20060114 - Crystal River (We visit Chassahowitzka Wildlife Refuge)

This was a pretty busy week for us. Monday, Bob's sister Lynn arrived. She was on her way from her home in New York to her home in Florida. Additionally, both Rich and Bob had some work to do on their rigs. Tuesday, we went on an airboat ride from Homasassa Springs out to the Gulf of Mexico through Chassahowitzka Wildlife Refuge. It was a wonderful ride. The river was beautiful, with all kinds of birds. The islands in the gulf reminded me of Tahiti. Coming back the captain did some zig-zagging through the grasses. It was cool. That night we had dinner with Bob and Connie’s neighbors. We had a neat time - good food, good talk.
Wednesday, Lynn left us and as we were visiting to say good-bye we saw 11 Whooping Cranes fly over the RV Park following an ultra light. Last month we watched these Cranes at the end (we thought) of their migration from Wisconsin. As we discovered later they were going to an interim home on the Halpata Preserve to wait there until older birds finished their migration and left Chassahowitzka for other areas. We saw the younger birds as they were being led from the interim site near Dunnellon, to the final stop in Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. It was very cool, they were flying lower, but of course I did not have my camera. That evening we celebrated Bob and Connie’s last evening in Florida and their anniversary.
Thursday, Bob and Connie left for Pensacola. I spent the morning in a class on my new sewing machine. It was a good class. These new machines have so many new bells and whistles you need to take a class to really learn to utilize them. It is too easy to never use the things you paid a premium for. Friday, I took an all day machine quilting class. In addition to learning some new techniques, I got in lots of practice time.
Saturday, Rich and I went to the Manatee Festival in Crystal River. It had a Crafts Fair, Entertainment, Food, and a juried Art Show. It was a beautiful cold crisp day. They were supposed to have boat rides but it was too windy for the boats. And then we watched football. Go Hawks. Sunday, we pretty much watched Football all day.