Local Places – Page 46

Kayaking Three Sisters Springs

October 21, 2014 by KTgreen

My friend Connie asked me if I wanted to join her on a kayaking adventure to Three Sisters Springs on Sunday along with her BFF Susie from Colorado and Susie’s daughter Mary Scott from California.

YES!

There’s not a lot better then a day in Florida in October. The only way to make it better is to spend that day on the water!

YES!

I lost my waterproof camera over a year ago while kayaking the Weeki Wachee. I was very sad. I’ve been planning on getting another one and did a bunch of research and picked up a Fujifilm XP70 on Saturday at Target. I didn’t have much time to read the manual–I had it just long enough to charge up the battery and stick the SD card in.

And here’s some pics! Very happy with my new little camera!

This is Mary Scott. Second time kayaking, first time on the Crystal River and has never seen a manatee! So you know what she’s looking for!

The manatees come to the numerous springs for the warm water in the winter. Most of them are still out in the Gulf but will headed back as soon as the weather starts cooling down. But there are usually a few hanging out in the local waterways.

Bridge — Here’s the bridge that we go under to get to the Springs.

Kayaking Three Sisters Springs — Connie’s our fearless leader and guides us through the barriers that keep the big boats out of the Springs.

There were several boats any many kayaks in the area but not too bad for a Sunday afternoon. But as soon as someone spots a manatee—-

And one last pic just for grins….

I want to remind everyone that Saturday is open house at the Three Sisters Springs. You can catch a shuttle at Kings Bay Plaza on US 19 in Crystal River. Paula Bateman, my friend from the acoustic meetup group, is performing plus there will be mermaids! And Saturday will be another beautiful October day in Florida.

A butterfly and some updates!

October 7, 2014 by KTgreen

Butterfly

This hungry butterfly flittered by to check out the garden.

Our weather has been wonderful. The rain finally stopped. The no-see-ums aren’t here yet and we had a lovely cold front come through. Love autumn in Florida.

With the arrival of fall comes many outdoor festivals. Here’s a few that I’ll be attending:

First, October 25th is the open house at Three Sisters Springs. This is free. Stop by Kings Bay Plaza in Crystal River to catch a shuttle and see this beautiful park. There’s even a mermaid show! While there will be shuttles to the park starting sometime in November, there will be a charge. And no mermaids.

I haven’t been able to find any info on the Internet about the annual Blues and Bar-B-Que in Old Homosassa. Guess I’ll have to stop by the Museum Café and ask. And get a Cuban sandwich while I’m there. It’s usually the first weekend of November so that should be November 1st. If you love music, this is a must attend event!

The following weekend, November 8-9 is the annual Old Homosassa Seafood and Arts Festival! There are like a million people that stop in for this show. If you live in Old Homosassa, get enough food for the weekend because there’s only one way in and out! The traffic is insanity!

And another important announcement–Michelle will have a post tomorrow!

And here’s another pic of the same butterfly!

Watsons Art Gallery and Studio in Old Homosassa

October 6, 2014October 6, 2014 by KTgreen

Isn’t this awesome?

Mermaid

Occasionally a little house on Yulee Drive in Old Homosassa shows up with a Real Estate sign and I point it out to Terry and tell him what a perfect place for my art gallery. I’ll paint it pink and put a big porch on the front with rocking chairs and there will be a little coffee shop with cake and muffins. A lovely garden with benches and bistro tables and twinkling lights will be in the back. I’ll work with local artists on consignment and on opening nights have some of my acoustic friends play music and we’ll serve wine and cheese.

Terry chuckles and rolls his eyes whenever I come up with these crazy ideas. I’ve had many of them, but this one is my favorite and I’ve been playing with it in my head since we moved here. But I’m pretty sure it’s not going to happen. First, I’m not an artist, I certainly don’t need a gallery for my nonexistent talent. Second, where am I getting all of that investment money? And third, do I really want to work that hard?

But a girl can dream. And wouldn’t it be great if Old Homosassa was known for its art colony rather than its scallops and bars?

And now I’d like to tell you about Wendy Watson. Wendy made a comment on my blog back in August regarding the post An Update to the Tampa Times Article, “Shucking, It’s a Living”. It only took me a few minutes to connect Wendy with the newest art gallery in Old Homosassa, Watsons Art Gallery & Studio and I emailed her that I would be stopping by.

Last Friday after lunch at Neon Leons, Terry and I finally did go to the gallery and we finally met Wendy in person. And the gallery is wonderful! Much of the art is by Wendy’s husband Gil but a lot is also from local artists.

Here are a few of Gil Watson’s creations:

Mermaid with fish tail — Mermaids are very popular pieces and Gil Watson is creating a series with local fish tails. This mermaid is a redfish.

Shipwreck — Very cool shipwreck with a little alligator ready to take a chomp.

Watsons Art Gallery and Studio in Old Homosassa — The cabinet is Gil’s work, the other items are from local artists.

Here’s a few works from other local artists:

There’s also a fun room with fish and signs.

Watsons Art Gallery and Studio in Old Homosassa

The art gallery is located right beside Marlin Marine.

Watsons Art Gallery and Studio in Old Homosassa

Wendy said that plans are in the works for a coffee shop! Is Wendy living my dream?

I know, I’m crazy cakes! But stop by and meet Wendy. And check out their Facebook Page for more wonderful art.

We really enjoyed our visit. Gil was out doing a custom art installation so we didn’t get to meet him but I’m sure we eventually will. Gotta say that Wendy,Gil and their children are definitely valuable additions to our little community.