Homossassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Wow! What a fantastic time we had visiting the Homosssassa Springs Wildlife Park on Thursday. We were part of a group from the Digital Photo class Les participates in. This park is definitely something that you do not want to miss when you are down this way. It is very reasonably priced, and the food items are also priced low. What a deal!

We were taken by tram to the main part of the park. From there we could walk along boardwalk through wonderful displays of Florida birds and wildlife,, all in their own habitats. Beautiful Flamingos, Pelicans, Swans, ducks, , and plenty of Turkey Vultures, all cohabitating together. Also, there were Black Bears, Florida Panthers, Otters, a cougar (eat your heart out, Delaware), Balk Eagles, Owls, and many other animals, we viewed “up close and personal”. But, the very best part for us was the Manatee! They make their way up the Homossassa River to the Springs at the head of the river. because of the warmer water. We saw a wonderful demonstration of their feeding, and learned that they are kin to the elephant, and can weight as much as 3000 pounds. They are very gentle, and are vegetarians. Their only enemy is “us” with our boat propellers, fishing lines, and garbage in the water. They prefer shallow warm water, less than 20 feet deep. The Manatee we viewed are ones that had been rescue3d, and they will continue to live there. There are “wild” Manatee that are kept on the other side of the bridge partition, and they will go back out into the rivers and Gulf area

Of course, the Alligators were also on display, and we found them to be very interesting animals. Not nice, but interesting! FYI: After they mate, mommy lays her eggs in a hole in the sand. The babies will be male or female depending on the depth and temperature in the hole. Those which are below 86* will be male, and those above 86* will be female. When the babies are ready to be born, they make a noise, and mommy comes crawling over to the hole. She then helps to remove the shells from them and carries them by mouth, to the edge of the water. She can have 200-300 babies, but only 3 or 4 survive as they become “food” for other creatures. Now, aren’t you glad you know this? The Park also houses Lu, the Hippo! However Lu decided to continue his afternoon nap, and we did not get to see him eat. He weighs 6000 pounds, which is as much as our
Trailer!!!!
Another highlight was the underwater viewing of “schools of fish” around the warm water spring located under the viewing area. The “schools” are so thick with fish, one can not see through to the other side. Fascinating!!!! The spring pumps up 3 million gallons of water each hour!!!!! That was an AWESOME sight!!!

Hopefully, our pictures will do our visit justice. We had a wonderful day, and would have loved having you with us. When we get home we will share them ALL with you.

Take good care! Love, Mary Ann, Les & Polly

Sarasota Rally

We would like to share our adventures at the Sarasota Airstream Rally. We arrived in Sarasota a week ago Tuesday, and arrived back at TR on Sunday. We had a really good time, chatting with friends, attending some workshops and a fashion show, and visiting the vendors. Entertainment, including Ronnie and the Rockets was held every evening, with door prizes and ice cream to follow. What more could one want???? The Vintage Airstreams hosted an “Open House”, and it is really neat to see how folks have fixed up these “oldies but goodies”.

We “thrift shopped” one day, and explored Sarasota. What a pretty city!!! It is “soooooooo Florida”! They hosted a roast beef dinner for all of us on Saturday evening, and there was a wonderful church service on Sunday morning.

When we attend these Rallies, we have electric service of 3 amps, which means that Mary Ann must brew her coffee on the stove, AND Mary Ann’s hair does not always look its perky best because we don’t dare use a hair dryer! I did manage to walk my wet head down to the bathroom and dry it with my electric dryer. I felt much better!!! We have water hookup, and we can shower etc. in our trailer, but we must watch our tanks as we do NOT want them backing up in the trailer. YUCK! So much for the lurid details. We did have fun, and we look forward to our trip to Madison, Wisconsin this summer.

Enjoy,
Les, Mary Ann & Miss Polly

AT HOME IN TRAVELERS REST

We would like to share Travelers Rest with you so that you can visualize where we are and what we are doing. Travelers Rest Resort Park contains three different areas in which to live. The first part is called “RV South, and that is where we are staying. There are sites with trailers on them, and a shed as well, and a cement patio. Then there are “Park Trailers similar to the one we have at the Beach. Then some folks have single wide type trailers. Another area is called the “Cabana” area, where folks have their trailers, along with a cabana room, which provides additional living space. Finally, there is the “Village” comprised of Double wide modular home on a lot they own. In addition, “The Hill” is available for “first come, first served” basis, with full hook ups.

You will see the heated pool, Bocci Ball court, Snack Shack, Shuffleboard court, Vanishing Lake, Remote Control Boats on Mirror Lake, Busch Hall, where I sew and quilt, and many shows and programs take place. You will also see my Sandhill Crane friend, There is a nine hole golf course, and a beautiful garden walk along Lake Margaret. We also have our own “resident Alligator” who lounges in the sun on the third hold at the golf course. TR is surrounded by groves of oranges and kumquats! There are many horse farms around, as well as cattle ranches. In fact, someone said that there are more cattle here in Florida, than in Texas. I don’t know about that.

We have a wonderful minister here on site, and a very uplifting church service and Bible study each Sunday morning. There are many classes and workshops, and our own “first responders” and fire station. We would love having all of you down here with us. But, we hope this will give you an idea of where we are, and what we are doing.

At present we are attending an Airstream Rally in Sarasota. Sarasota is a very pretty city, and probably ‘typically” Florida. We will return to TR on Sunday.

Enjoy,
Les, Mary Ann & Miss Polly

Lion Country Safari

Have you ever had the “thrill” of driving through the Jungle amidst Lions, Wildebeests, Brown Pelicans, Giraffes, Giant Zebras, Asiatic Water Buffalo, Nilgai, Chimpanzees, Mouflon, Aldabra Tortoise, Ostrich,, and many more I can’t spell! It was great seeing them in their native habitat. We actually fed a Giraffe, and visited the Lori Aviary where the little birds landed on our arms and shoulders, and we could feed them. It was comical watching the Flamingo argue as they poked out their long necks at each other. The Park was beautiful, and each area was designated for specific habitat and animals. Las Pampas contained the Pelican, Rhea, South American Tapir, Aldabra Tortoise, and Llama. Gorongosa Reserve held Afrikan Lion, and Ostrich. Ruaha National Park contained Impala, Greater Kudu, and Aoudad. There were many others, but I think I have confused you enough. You will need to go to Africa to see the rest!!! I told Les that I have no need to travel that far as I have seen it all!!!! We had a wonderful time. There is so much to see and take us out of our ordinary world! We are blessed!!!

Enjoy! Les, Mary Ann & Miss Polly