Citrus County Florida

by Roy Love

Here’s something different  

When you tire of the hustle and bustle of your everyday work life and you need a break - a cruise would be nice, but adds up to much time and expense. How about taking a 90-minute drive to Citrus County, just north of Tampa or west of Orlando.  
Destination Crystal River / Homosassa Springs. These quiet little communities are located on the west central coast of Florida. They both exude the charm and genteelness of the Old South.  

A good place to check into is the Plantation Inn.   Overlooking  the Crystal River  This property offers  well appointed rooms.  It is an excellent base for visiting the highlights of the area. 


They also have an excellent golf facility with a par 72 18-hole championship course, a nine-hole executive course specifically designed for training and practice, and one of the oldest golf schools in Florida. 
Group Golfing
As for other golf in the area, the El Diablo Golf & Country Club (352-465-0986) in Citrus Springs offers an excellent layout with rolling hills and contoured fairways,  ample greens and an array of strategically placed bunkers.
And of course there is the famous World Woods (352-796-5500)  Playing golf at World Woods is a must.  This 54-hole complex offers a challenge to every golfer. Be prepared to make a day of it.  Warm up on one of the largest driving ranges you have ever seen.  Loosen up on the nine-hole practice course. Then start off on the 18 hole Pine Barrens and finish on the Rolling Oaks (my favorite).  You will find the day an exceptional golfing experience.  
Rolling Oaks #8 hole at World Woods

Other golf courses in the area are:

Southern Woods (352-382-5996)  The Dunes (352-596-7888)  Golden Ocala (353-622-0198)  Citrus Springs Golf  & Country Club (877-405-4658)  Twisted Oaks 352 746-6257)  Pine Ridge Country Club (352-746-6177 and Lakeside golf & Country Club (352-726-1461


 

Other activities in the area include Hiking,  Bicycling, Canoeing, Birding, Fishing, Snorkeling and Swimming with the Manatees. Also places to visit such as:


Travel down Crystal River with a Park Ranger. Observe flower and  fauna,  the wild fowl, and you may see wild pigs.  After the boat ride you can also visit  the Indian Burial grounds.  

Touring the State Wildlife Park gives you an opportunity to  catch another view of native Florida. This natural paradise has more wildlife than people, the way Florida used to be. Frequently sighted are native animals such as raccoons, bobcats, white-tailed deer, otters, egrets and of course alligators.   
A Hippopotamus also resides in the park. This gigantic animal is the remnant of a wild life zoo that operated here years back.  Taken over by the state, all the exotic animals were shipped out, but there was no place for the Hippo. Being declared an  "honorary"  Florida animal by former Governor Lawton Chiles,  the Hippo still resides in this natural preserve. 

The remains of the Yulee Sugar Mill dates back to pre-Civil War days. It was destroyed by the Union Army and was never rebuilt.   

The Ted Williams Baseball Museum and hitters Hall of Fame  is a "must see" for baseball fans. It lets you relive some of baseballs most spectacular days.
One of the main highlights is a chance to swim with the Manatees.  This is the only place in North America where organized Manatee encounters are permitted.
These gentle giants which are distant relatives of the elephant, come into the spring fed rivers where the water temperature remains 72 degrees year round. Enjoy a never to be forgotten close encounter with these animals.Don your wet suit (provided by the boat operator) and ease into the cool water. As you enter you will be advised to move very slowly as not to frighten them.
The Crystal Lodge Dive Center can take you on a 2½-hour trip to one of the many springs located on Crystal River to view these massive creatures.

  

  

 

 


 

If you are not comfortable going in the water,  you can observe them from the boat deck  as they come to the surface. They love to nuzzle up to the boat following the anchor line.


Dining  in the area  is a delightful experience.  Restaurants are located nearby such as KC Krump, The Boat House, Charley Brown’s and  The Plantation Inn, which offers a sumptuous Sunday Brunch.

Dinner at KC Crump’s  premier restaurant is a must.  Located on the banks of Homosassa River the restaurant offers a beautiful river view and an excellent menu. Starting out as a fishing lodge in the early 1800s, the property was totally restored in 1986.  It’s a favorite of many noted celebrity guests, who are pictured on the lobby walls.  One of the most recent guests was baseball star Ted Williams
The family owned Boathouse restaurant is also located nearby.  It offers an excellent menu -  hosted, cooked and served by the entire family. 

Dinner at Charlie Brown's, also on the  Homosassa River across from KC Crump’s is most unusual.

The restaurants ambiance is relaxed and casual. Sweet Corn, Hush Puppies, Scallops, Crabmeat, Soft Shell Crab, Steamed Blue Crab, Clams, Catfish and yes-even Alligator are served on giant two-foot wide platters.
As the food is brought out, you “may get lucky. ”  Charlie may personally serve you. 


“You have to try this” or “did you get any of these” or “you need to try some of these clams steamed in wine” or “try the catfish it’s wonderful. ”  These are some of the things he might say as he hovers over you like a mother hen.  Hopping from table to table, insuring that everyone has a sampling of his bill of fare.  The unusual huge platters  happen to be garbage can covers.









After you have finished this sumptuous feast a riverboat moored outside stands ready to take you on a cruise down river to look upon a glorious sunset at the entrance to the Gulf.  

 
For a change of pace, a getaway weekend is a great way to sample what this unique area has to offer.  To find out more go to the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce website at  http://www.citruscountychamber.com/tourism.html

  

 


 

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