Fun things to do in Weeki Wachee

Every now and then we leave the peace and tranquility of our woods and head out into the "big city".  I should explain that the big cities here in Hernando county have expansive areas and hardly any people.  The population for Brooskville, FL is around 7,000,  Weeki Wachee's 8,000, Springhill is by far the most congested with a population hovering slightly under 100,000. So we try to avoid SpringHill, although sometimes it's a must.  Clearwater, FL where we moved from was no prize either its population was over 110,000. Clearwater is in Pinellas County the tiniest county in all of Florida yet has a population close to a million! Or 1/36 the ENTIRE population of all of Canada. During snowbird season you can double that. When you think of it in those terms it seems nuts to live there.  Oh sure they have great beaches. Like the old saying goes a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there! Anyway back to the original topic.

There are attractions near here where you can spend a few hours and not get trampled in Disney crowd stampedes. Not too far from us on Commercial Way is Weeki Wachee Springs State park. The home of the Mermaids!  This landmark was made famous by two reality shows:  Larry the Cable Guy's -Only in America and "The Simple Life" with Paris Hilton and her friend Nicole.  Both Larry and Paris were Mermaids for the day at the park. While Paris made a very pretty one Larry the Cable guy looked like a misplaced Walrus. We enjoyed both programs even though "The Simple Life" mistakenly said it was in Tampa. I HATE IT when they say that!  Weeki Wachee and Brooskville are so not Tampa!  This mistake happens frequently as there are 6 counties considered the Tampa Bay "Area", including Hernando and Pinellas.  But they are not near the city of Tampa! That is in Hillsborough County.

Young Bri and a Weeki Wachee Mermaid

  Another local attraction made famous by a Cameo in "The Simple Life" was Boyett's Grove attraction and zoo.  It has a cute gift shop filled with Florida Kitsch, a dinosaur exhibit and a zoo. It makes for a fun afternoon, again with small crowds and a low price.

Dumais family in front of fossil display at Boyett's

  There is only one beach in Hernando County, Pine Island. It's okay, has a beach area, little cafe for refreshments, restrooms, and a playground.  Not like the fancy and famous beaches in Pinellas but you can swim, get a tan, etc.  What else could you ask for?

Boyett's Coatimundi

The best fishing areas are Bayport and Jenkins creek, both in Weeki Wachee.  Other than that you would need a boat to catch anything sizeable.  I've seen nice trout brought up at Jenkins and Jim has caught Snapper and one 16 inch Flounder at Bayport.  There is a Historical marker at Bayport that explains about the Civil War skirmishes held in that area.  Every year there is a Civil War re-enactment at Sand Hill Scout Reservation to mark the occasion.  http://www.brooksvilleraidreenactment.com/

Brooksville raid

There are several Indian Festivals held throughout the area. They are always a fun way to spend the day.

                                           

Several local farms offer Blueberry or Strawberry picking. There is a blueberry farm down the street from us. We always wondered why we kept hearing loud guns certain times of the year. Turns out it was air canons firing to keep the birds away from the Blueberries!

This area is also loaded with horse farms, including some exotics that many people have never heard of like Paso Fino, Ardene and Fjord horses. We were lucky enough to visit a Fjord/Ardene horse farm called "Clover Oaks Fjord Farm". The woman who owned it was super friendly and wearing a funny tee shirt that said "I would rather drive a Fjord." LOL.  Both of these breeds trace back to pre-historic times and have retained their sturdiness and ancient looks, the Fjord with it's upright hairbrush mane and the Ardene with it's solid heavily feathered legs.  So gorgeous and well cared for!  

Fjord

                          

Champion Ardene

 Fjord

The next county north of us is Citrus County.  We are close to it's border and visit that county quite frequently.Their main attraction is "Homosassa Springs State Park".  While Weeki Wachee Springs is well known for their Mermaids, this park is well known for what ancient mariners "thought" were mermaids-Manatees. I would like to know how long they had to be at sea to believe they were beautiful sirens.  But I guess after years at sea and a few barrels of Rum anything would start to look good.

A manatee at Homosassa Springs eating a carrot

Florida Panther at Homosassa

Florida Black Bear at Homosassa

 Not to far from there are the Yulee Sugar Mill ruins.  It's historic and there are parks, and picnic areas nearby.  Another fun way to kill time on a weekend.  

The girls at Yulee mill ruins

Giant cog wheels at Yulee mill

Water bubbling up from a well near the ruins.  

  The longer we live here the more fun we are finding. Every Halloween there are corn mazes to get lost in and haunted hay rides with Civil War ghosts dragging away participants.   Weeki Wachee has "Wild and Wicked"  Halloween nights.  Christmas time has area parks decorated for the season as well.  Then when the day is done we scurry back to our safe haven away from it all!