You may not consider a drive of 1 hour and 40 minutes as a local destination, but my definition is that if you can get there, spend the day, and get home before nightfall, it’s local. Plus I needed a local post for today and this was the only day last week that our outdoor plans didn’t get rained out!
I’d been planning the Clearwater visit for awhile. Thought that grandson Riley from North Dakota should visit a gulf beach with waves and sugar sand. And we took along my great-nephew William. I probably haven’t been to the Clearwater beach since my kids were teenagers when the beach was incredibly touristy with all those little tee-shirt shops and bumper to bumper traffic. Still scarred from a parking ticket for being 10 minutes late to get back to my car back in the 80s. Have to say I was pleasantly surprised. We got there by 10 am, traffic was tolerable, and I found parking at Pier 60 quite easily.
Riley and William are too cool for posing now but I did get this one of them in the waves. Our Florida native is the pale child, Mr. ND has quite the tan! How did that happen?Here’s a snap of the boys–Kind of like “Where’s Waldo?”Pretty view from Pier 60This was a Tuesday, this place has to be crazy busy on Saturday!One more pic from our day
Headed out about 2:30 and just barely got out of Tampa before the rains started. Smooth driving from there!
We had a break in the rain and a sunny morning last week so Terry, Maggie and I headed back to the Withlacoochee State Trail.This bicycle ride started in Floral City.We’ve only been in Floral City one other time and thought it was a unique little town.I intend to go back and check out all the little shops—when it’s a bit cooler.We also have not yet been to the Shamrock and it’s one of the restaurants on our “chicken wing” list.
We couldn’t find parking specifically for the trail so just used public parking behind the library.There were a few other vehicles with bike racks already there but we didn’t see anyone else going out on the trail.This was unusual since we usually see at least a half dozen people headed out.We never saw anyone using the trail until we had made our turnaround and were headed back to Floral City.
This was the first section of the trail that we’ve been on that we could not see or hear Hwy-41. What we saw were many huge live oaks, beautiful pasture land, and farm animals.Terry also spotted a peacock along the trail and we are assuming it was an escapee from one of the area ranches. This section was almost completely shaded and had gentle inclines.One of the most pleasant rides we’ve had on the trail.
We hoped to make it to the Istachatta Trailhead but it was a little too far.We did ride about 5 miles and turned around at a placard regarding “The Great Train Wreck of 1956”.Which I found quite interesting–Alan is an engineer on a railroad in ND plus my dad was a conductor when he was a young adult.One of the men that died was W.E. Snyder, the brakeman.That’s my maiden name.Coincidence?Most likely.I did some googling but didn’t get more information other than what was already on the sign on the trail.If anyone has any more info, let me know!
Placard about the Great Train Wreck of 1956. Four railroad workers were killed when two trains were on the same track and collided. Ironically, if they had used their recently installed radios, they would have known they were on the same track. But they would not use the radios until they received additional pay as radio operators! Bad decision!
We’re now over half way through the 46-mile trail.Our next ride will start at the Istachatta trail head but we probably won’t be getting out again for a few weeks.After all, Riley’s here and riding 10 miles on a bike that doesn’t really fit him in the heat and humidity might not be his idea of fun! But we will be kayaking different rivers, doing some fishing, maybe some scalloping and enjoying a few of Florida’s beaches.
Another beautiful morning in Old Homosassa at the county boat ramp. Scallopers trying to get their boats in and beer trucks making deliveries. Later in the afternoon, these guys are pulling their boats out and late arrivals are trying to get in. Crazy town!
Cleaning Scallops, Don’t know what the pink tape is about but I’m sure it’s important! These guys are professionals.Scallop Booty!“I’m in a boat! What are we waiting for? I’ll steer, let’s go! “And this little pooch is headed out to the scallop grounds in an adorable skirt! Always important to be fashionable!There’s two of them!Let’s go! Daylights burning!
