Last Florida Tour

Diary

Took a long drive yesterday, visiting my favorite haunts around the Gulf coast. Pictures are great, and I'll post them later this week as an attachment to this entry.

Inverness--Stopped only to see the Lakes District library, where I spent many a rainy Saturday researching my novel. I monopolized their microfilm machine for hours at a time, and they never asked what I was doing or for anything from me. Service all too rare, these days. Sincere thanks, Citrus County.

Homosassa Springs--Went straight for the terrific Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Park on US 19 and take the 20 minute boat ride over and back: it's the best part. Pelicans, gators, ibis, cooters, snakes, all sorts of vermin. They have whooping cranes now, and a hippo, and 20 or so gators as large as I have ever seen. (I wish I had the pictures ready!) The boat ride over is talky and overly explanatory, but the one back is silent and much better, riding between branches and under a slice of blue sky between the trees. Then the first whiff of traffic noise is in its way a little sad. And, unfortunately, not enough time for one last pitcher of beer and one last pool cue across the back of the head at Filthy McNasty's.

Port Inglis Restaurant--I have no idea why I like this glorioiusly shabby little place so much. Sometime when I was cooped up in the big city, the hostess, a pretty wall-eyed little girl, turned into a young beauty. Lunch was salad, crabmeat-stuffed flounder, mashed potatoes, baked beans, bread, and tea--for less money than I could believe.

Jena--Got the long drive out of the way midday (poor photo lighting, anyway) to Jena and the extremely remote area south out of there. Witnessed a near accident, when a young fellow towed his airboat and trailer up the steep and very primitive boat ramp way too fast and nearly dumped it and three people riding in it into the sawgrass. The long drive was probably not worth it, but I got some great photos there and nearby.

Cross City--If you fly into Florida very often, you will hear the airline pilots mention that you're crossing over Cross City. I found the airport, but I could not find the radio beacon that I know must be on the field. Oh, well, perhaps pilots obsess about such things.

Cedar Key--Hasn't changed a bit. Still a water-going vessel of some kind parked in every lawn and between every two houses. Found the sandy spot where I got a pontoon boat stuck in a rapidly rising tide. To pass under the bridge and into the marina, you can hit your head even at low tide--at least I can. Don't ask how I know.

Yankeetown--Otter heaven. Every single person I drove by waved sincerely. It's all trees and walking the dog and boats. Where I'm taking my next US vacation.

Crystal River--over the high bridge over the defunct Barge Canal, past the nuclear power plant, and into Crystal River, dying for my traditional ice cream on the deck over the docks. The lights are on and there are people inside, but a sign in the window is swinging "Closed." My watch says 8:02. They are in fact closed. I have no idea when I'll ever be back.

A long day, probably too long. I realized more and more that my only chance of getting Florida out of my system, to get any sense of closure, is to actually finish writing the novel, to make some use of the thousands of pages of notes. If yesterday's 400 miles of driving offers only that (plus great pictures soon for you folks!), they were worth it.

Tomorrow I must seriously pack for the movers are here early, the day after.