2014 Spring

What’s Happening in Homosassa

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins David Levy Yulee was born on St. Thomas in 1810, educated in Florida, married a Kentucky girl and bought a 5,100-acre plantation called Margarita near the Homosassa River. By 1851 Yulee’s sugar mill had more than 150 slaves. During the Civil War, Union troops burned the place, and the stone mill fell into ruin. See it along Yulee Drive. The ruins of his house are near MacRae’s. Yulee built one of Florida’s first railroads, running from nearby Cedar Key to Florida’s east coast. Old Mill Tavern Next to the Sugar Mill Ruins is another watering hole with an extended happy hour and lots of edibles that require a cold beer: wings and shrimp in a mul- titude of flavors, all served with nachos and veggies, salsa and ranch or blue cheese dressing. If you choose the Sui- cide Hot items, you must sign a waiver. Eat indoors or out. Be friendly; every- one else is. Entertainment provided by Flashpoint Neal on Saturday, Big Dave on Sunday. Printing Museum Across the street from the Sugar Mill Ruins is the Olde Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum. Curiosity got us in the door. As you wander through the

Neon Leon’s Zydeco Steakhouse Named for Leon Wilkeson, bass guitar- ist for Lynyrd Skynard, and run by his family, the restaurant maintains the live zydeco music and culinary flavors of southern Louisiana including Creole and Cajun food. Many from the RV park come here regularly—it’s a hoot. It’s a bit of the bawdy, hilarious, ridiculous and delicious. Old Homosassa Smokehouse Another place we frequented more than once was the Old Homosassa Smokehouse, a seafood market that has great smoked fish and various dips. We called ahead for take-out to carry back to the campground to eat with wine and crackers. for more information Florida Tourism, visitflorida.com Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, homosassasprings.org The Sunshine State has a couple of Coast Deluxe Resorts and 61 Good Neighbor Parks, including Crystal Isle, an Encore RV Resort near Homosassa in the town of Crystal River. Florida also has 202 Good Sam Parks, among them Homosassa River Carefree RV Resort, the Homosassa home base for the authors and their fifth-wheel trailer.

artifacts, you come to a courtyard that’s the venue for summer evening blues concerts. Every Saturday night they have an opening act followed by their featured performer. Become a member of Nature Coast Friends of the Blues for five bucks. With your fee you get discounts in the café and around town. There’s also a café here where you can grab a Cuban sand- wich platter for lunch. River Safaris and Gulf Charters Come here for boat rentals, airboat rides, gift shops stocked with the wares of local artisans and a big live alligator. The historic marker outside indicates the existence of the Homosassa train station in the early 1900s. Running between here and Ocala, the train transported tour- ists in and smoked mullet, crabs, cedar, spring water and Spanish moss out. The train ran down what’s now Fishbowl Drive and through Homosassa Wildlife Park, stopping at the springs. Art Shops of Old Homosassa What a fine and expensive experience we had ogling, then owning fine works of pottery, jewelry and glass. Up front is Pepper Creek Pottery, and in the back is the Glass Garage. All the art is created on the premises, so you can see the artisans at work. A must-stop.

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