Monday, May 16, 2011

Winter in the Crystal River Florida Area

OK...so it has been a long time since I posted anything in our blog so here goes...
We spent 6 months in Beverly Hills, Florida in Sandy Oaks RV Park, from November 2,2010 through April 28, 2011. The only time we left was to host the Hamilton Reunion at our house in Waleska, Georgia over Thanksgiving and to attend the FMCA, Family Motorcoach Association, in Perry Georgia in March. While in Florida, we enjoyed the pool, paddling the rivers with friends & family, going on an occassional bike ride, helping others with their family history, taking a series of art classes, giving a computer series of classes, working weekly at the Family History Center in Lecanto, FL., celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary, celebrating friends 52nd Wedding Anniversary, traveling to Merritt Island National Wildlife Park, etc..
Here are a sampling of photos from our winter. We have some of friends but not all of our friends. Maybe if I get ambitious, I will learn how to upload a lot of photos to my facebook page using Picasa.
These are White Ibis-----Beautiful, eh?
This and the next photo are Weeki Wachee River scenes. The water froms from a spring & is incredibly clear.The river winds a lot so is somehwat of a navigation challenge.
This is an airboat on the Homosassa River. They seem to be unique to low country areas or swamp & marsh areas, from what we have seen. They can go in very shallow area in the marsh areas of Flordia and even go over some ground at times.
Roy and Shelly Annis introduced us to the wonderful river paddling in Florida. They are also the very good frinds who transported Jim and I, on a moments notice, to Atlanta last year from immergency medical treatments, which undoubtedly saved Jim's eyesight! They are paddling the Oklahawa River near the Silver River, outside of Ocala.
This is a Little Blue Heron....again, beautiful!
Roy & Shelly again on the Oklahawa River
Limpet on the Oklawaha
Oklawaha River Scene- rugged & beautiful!
This 'gator is on the Oklawaha. When we got close, he decided to go into the water. Watch his eyes!
Even in this photo you can see his eyes! It appears he is coming after us but in reality, he is escaping from us!
Bonnie Brendes, a friend from Church, joined us on several paddles. She is an experienced kayaker. She & her husband gave us some yummy grapefruit from their tree in January & we finished the last one in April! (They gave us a huge bagful!)
Our grandson & his wife, Joeseph & Katie Chevrier came to Florida about Dec. 30th & spent a day or two with us. They rented a double kayak & we all went out to the Three Sisters Springs to see the manatees. Joe went underwater and photographed them with my Christmas present, a new underwater camera! This manatee is upside down...notice flippers & belly button! (Real scientific term!)
This is a cow manatee & her calf.

Note the face & the flipper which looks like a leg here in this shot.
Katie & Joe are petting a particularly friendly manatee who kept following them!
I goofed & did not make this photo large enough. It is a group of kayaks at Baird Creek off the Chassahowitzka River. From this point on we had to walk up to the spring. Photo by Barb Bergstresser.
This is a Green heron, photo by Barb Bergstresser, taken on the Chassahowitzka River.
Barb & Bill Bergstresser, frinds & great photographers as well as kayakers & bicyclists. They, along with others in the RV park did a 50 miler one day!
Cardinal seenon the Goldendale Swamp trip with Barb & Bill. Later we were drenched in rain, but we paddled on!
Gayle & Charles Treadway also went on the Goldendale Swamp with us in the winter. They have a nice double kayak of their own. Gayle 7 Charles each work in the Lecanto Family History Center and Gayle is the Director. Charles is the IT guy!
How about this tricolored Heron and the Great White Egret! This was taken on Baird Creek.
Another Great white Egret. They are very graceful.
Thuis unusual phot is of a Great Blue Heron sitting on a nest in a tree. This was on the "Chass" River. (I get tired of spelling it out!)
Here Jim is on Bair Creek, just off the "Chass".
This is a pretty scene on Baird Creek with the back lighting on the ferns.
Here I am about to get into our canoe on Baird Creek.
Sunglasses & a hat are a must....as well as suncreen and occassionally, bug repellant for no-see-ums.
This is a Yellow Capped Night Heron Taking off to fly!
Same Night Heron before he decided to "take off!"
Photo by Debi Toman- Jim and I in our canoe on the Baird Creek.
We took a group from the RV park to Three Sisters Springs in December to see the manatees.