Felburn Park Trailhead on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail

August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 by KTgreen

Local Places, Local Faces

We had a wonderful time visiting family in North Dakota, it was nice taking our daily morning walk in 60 degree weather–and wearing a jacket! But we’re back in Florida and attempting to return to our routine–starting with our weekly bike rides. On our most recent ride we went to the Felburn Trailhead on the Cross-Florida Barge Canal. It’s only about a 30 minute drive for us and the views are spectacular.

Felburn Park Trailhead on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail

We’ve been to this trailhead a few times but have never rode east so we headed out in that direction. This section starts with a hill—a bit of challenge for us flatlanders! The paved trail runs along the canal on one side and a lake on the other. I had read that the trail had been extended but we had gone just a little more than a mile before we came across “Trail End” sign. A two mile round trip wasn’t quite enough, so we turned around and headed west.

Felburn Trailhead — End of the Road! By the way, we got there before 8 am and no one threw us out of the park!

If you do the whole trail it’s about 12 miles. There are a few hills but most of the trail is flat and all of it is scenic. There is no road noise from any major highways which makes it a treat. Going west, a large portion of the trail runs along the Cross Florida Barge Canal then switches to run along hammock and the salt marshes of the Gulf of Mexico. The turnaround point is at a pavilion on the water.

We got to the trail really early so we were the first ones to use it that day. We saw a few rabbits–lucky for them, Maggie was in her basket! Also a family of three deer which leapt away before I could get my camera out. On our way back we did see a few bicyclist and a couple of guys fishing, but it was pretty much our own private trail.

It’s a beautiful area and a true representation of the “Nature Coast”.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Children’s Education Center

August 13, 2013 by KTgreen

Local Places, Local Faces, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Children’s Education Center

I’ve posted about the Homosassa Wildlife Park numerous times and will probably write about it many times in the future. It’s truly a jewel in Citrus County. The park is the first thing the grandkids want to do whenever they come for a stay. One of their favorite areas is the Fishbowl, where the kids watch the fish, manatees. and the occasional scuba diver swim around them. Their second favorite place that they must go visit is the Children’s Education Center.

All of these displays and more are in the Children’s Education Center–along with a park volunteer who is happy to explain each one to their visitors–young or old.

Kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River

August 6, 2013 by KTgreen

Local Places, Local Faces

Kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River — Weeki Wachee River

Outdoor activities have been a little challenging this year due to our monsoon summer. So we’ve had to cancel a few but we did recently squeeze in a kayaking trip between rainstorms. It was an incredible day. Terry and I were joined by our 14-year-old nephew William, 12-year-old grandson Riley, and Michelle for an outing on the Weeki Wachee River. Dogs aren’t allowed so Maggie had to stay home and guard the house.

We used our own kayaks–three single and one tandem–and launched from Paddle Adventures which is located behind the parking lot at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. In our group of five, Michelle and Riley were beginner kayakers. But that’s not a problem on the Weeki Wachee–the current is so strong that the river practically does all the work. Paddling is mainly used to get around some tight corners, avoid low hanging foliage, and steer clear of other river users. Because the boys wanted their own kayaks, Terry and I started out in the tandem kayak. I was happily snapping pictures while Terry did the paddling but then we realized that Riley was waaaaaay behind us. So I had to give up my cushy seat to Riley. And that’s when my camera must have gone overboard. None of us actually witnessed that moment but after pulling the kayaks out at the end of the trip and doing a thorough search, I had to accept that my camera was gone. So sad. This little waterproof camera usually accompanies me everywhere. Michelle had an iPhone with a waterproof case so she was then in charge of photography.

The river is beautiful with natural Florida plants and the water is clear. We saw several herons, egrets, mullet, turtles and two manatees. Most of the river is shaded by cypress trees and other tropical growth so even on the hottest day the trip is pleasant. The beginning of the river runs through the state park and after leaving the park property, there are many spots to swim in the river and enjoy the cool water.

If you have your own kayaks, it’s just $6 each to launch from Paddle Adventures. To rent a kayak, which includes a return shuttle from the takeout point, it’s $30. The workers at Paddle Adventures explained the directions and assisted us with putting the kayaks into the water. They will also pull out the kayaks at Rogers Park–the take out point. Signs are posted along the river with mile markers plus at one tricky intersection there’s an arrow pointing to Rogers Park. So even I, who is directionally challenged, couldn’t get lost!

Everyone agreed that it was a great day and that we will be paddling the Weeki Wachee again.