Out and About: Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Ever heard of the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville?  Me neither.  KInd of sounds Hawaiian to me.  But no, Kanapaha means something about Native American’s living in palmetto thatched huts along a lake.  When we saw that the Citrus County Corvette and Camaro Car Club was planning a driving excursion there, we said “why not?”  

And that garden was amazing!  It was actually 25 specialty gardens on sixty-two acres of beautiful land bordering a lake.  (Kanapaha Lake–must be where those Native Americans lived in their palmetto huts once upon a time.)

Unusual plants, both native and from around the world, shade meandering paths; flowering vines entwine pergolas and gazebos; concrete mythical creatures hide in quiet corners; a bamboo forest shades a contemplative Buddha. Lovely.

We had two hours to explore and wander through the various gardens. Most of the plants and trees had markers and I was able to identify some of the unknown plants in my own yard, plus decide what plants I needed to add to my own gardens.   (I can’t stop thinking about those brick paths bordered with mondo grass and how good that would look in my shaded areas or how much I want to put in my own bamboo forest and Buddha.)

I took about 150 photos–all beautiful.  But 150 might be just a few to many to post here.  So I’ve just put up some of my favorites and in no particular order. 

Vine

ViewViewPineapple GingerDragon in Children's GardenChildren's GardenOne of many gazebosSucculent gardensucculent GardenPapaya

 PapayaGriffinGazeboChenille PlantBridge and padsPadspadsflowerflowerBirds Nest FernBambooBambooBambooBambooBudda in Bambo GardenBananasBottle Tree

Cars
There’s even a nice view in the parking lot!

The Garden is approximately 75 miles north of Citrus County–about an hour and a half drive.  According to the literature from the Garden, the best time to visit for blooms is from June through September.  They allow dogs as long as they are on a leash and we saw one little adorable Westie.  It would be a lovely spot for a wedding or just for a family photography session.  The admission fee for adults is $7 and there’s a discount for large groups.  A fun and inexpensive day trip.

Our Sunny Weekend

What a great weekend.  Temps in the 80s.  Sunshine!

Here’s my first daylily bloom of the year.

DaylilyAnd the first passion flower that I noticed. 

Passion flowerThe weather was perfect for “Top Down Travels”.  Went to First Saturday Village Market in the “Historic Village Shoppes of Dunnellon”. 

First Satuday Village MarketWe went once last year and there were so many more booths and people this year!

My favorite place in Dunnellon is Grumbles House.  The plants are beautiful and there are so many cool garden accessories.

Grumbles House

Grumbles House

Mermaid
Oh look! A Mermaid!

I only bought two little plants while I was there.  Can’t get a whole lot into the Camaro. 

Sewing Machine
I liked this old sewing machine, too, but have no where to put it.
Car eyelashes
And I think my car needs some eyelashes. (not the Camaro)

And we’re not done with our adventures. 

Here’s Maggie getting ready for her first bike ride of the season on Sunday.  She’s gained her weight back from being sick last year.

Maggie
Chunky Monkey waiting to get in the bike basket.

Then we went to Citrus Hills for another Farmer’s Market and Car Show. 

Red cars
Red cars have to park together.

And then on to Hernando to check out the lake and park.

Hernando
Another spot on the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes
Ducks
I went down to check out the ducks.
ducks
And they came up to check out me!

This was a really nice park with pavilions, picnic tables, a swimming area, a playground and boat ramp but there were very few people taking advantage of all the amenities.  Then I saw the hater sign.  Explains it all.

Sign
Good thing we left Maggie and the beer at home!

 

Old Town GM Car Show

Or how we accidentally entered a car show!

Terry and I recently joined the Citrus County Vettes and Camaros Club.  We both love sports cars and this group goes on outings in Florida.  Sounded like something we would enjoy plus it would fit right into my series of “top down travels”.

Our first adventure was to the Old Town Kissimmee GM Car Show.  We like to go to car shows but didn’t sign up to actually have our car in it. When we arrived–surprise–we were in the show.  Not much of a choice to move on.  So we made the best of it.  Put the top down, dusted the car off, and checked out all the other cars.   

2011 camaro
Our 2011 camaro

 

camaros
Right across from these customized Camaros

 

Old Town GM Car Show
And beside this 2014 Corvette!

  

61 corvette
Not just new cars, here’s a 61 corvette

 

2011 camarao
Terry and our 2011 Camaro

It was a beautiful day, we got to look at cool cars–old and new, and met some fun people.

Old Town GM Car Show
Barb and Ken McNally, (President) and Mac McGarry, (VP)

The next outing is to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville on March 29th then another car show at Crystal Chevrolet on April 13th.