are going to get them. Young, old, , everyone wants to come to Florida and especially to the Nature Coast.

First place I posted about was Alpaca Magic USA.

Followed that up with Weeki Wachee State Park.

(Are you getting tired of photos of my grandkids yet?)

And now, you know I have to tout Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

If you come to visit me, you will go to this park. All of the grandkids expect it when they spend a few days and even though they’ve been many many times, they still love it. It’s just such a cool park and it’s almost in my backyard!

Right now both Jack and Piper love the alligators the best.

alligators

I like the otters.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park It’s clean, spacious. Lots of volunteers that are eager to answer questions. The boardwalks and bridges throughout the park can easily accommodate a stroller or a wheelchair.

There are many varieties of birds. Many in rehab or here because they couldn’t survive in the wild.

Bald Eagle — How about that pose for a photo op? The eagles have badly damaged wings and will never be able to fly.

flamingo owls

ibis

Native flowers,

flowers lily

Manatees,

manatee manatee

and many other creatures.

This is Yuma but I just found out that there is a new panther at the park. Sakata is 8 months old and not in the main area yet. Looking forward to meeting him.

lu the hippo — If Lu isn’t in the water, beware! Lu has quite a spray area when he goes potty! Very nasty.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park bear

Don’t miss the wildlife encounter at 10:30.

screech owl

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

The Education Center has activities for the kids and the volunteers are always happy to see kids come in.

discoverycenter

And so many photo opportunities for your guests.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Homosassa Springs State Park

We have an annual state park pass that gets two of us in for free. Otherwise, Adults (age 13 and over) $13.00. Children (6 through 12) are $5.00. Under 6 and it’s free! You can also get a discount out of the local touristy ads and magazines. The Friends of the Homosassa Wildlife also offer a seasonal pass to the park. No matter what you end up paying, it’s worth it. Spend an hour or half a day. You will love it.

Friday Meanderings

July 22, 2016 by KTgreen

Friday again.

And it’s still hot.

But we did get a bit of rain yesterday. Just a bit. And it was a blessing.

And I’m almost over being sick. Sheesch. Summer cold. Miserable. Two grandkids came to visit while I was sick plus Great Grandma Shirley. Besides not being a very good hostess, I probably sent them all home with a summer cold. Sorry guys.

I really was sick. I think I picked up some weird bug from all those politicians at the “Meet and Greet” that I was the hostess for at the Civic Club. After I was deathly ill, Terry came down with it. We still entertained those adorable grandkids but maybe not quite as enthusiastically.

Addison

I had planned on saying last week that I actually did get featured on a DIY blog a LOT bigger than mine! Check it out at SewMamaSew. I’m almost famous. Okay. Not really. But I did get a couple new hits on my DIY website. And I’ve got a really shiny pretty new bag!

SharkWeek, New Tote Been working on the Homosassa Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival. This will be the BEST festival ever. Terry’s running the show so everything is very organized and he’s going above and beyond. Plus he’s following every lead for grants and sponsors. We’ve got great chairpeople running the arts, crafts, and food. I’ve lined up four exciting local music groups. Oh, and the best, the Homosassa Elementary Chorus will be performing. We are bringing the doorprizes back and we already have a lot to distribute. Lots more to do but we are headed in the right direction!

Like I said, it’s hot here. I’m sure there are things going on. But I’m just spending this weekend trying to get completely better. In the air conditioning. Napping.

Okay, I can’t close this without mentioning Phil Royal’s death. I met Mr. Royal only a few times but always came away with the impression that this was a good person and would be a great Citrus County Sheriff. At only 47 he made a huge impact on Citrus County. He was everywhere that Terry and I went lately and I have a few photos of him on my Mullet Toss post. He was young, only married for a year, and had a brand new baby girl. It’s very difficult to for me to understand this loss so I’m going to stop now.

Hope you have a great weekend,

Kathy

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

July 18, 2016 by KTgreen

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.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park — The Slides

2012_08_03boys — Just messing around in the water.

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!