Nature Coast – Page 32

Old Homosassa Art, Craft and Seafood Festival

November 29, 2012November 12, 2012 by KTgreen

What an absolutely beautiful weekend we had here in central Florida! Blue skies, bright sun, and a temperature of about 75. Perfect! Probably had something to do with the thousands of festival goers that descended on Old Homosassa. Only one way in and out which creates amazing traffic backups!

We usually ride our bikes down to the festival bright and early so we can check out the displays before the hoards of people get here. (Maggie has to stay home since NO DOGS allowed.) But this year we were running late and didn’t get there until after noon. The masses were already there and more were streaming in.

After checking out the art and crafts and peeking into the long lines at the food stands, we decided to head out to the Freezer and get shrimp instead. We usually don’t go to the Freezer on the weekend because it is jammed, but figured everyone had to be at the festival. We were wrong. The Freezer was crazy busy with no tables or seats open along the bar. So we went home and finished up the leftovers from Friday night. Which were really good since we had made panko-encrusted grouper and the fish came from our local fresh seafood house–Shelley’s Seafood in Old Homosassa. Yum!

Here’s some pics from the festival.

Old Homosassa Art, Craft, and Seafood Festival — A boat shuttle was provided to bring people across the river that parked at the old KC Crump. Once on the Old Homosassa side, a van picked up festival goers for the short ride to the site.

It looks like the festival was a success again this year. It’s great for the local economy because so many people visit from Tampa and St. Pete and get to see what Old Homosassa has to offer.

On the Road to Yankeetown

January 27, 2013November 9, 2012 by KTgreen

Continuing our road trip after visiting the Cross Florida Barge Canal, we drove north to Inglis, then west to Yankeetown.

Our first destination was the Gulf of Mexico. The day had started out foggy then the sun came out, but as we got closer to the Gulf, the fog started to roll back in. Then, along with the fog, the no-see-ums rolled in, too.

On the road to Yankeetown

When we turned back the sky started to turn blue again. And there’s the Crystal River Power Plant! That’s how we know we’re on the Nature Coast!

On the road to Yankeetown

Headed to “downtown” Yankeetown. We came here one other time for dinner at Ike’s but it was dark and not a good sightseeing time. It’s actually a pretty town with some nice houses. A lot of “for sale” signs–just like the rest of Florida.

Here’s some more NO:

On the road to Yankeetown

On the road to Yankeetown The Withlacoochee River runs through the town.

On the road to Yankeetown

Withlacoochee

This was just a quick trip so we didn’t get to check out Yankeetown quite as much as we wanted. We’ll be back to do more exploring and perhaps some hiking in the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve.

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

November 29, 2012November 8, 2012 by KTgreen

We drove from Homosassa to Houston and back numerous times over the years and went over the Cross Florida Barge Canal each time. Watched the progress of replacing the original two-lane bridge; wondered about the trail; but never stopped. Since we are always looking for a good place to ride our bikes and the day was changing from foggy and dreary to a bright sunshine convertible kind of day, we took a road trip north.

First stop was the Felburn Trailhead.

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

Have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Three good signs for us:

It’s paved (don’t want to flip the bike on sand);

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

there’s a restroom (yippee for me);

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

and Maggie can join us!

Road Trip to Cross Florida Barge Canal

The Cross Florida Barge Canal was originally intended to connect the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean–an environmental nightmare. It’s now a protected green belt corridor named after the leader of the opposition movement to the canal–Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

After leaving the trailhead, we checked out the parking area at the bridge and the boat ramp.

We drove to the Felburn Trailhead.

The Withlacoochee Bay Trail is 5 miles–a reasonable distance for us–from the Felburn Trailhead to the Gulf of Mexico. There’s also an equestrian trail but Maggie can’t ride a horse.

Next time, we’ll be bringing our bikes and Maggie!