Learning Science and History.

Our Location today is Crystal River, Florida.

That was truly amazing last night going to bed without the heat turned on and we weren’t cold. We slept comfortably until just after 7:30 when we deliberately made the effort to get ourselves mobile. By 8:30 we’d had breakfast and were on our way for a day of fun and exploration.

 

Scout our GPS worked the best it has in a while taking us to our first stop of the day Howard’s Flea Market. We figured we’d get plenty of walking in and then find something to do after lunch. Another reason for going on Friday is there is no entry fee. Unfortunately when we arrived there were only two vendors open and they had junk or as some would say old rusty stuff. Apparently the cold from the past week and the chance of rain today no one else had arrived by the 9:00 opening time.

 

Plan “B” took us to the other side of Crystal River to the Crystal River St. Martins Aquatic Marsh Preserve. We decided to take the early Heritage-Eco River Tour which sails twice a day at 10:30 and 1:30 in the afternoon. Besides the growing number of displays in the park office there were displays outside. The tour lasts between an hour and an hour and a half taking you partly up the Crystal River before meandering out towards the Gulf. They explained the changes in the wildlife as well as changes of how people are looking at the beauty nature has to offer. They even had binoculars for people to use that had forgotten to bring theirs along.

 

Besides just about totally missing a picture of a dolphin coming close to the boat a Loon was spotted amongst all the native species of birds. I was able to capture an Osprey and an Eagle in their nests using maximum zoom on my camera. The tour was extremely informative and worthwhile at only $12.50 an adult.

 

It was nearing lunch when we returned so we decided to go out for lunch since we were so close to town. We were looking for a Mom & Pop kind of restaurant but as we were driving by Crackers the restaurant we’d gone to with the RV Bloggers on Wednesday Kathy suggest we go back so we did. Kathy had a nice Combination Salad while I had there fish and chips. Again the meals were so filling that we didn’t need to even have supper tonight and the prices are very reasonable.

 Now we headed back in the direction of the Preserve to the Crystal River Archaeological Site. These are archaeological digs that date back to Pre-Columbian times that is about 500 years BC until around 900 AD. There has been lots of tools and pottery that have been found and all this deals with things that predates Native Americans. This area was used for ceremonies of different types but especially as a burial site. Again quite the learning experience and the cost was three dollars a carload. We had a chance to climb the highest mound and from that vantage point we were able to see an afternoon River Tour we had been on earlier. There was plenty of walking and the temperature made it to 81 F (27 C) so we were certainly feeling like we’d walked off our lunch.

Even after we left the Archaeological Site it was still early so we stopped at Big Lots and started store walking for more exercise in a cooler environment. This store was definitely larger than most and we came across an unusual eye catcher. We spotted a five foot tall green leaved LED Weeping Willow tree. It can be used inside or out with pegs to hold it to the ground and is quite attractive. We both though it was cute and it now dresses the front corner of out trailer.

Tomorrow it’s supposed to be just slightly cooler and there’s a lot more that we’ll be doing. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

What's yellow, hot and highly dangerous?

Shark-infested custard.