We needed a week to catch up on projects with good internet access. Crystal River seemed like a great area to explore.
Crystal River
Unfortunately, Jake ate something that caused gastroenteritis, so it was difficult leaving him to go sightsee. Thank god for our very good friend Teresa who gave us some great advice on managing his symptoms. We wanted to visit Three Sisters Springs where the manatee hangout in the winter…. maybe even get in the water with them. However, there weren’t many because it was too warm and they are hanging out in the Gulf of Mexico. It was in the 80’s everyday. Michael tried to get a picture of a tortoise at the bottom of a very steep hill covered in pine needles. He slipped, fell, and slid about 10 feet. Once again bruised a rib and injured his knee. Seems like we picked the perfect spot to catch up on projects! Aging sucks.
Rock Crusher RV Resort
This place is large, has a pool, hot tub, and internet. Its rated very well on rvparkreviews.com. Its not adult only, so the pool was filled with grandchildren and the hot tub water looked like old laundry water. We never got in it. The wifi was awful. Upgraded, but still not better with download speeds of about 2 mbps. No Verizon signal to use as a hotspot. Next project will be to purchase wifi and cellphone range extenders. Everyone we met were incredibly friendly. Most of the park were retired snow birds spending 6 months in Florida then back to Michigan to spend time with family. At first, we thought someone was just hanging laundry, but this was hanging for a few days. RV park humor.
Jake was once again tormented by squirrels.
Lizards also were an object of his desires.
Feels like late spring. Flowers blooming.
The Gopher Tortoise population is healthy here. We saw them daily. Jake now knows the word tortoise. He wanted to eat one. They are very skittish and quickly went into their burrows if approached. This one did not care we were there. We had to get out of her way as she just wanted to get back to her burrow after mating. According to a neighbor, we just missed it.
The foodie scene was mediocre. Mostly high volume minimal atmosphere tourist places. Not even a single food truck. There is a very busy place on the water named Crackers. We went for lunch, waited, and left. The locals say after an hour of waiting you’re lucky to get a cracker. We did go to Vintage on 5th. This is probably one the better rated good eats restaurant in Crystal River. They are only open evenings. We arrived at 5:00, they were packed by 5:30 on a weeknight. Food was very good, wine selection ok, not quite a Fleming’s, Donovan’s, Ruth’s, or Mortan’s steakhouse, but also not as expensive. We really enjoyed the atmosphere (old Presbyterian church), staff, and food.
Every local we met in Crystal River were personable and genuine. They love being away from the crowds of Naples, Fort Myers, and Tampa. Its a little bit old Gulf Coast Florida, fresh sea food, housing still very affordable, and no crowds….except for Crackers.
