Day 1 & 2 - Bluegrass Special - IBMA Bound

We had an HOA meeting on Monday September 9th at our community. We had a few people to visit in the park before we left. We had to give our mail key to Tom & Peg and I had to help Tom sync his phone with his car. I also helped Sandie get her printer hooked into her new internet service. We got back to the house and finished packing the RV. We went to the bank to get some cash and we grabbed lunch at Arby's on US 301. Can you tell me why people think this is acceptable? I am an animal lover, but a pet in a restaurant? Come on... and don't tell me that it could be a service dog... I watched it mis-behave as people walked by. 

We have driven this route many times, as we have friends in Homosassa. We took US 301 to US 98. Heading out of Dade City, on the by-pass road, you skirt downtown Dade City and you pass the old Dade City museum and then the Pioneer Museum. The Dade City Heritage Museum was housed in the old Atlantic Coastline Train Depot. Built by the Atlantic Coastline Railroad in 1912 to replace a structure located about 1/4 mile north, the Atlantic Coastline Train Depot in Dade City was the first site in Pasco County to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in July of 1994. It certainly looks like the museum is no longer there, but all my research says it is still there?!

Pioneer Florida Museum and Village is an open-air museum that holds many events. The museum complex includes Overstreet House, a one-room schoolhouse, a church, a train depot (that was removed from Trilby and relocated here), a train engine, and a museum exhibition of tools, household items, antiques and farm equipment. One of our favorite events at the Pioneer Museum is the annual horse pulls!

After Dade City, we headed west on US 98 towards Brooksville, which is the next big town you come to. We took the truck route to get around the center of Brooksville. The city is named for US Representative Preston Brooks. The city's founding families settled here in the 1840s, establishing plantations dependent on slave labor. Charles Sumner was a United States Senator from Massachusetts in the years before the American Civil War. He was an outspoken opponent of slavery and known for his fiery speeches on the subject. Preston Brooks was a congressman from South Carolina, and an equally outspoken advocate of slavery. One day in 1856, Sumner gave a speech in the Senate that was especially insulting to the South. Brooks savagely attacked Sumner on the Senate floor and nearly beat him to death with a cane. Brooks attack on the hated Yankee senator made him a hero in the South, and Brooksville was very much a southern city in the years during and after the civil war. Speaking of near death... we say this unique skeleton that rode just fine for miles!

US 19 merges with US 98 south of Homosassa. We used to stay at a Carefree campground in Homosassa, but this year we are staying at an Encore Thousand Trails RV resort in Crystal River. Long day traveling … 70 miles … but it got us on the road and Charlie was ready to hit the road! 

Tuesday September 9th. I walked the park this morning and WOW there are a bunch of big sites here! There are so many that fit an RV, their car(s) and a boat! I will have to get a picture of one of them in the morning!

We drove west on Fort Island Road to see where it takes us. We passed the Crystal River 3 Nuclear Power Plant, or simply CR-3. It is a closed nuclear power plant as of 2013 the facility is being decommissioned, a process expected to last 60 years. In 2020, Duke Energy and Accelerated Decommissioning Partners successfully completed a transaction to start decontamination and dismantlement of the Crystal River Nuclear Plant in 2020 instead of 2067 – nearly 50 years sooner than originally planned.

We ended up at Fort Island Gulf Beach. It is a Citrus County family friendly beach with beautiful white powdery sand. It is located where the Crystal River meets the Gulf of Mexico. Some call it a tidal beach. 

A tidal beach is a shoreline area, such as a sandy beach or mudflat, that is regularly submerged by high tide and exposed by low tide. Fort Island is famous for its wildlife viewing (especially birds and dolphins), and sunsets. 

We drove back out and stopped at Fort Island Trail Park. I was expecting a larger park with lots of walking trails. Turns out that it is a very small river front park with a long pier and a boat launch. It is located on Crystal River, the same river that the RV park is located on.

We past Grannie's restaurant where the window painters were changing the window pictures for the new season. Grannie's is a local breakfast and lunch place. It is a classic American eatery known for its family-style breakfast and lunch offerings. It is a no-frills establishment serves up delicious comfort food with fast and friendly service. The old-school diner-style decor adds to its charm, making it a popular spot among locals, snowbirds and visitors too. 

We drove out to Crystal River, which is part of Central Florida’s “Nature Coast.” I love the tree canopies that cane be found in this area of old Homosassa. When the water temperature drops in the Gulf of Mexico, manatees move to the warmer waters of the Crystal River, followed closely by nature-loving tourists and other visitors. Crystal River is one of the few places where you can swim with manatees. The springs flow at a constant 72 degrees, making the waters attractive to all sorts of swimmers in the winter. Many summer visitors enjoy the 72 degrees of the springs too!

We headed north to make a purchase at Rural King. Needless to say, I got some free popcorn too! I love all of the murals that you can see in Crystal River. They are part of the over 20 colorful public art displays and murals celebrate nature, history and heritage across Crystal River, Homosassa, Inverness, and Floral City on Florida’s Gulf Coast. These are two of my favorites.

One of the most popular is “The Kraken,” an octopus that is the star of a 16-foot-high mural on the side of Salty Girls Beach Shop in Crystal River. Shop owner DeAnna Boyer partnered with the City of Crystal River on its Beautification Project, and transformed her exterior walls to public works of art. After meeting William Mickey, a local artist who was awarded the project, the ideas started flowing. Just six weeks later, The Kraken was released.

After we finished our shopping, we headed south to The Freezer. On our way we pass the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins. These ruins of an ante-bellum Florida Plantation & Sugar Mill were part of a 5,000 acre Sugar Plantation hacked out of the hammock along the Homosassa River by roughly a thousand slaves in 1851. 

The Plantation, of which the Mill was the centerpiece, helped provide sugar for Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. The Mill was abandoned in 1864 when Union forces came up the Homosassa River, torched the home of Plantation owner David Yulee, and freed the Plantation's labor force under the terms of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Freezer is a restaurant and bar that is located in an old seafood freezer. It's a down to earth cash only place with amazing shrimp, fish dip and stone crabs. 

Their unique setting may not be for everyone, but if you love fresh seafood in an authentic atmosphere, you've found the right place. This unique setting is on the water where boats bring in their fresh catch. 

We don't always have beer when we are out! Sometimes its just a Coca-Cola kind of day!

When we were in Brooksville on our shakedown RV trip #2 I told you all about the Florida Cracker collection of restaurants, shops and bars. Here in Homosassa there is a whole collection of them. The Florida Cracker at Old Homosassa includes a resort, the Monkey Bar, a Kitchen and Ice Cream shop. 

The Florida Cracker Riverside Resort is a 54-room resort featuring comfortable accommodations right on the Homosassa River with the true feel of old Florida. The Monkey Bar, Ice Cream Company (in an Airstream trailer), the Trading Company of Homosassa and the Kitchen are all in the same complex.   

This resort is just across the river from Monkey Island. Monkey Island? Established in the early 1960s, this whimsical island is home to a lively group of playful spider monkeys, offering a unique blend of wildlife conservation, local history, and community spirit. Monkey Island isn’t just a quirky attraction—it’s a vibrant piece of Homosassa's history, embodying creativity, community, and a touch of whimsy. Its creation in the 1960s was an unintentional masterpiece that has since become a beloved family-friendly destination. 

In the early 1960s, G. A. "Furgy" Furgason, a key figure in developing Homosassa, unintentionally created Monkey Island while addressing a navigational hazard in the Homosassa River. Upon returning from an overseas trip, he discovered a small, barren island had emerged outside his yard. Furgy transformed this “eyesore” into a captivating attraction by adding a lighthouse and, later, a group of mischievous monkeys originally brought to America to assist with polio vaccine research. The monkeys, known for their antics, were relocated to the island to create their own “Alcatraz.” Over the years, the island was landscaped with structures and trees, becoming a haven for the furry residents and a delight for visitors. Monkey Island now stands as a vibrant reminder of Old Homosassa’s whimsical charm and commitment to preserving its history. Visitors can observe the monkeys from the shores or the Monkey Island Riverside Resort’s waterfront dining areas, learning about wildlife conservation while enjoying the monkeys’ playful antics. 

On our way out of old Homosassa we passed their beautiful Veterans Memorial. The Old Homosassa Veterans Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the sacrifices made by veterans of the Armed Forces, providing an essential experience for locals and tourists. This memorial park is not only a place to reflect on the bravery and service of military personnel. As you stroll through the lush grounds, you will encounter various monuments and plaques, each telling a story of valor and dedication. The serene atmosphere enhances the experience, making it a perfect location for contemplation or quiet moments with family and friends.

Old Homosassa is a great place to visit. 

Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures

 

3rd & Final Shakedown RV Trip - September 2nd & 3rd, 2025

This was supposed to be a trip with our friends, but things did not work out! We were going to cancel these reservations, but our alternate plans did not work out either... so, here we are spending two nights at Camp Margaritaville in Auburndale Florida. Lazydays and Camp Margaritaville gifted us these two nights when we purchased our new rig.

They boost that Camp Margaritaville is close to theme parks, attractions and all that Central Florida has to offer. Well, 14 miles from Lego Land is not too bad. But more than 40 miles from Disney and Universal is not what I would consider close!

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins does give you the "resort" feel, right from the moment you pull into the park. There is a team member at the gate that checks you in and leads you to your site.

I have to admit that the "oversized pad" was not exaggerated. There is plenty of room to accommodate all sizes of RVs, including ample space for slide-outs, car parking, all with full hook-ups. Each site includes free Wi-Fi and cable access with 50/30/20 amps, a charcoal grill, and picnic table.

Our back in sites are anything but ordinary. It was at least 70' and 30' - 40' wide with crushed shell and a concrete patio. There is decent landscaping between each site, it will just be a bit longer before they offer any privacy. The biggest drawback I see, is zero shade! The palms they have planted give you the "resort and Florida" feel, but don't do much else!

Some of the sites, the back-ins & pull-thru, offer you an upgrade (more money) for a private Tiki Hut to enjoy while camping. The private Tiki Hut offers barstools, a countertop with a sink, an outdoor TV, and soft lighting. 

Again, for more money, you can select a premium RV sites. Reading all that we got, what makes some premier, you ask? They have a premier location, closer to a swimming pool and other amenities. 

They also have "Paradise Motorhome Suites." They are set-up for motorhomes, as they are pull-in only. In addition to the standard amenities, you will have your own private Tiki Hut, an outdoor kitchen, including a Komado Joe Smoker, two Adirondack chairs and a hammock.

The 5 O'Clock Motorhome Suites at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale provide the perfect getaway for any motorhome traveler. Again, these are pull-in only. These sites offer all the same amenities as the "Paradise Motohome Suites" except they are overlooking the License to Chill Pool and Bar. I am not sure if I would pay extra money to have my "back yard" overlooking a pool. Yes, the lake is beyond the pool and you can see that from your "suite."

While I am talking about these sites and this bar. Another way they "get you for more money" is they only have golf-cart parking at this pool and bar. So, if you want to get here, you will need to rent a golf cart. Most "standard" sites are not a walkable distance to this location. I was willing to drive Charlie down, take the car back to our site and then walk back. But, he was not having any of that! It's all good. 

Our first night at the pool bar closest to our site was enough for us. This picture shows what an $11 margarita looks like here. Charlie had a $12 Rum Mule. We also ordered a pizza and had a few more drinks. We did enjoy the folks we met at the bar. Justin was our bartender and he was from Rochester New York and graduated from SUNY Brockport (many years after I did). Really, what a small world! Our dinner and bar bill was a C-note. So, I guess all the sceptics of "free stuff" can truly say that this stay was not free! 

 

We played Jimmy Buffet trivia while we were at the bar. There was 4 teams and we came in second place! Not bad for 2 people who listed to Bluegrass and Country! 😁💣💥😜🎸🏖

On our full day there we did some exploring. I say our only full day there, because 2 free nights, really only gives you one day there. Because on the first day you arrive and on the third day you are leaving. Anyway, we took this day to find Bonnie's new store. 

For those of you that know us, I have "worked" for Bonnie with All American Furniture & Mattress, since Carefree RV Resorts sold to Sun Communities. WOW, that was almost 10-years ago! It was in March 2016 that Sun Communities acquired Carefree Communities portfolio for $1.7 billion. Yes, that is billion with a B! The acquisition integrated Carefree's 103 manufactured home and RV communities into Sun Communities' operations. 

Bonnie's store used to be on Florida Ave in Lakeland. She recently relocated to Auburndale. So, we took a drive! We found her! We found her long-time employee James first. It was great to see him. Bonnie was in her office, so we just walked in and said "you can run, but you can't hide!" She was shocked and thrilled to see us! It was great to see her too! 

We spent a bit of time catching up. When Sun first acquired Carefree we were very busy with staging models for sale and outfitting vacation rental units. In fact, we were so busy that we had pages of spreadsheets to track units that we were working. We were so busy, there were many times when Charlie and I would have to meet James and Bonnie at a location to get all the homes done in reasonable time. Now, our work for Bonnie is very limited, the well has dried up a bit for vacation rental set-up. But, we value our friendship with her.

I walked every morning while we were at Camp Margaritaville. My first walk, I went to the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex that is right next to the RV Park. Along the edge of the park is the Auburndale TECO Trail. It is a very busy 7-mile multi-use path in Auburndale. It looked like a nice wide and open path. I did find it interesting that in the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex was a lake that said for competition only. It is called Championship Lake and it is host to significant water ski events, including the Florida State Championships, the Disabled Waterski National Championships and the IWWF World Barefoot Water Ski Championships.

The morning skies were beautiful and kept getting more gorgeous! 

Even the water tower is beautiful! This is a collage I created from pictures taken of all three pictures painted on it. 

  

The flowers here are first rate too! I even had a four-legged visitor! Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures

2nd Shakedown RV Trip - August 27th - 30th, 2025

We are using that Thousand Trails membership, for sure! We booked 4 days and 3 nights at Clover Leaf Forest RV Resort in Brooksville, FL. It's a quick 32-mile trip from home to Brooksville on Wednesday August 27th. It was an easy check-in and the staff was friendly and helpful. We arrived at our site, which backs up to Route 41, a busy highway, but all is good.

The city of Brooksville boasts a charming downtown area with local restaurants, breweries, and farmers markets, offering a mix of history and rural charm. It's home to the Florida Cracker Brand, which includes the Florida Cracker Kitchen, the Florida Cracker Trading Company, the Florida Cracker Taproom and Bourbon Bar, Florida Cracker Cook Shack, the Cook Shack Mercantile, the Florida Cracker Feed Lot, the Florida Cracker Fish Company, the Florida Cracker Monkey Bar, Lunch on Limoges, BVL Oyster Bar, and The Florida Cracker Oyster Bar & Grill. We will talk more about a few of these later.

We got the RV backed-in and hooked the electric up. We were just getting ready to bring the jacks down and Charlie said "where is this water coming from?" There was water all under our rig. Charlie said "Let's get the rig off this site." We quickly unhooked the electric, moved the car and the RV into the road. We drove both vehicles back up to the office and we were given 2 choices for sites. 

Our new sites took us right past our first site, where the water continued to flow from the lot and down the road. We later learned that water main breaks are common in the RV park and sister manufactured home community. On our new lot, we had a bit of shade, thank goodness! Shade is important when you are doing that summer camping in Florida!

We relaxed for a bit and then we headed into Brooksville to Zaxby's. Not for dinner, well maybe later. First, the Big Red Bus is there and they need blood. We got there just as the bus was setting up, so we found a parking spot in the shade and waited. We were the first in the bus, with a young lady that rode her bike up. I am not judging people, but she drank and ate enough for all three of us and then some! The phlebotomist was really looking for some to give red blood cells. The "bike girl" and my iron were too low, but Charlie's was perfect. After a bit of whining and pleading from the tech, Charlie relented and did it!

After our blood donations were done, we went into Zaxby's and enjoyed some dinner. Neither of us have eaten there before. Charlie said "if you like chicken, it's ok." That is my meat and potato man, all the way! Zaxby's was founded in Statesboro, Georgia, in 1990 by childhood friends Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley, who invested $8,000 each to open the first chicken finger restaurant near the Georgia Southern University campus. The chain is known for its chicken fingers, wings, and signature sauces. Goldman Sachs acquired a majority stake in Zaxby's in 2020 and 2021, with Townley selling his stake in 2020 and McLeroy selling a portion in 2021.  

After our dinner, we headed to the Broad Street Brewing Company. It was the first craft brewery in Brooksville. It's a unique place that truly embraces the local community and heritage, both through the beers it brews and the unique atmosphere of its taproom. 

The combination of high-quality craft beverages, locally sourced ingredients, and an inviting space filled with local art creates an experience that likely feels authentic and personal when you walk through the door.

Charlie enjoyed the LaHazy Neighbor IPA and I had a Lemon Sparkler. As we sat and enjoyed the feel of the place. I read about a PB&J Sparkler, if we come back here I am having that!

The historic setting is the old Hensley Chiropractic building with its mid-century modern breeze block design must offer a distinctive charm, blending the past with the present in a way that enhances the overall experience. 

It’s not just a place to grab a craft beer, but a place to connect with the community, appreciate local art, and enjoy carefully crafted beverages in a place that tells a story. There is no kitchen, but they do host food trucks many nights of the week. 

On Thursday the 28th of August, we did a bit of touring around Brooksville. The area is rich with outdoor art. There are countless murals in the area. We only visited a small sampling. 

The "Brooksville Raid" mural was the first mural we saw. The artist, Tony Caparello, used brown tones in the mural to give the illusion of an old photograph. The artist used reenactors from the annual Brooksville Raid Civil War reenactment as models for the people in the mural. The Brooksville Raid takes place on the third weekend each January at the Sand Hill Scout Reservation. The reenactment, commemorates the Civil War battle that took place in Hernando County on June 3, 1864. At that time, Union ships landed at Bayport for a raid into the interior of Florida to break up Confederate supply and communication lines to the North. Most of the generals were in Tampa for a conference that day, which left the location vulnerable for an attack. Union ships brought 240 men, who marched inland, burning and destroying everything in a path of six miles wide and 20 miles long. The Union ships were sunk, and we sank one of our own so that the Union army could not benefit from our supplies.

The "You Are Loved" mural is located on Brooksville Ave, and was painted by local artist Leah Tinsley of Creative ArtNest. The mural was created live during the annual Art In The Park weekend and was sponsored by Pam and Dennis Wilfong. It is painted on the Downtown Loser building. Don't get nervous the Downtown Loser is a nutrition business.

In the "Mountaineer Brooksville" mural, each letter has its own meaning and representation of Brooksville and stands 22”x 30”. The owners of Mountaineer Coffee and Barn Ministry wanted a classic Florida postcard style mural that symbolized the great landmarks and activities our home is known for. This mural has quickly become a photo spot in town where users grab their coffee and take quick shots to show off the town they love.

This was a unique mural framing a door on a side street off of Broad Street. I could find no information about it, but that does not make it any less interesting!

Enough of murals, Charlie wants some craft beer! We are headed to Marker 48 Brewing in Spring Hill. Marker 48 Brewing was founded by Maurice and Tina Ryman, Hernando County natives and high school sweethearts who grew up in the same area as the brewery they now own together. The couple has two children and day jobs where they run a technology company that they also co-founded. Every summer they would travel with their two children in an RV around the country. As they visited more and more craft breweries, they would take note of ideas that they felt would work well in a brewery, if they ever were to open one.

This brewery can claim a few “firsts” for the area. First, it is the only brewery in the country that draws water from the same source where mermaids live (sort of). Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has been home to a live mermaid show for decades, and a holiday at the springs is mere miles from the brewery. In the small, mostly rural cities of Brooksville and Weeki Wachee, the springs, and the mermaids, are a landmark full of crystal clear waters that have brought tourists and popular attention to Hernando County.

Second, when the brewery opened in October 2015, it was the only operating brewery in Hernando County. That count is now up to two. Marker 48 also put a twist on its crowdfunding campaign. The brewery didn’t ask for money, but for sweat equity in building this dream. In all of these, the brewery and its staff have made an indelible mark on the community that they serve.

Transforming the rented mechanic shop into a brewery and beer garden was no small task. While other breweries were funding their own expansions, buildings and systems with crowdfunding, Maurice and Tina decided what they really needed most was help with labor. They offered their online supporters and Facebook friends a way that they could help the fledgling brewery and get rewarded: they could join the Founding 48 Club. 

This club would guarantee the member one beer each day for life in exchange for 40 hours of hard labor; members could also make a pledge that involved a combination of fewer hours of work as well as a financial donation. The members could pick which they would like to give and the members could choose from a series of days they would like to work. After signups, dropouts and additions, the club would end up with 72 members.

After volunteer signups were over, Maurice and Tina began transforming their space into a functional brewery. Maurice remembers showing up on the first Saturday the club was around: “I bought paint and four rollers, thinking a few folks would show up to help me. When I pulled up to the brewery there were 40 people waiting for me, looking to work.” He promptly texted his wife and asked her to pick up more supplies.

 

Maurice and Tina knew that they wanted to work on the “wow factor” of their space, so they made sure the beer garden was family- and dog-friendly and included extras inside and outside for patrons. Outside would include an overhead shade, cornhole and a walk-up bar made from an Airstream-style trailer. Inside would include a copper strip on a table that would prevent a patron’s beer from getting cold on that spot. Opening day came on October 21, 2015, after months of labor from the Founding 48 helped make it happen. The first beer tapped was an homage to the community: Mermaid’s Milk Stout.

Paying homage to their traveling and other craft breweries, there is a sticker door. Which those of you that know me, I was fascinated with. But, after spending the better part of two days scraping the stickers off our old RV... there are no new stickers going on this rig!

A trip to Brooksville would never be complete without a trip to something Florida Cracker. Charlie and I were not really hungry for a big meal. So, we opted for a stop at Florida Cracker Taproom and Bourbon Bar. 

It is located between the original Florida Cracker Kitchen and Trading Company Store. They house over 180 Bourbons, 60+ Bottles of Tequila, and a full craft cocktail selection with craft Gins and Vodkas. 

Plus, you can enjoy their unique bar and stone-fired pizzas menu! Since we started with beers earlier today, we stayed with their ever-rotating taps of craft beer. We did decide that we wanted something to munch on, so Charlie got his jumbo pretzel!

Friday mornings walk was a bit foggy and the fog added to the uniqueness of the Veteran's Memorial at the Clover Leaf Farm Manufactured Home that is attached to the RV Resort. There must be a good number of Navy Veterans here in this community, that can be the only explanation for the submarine.

We had a lazy day today. There is a mermaid trail between Brooksville, Spring Hill and Weeki-Wachee, but we did not feel like doing a ton of driving today. In our research we learned that Broad Street Brewing Company has live music tonight. So, we are headed there later. When we were leaving the Marker 48 Brewery yesterday, a food truck was headed in. It was a grilled cheese food truck. That same food truck will be at Broad Street tonight. We will be eating there. I was so very excited because I was going to have my "Field Trippin' PB&J" Sparkler. All I have read about this flavor is good. I have to say, it was far beyond what I expected! You literally can taste the peanut butter and jam!

Meltdown was the food truck. It is all about the love of CHEESE! It's a family-owned food truck based in Bushnell Florida! They serve delicious, fun, and creative grilled cheese sandwiches alongside tasty sides, including tomato soup. 

Their passion is ensuring guest enjoys a memorable experience with their "Grown Up" grilled cheese sandwiches, paired perfectly with Tomato Soup, Mac n' Cheese bites, and Wisconsin cheese curds!

Saturday morning we will be heading home. Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures