Nature Coast – Page 24

Traveling with the Top Down, Crystal River Archeological State Park

October 21, 2013October 21, 2013 by KTgreen

We’ve been cruising around Crystal River for the last few weekends–enjoying the weather and the view. Most state parks in Florida allow dogs so this past Saturday we decided to check out some of those parks and took Maggie along. Traveling with the Top Down, Crystal River Archeological Park

First stop, Churchhouse Hammock Boardwalk which is right across the street from the Crystal River Mall. We walked on a really wide boardwalk that’s about 1/3 mile in length and goes through the forest. Maggie was quite sure that something scary was in the woods and wanted to go back the entire time so Terry ended up carrying her. Won’t be taking the pooch back to that trail!

Churchhouse Hammock Trail — I read somewhere (probably on the Internet) that if you have a fat dog, you don’t get enough exercise. Not true–Maggie is a chunky monkey but we ALL get lots of exercise. I’m sure she has a thyroid problem….or a metabolism issue!

The Crystal River Archeological Park was our main destination. There’s a lot of Native Americans buried here. I don’t have a lot of details because we couldn’t go in the visitor center but I have to confess that we’ve lived her over 10 years and have no excuse for not visiting this local treasure before this. But we’ll be back! The grounds were very well maintained and there are areas for grilling and picnicking. Fishing is allowed plus it’s part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Indian Mound, — These are the stairs to one of the burial mounds. No way will Maggie be able to get up these steps.

Traveling with the Top Down, Crystal River Archeological Park — Whaaaaat! OMG Chunky Monkey is running!

Indian Mound, Traveling with the Top Down, Crystal River Archeological Park — View from the Top of the Mound

Our final stop was at the Crystal River Preserve State Park Visitor Center.

Another beautiful spot on the Crystal River. And, once again, we couldn’t go in but we were happy to walk the grounds and love the river.

There’s a native plant garden. Not sure what this tree is, but it was this one was real PURTY!

So, in conclusion, there are a lot of places for us still to discover in the state park system in Citrus County. Like sunset boat rides and ecological tours and many more trails. We’ll be back. But maybe not with Maggie, we have some small people in our family that might appreciate it a little bit more than the pooch!

Weekend Update

September 20, 2013 by KTgreen

It’s Friday! The fun starts now!

Isn’t that silly? Why should I get excited about the weekend? I don’t even have a job! So I ponder that occasionally and have decided that all those years of working have just engrained that attitude in me. Friday was always the best at my last job. We tried to get the boss to go to lunch with us on Friday and take a really long lunch. Then it was Happy Hour! So besides my friends that I worked with, lunch and happy hour are the the only things I miss about not having a job. Oh yeah, I kind of miss that pay check and health insurance, too.

But anyhow….a lot of activities going on in the area this weekend. This is the last weekend for scalloping. Which is sad for those that depend on the scallopers to make a little extra money and happy for those that live in Old Homosassa that are just tired of the hoards. Lots of extra traffic, trash tossed everywhere, scallop shells in the river and even down at the Spring.

Weekend Update — Like this guy. We don’t have a lot of sidewalks. And this guy parked on one of them. Also too close to the stop sign. And there were at least 6 open spots in the truck/trailer parking lot right on the other side of the sidewalk. Really?

Okay, off of the soap box. Tonight there’s a “cruise in”–the Friday Night Thunder–in Inverness. Also it’s wing night at the Shed–50 cents each. Not sure what we’re doing yet, might just be sitting on our back porch looking at the full moon!

Tomorrow is the 31st Annual Homosassa River Raft Race on the river. The Bluesapalooza Music Festival is in downtown Brooksville featuring one of our favorite area bands, Sarasota Slim. (Gotta love anything that ends its name with palooza!)

Monday is the beginning of the “International Ethnic Festival” on the Homosassa River. I have no idea what that is but they are starting with Irish. Irish Jig? Irish Coffee? Irish Setter? Macrae’s, Neon Leon’s, Old Mill Tavern, Riverside Resort and Seagrass Waterfront are all taking part so I’m guessing that alcohol will be involved.

If I’ve missed any local fun, let me know!

Weekend Update, ozello — Driving back from Ozello. The long and winding road.

Have a great weekend!

This ‘n That

September 12, 2013September 12, 2013 by KTgreen

Just a few updates.

First wanted to give out a shout-out to Michelle….

I handed out cucumbers to my friends as souvenirs from our trip to North Dakota. Mine went into salads. Michelle turned hers into pickles. I stopped by one day to drop a kid off or pick one up and she was charring red peppers on the top of her shiny gas range. I was like, “who does that?” The answer is Michelle. She shows up with jars of homemade lo-cal strawberry and blueberry jams. (We return our clean jars to her with the hopes that they’ll be refilled). And while she’s doing the creating she’s also taking pictures and then writes for this blog. And she has a 14-year-old son and a husband that works out of the house. Busy busy busy!

My friend Donna sent me a link to a fun blog. Bluebird Flies The blog is about a young couple and their 7-year-old daughter that sold everything and are spending a year in Europe. I think that is so cool! I would never have been that brave! And the husband’s mother, Sherry, happens to be a friend of ours! Even more cool!

Thought I’d spread the word that we have a new bicycle shop in Crystal River, Surreys, Sycles, & Stuff. It’s at the former Lenco Bicycle shop on 19, just north of the Home Depot and across from the airport. Fred Crawford is the owner and just re-opened the store. Stop by and say hi!

And going along with bicycles, the 19th Annual Rails to Trails Bike Ride is Sunday, October 6th. Terry and I are registered to ride, first time for us! September 14th is the last day to register and be guaranteed a commemorative shirt. But it’s not too late, you can register online.

Scalloping season is almost over but there’s still plenty to do on the Homosassa River. The 31st Annual River Raft Race is September 21st and some of the local venues are holding an International Ethnic Festival from September 23 thru October 20.

Okay, that’s it. There should be a DIY up tomorrow!