We left Monday morning for the West coast of Florida and Cedar Key. This unique little town is on several small islands / keys in the Gulf of Mexico and is part of the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge. Temps were in the low 70's, blue sky, and no wind -- a beautiful day to ride! We had a leisurely ride west on the Kawasaki, staying off the interstate & turnpike. Took US 27 north to Leesburg and then state road 44 all the way to the Gulf and Seven Rivers. We stopped at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park; there are a number of Indian mounds along the river several miles from the Gulf and the tidewater region. Interesting, informative little park. Coming in to the park we saw a couple of wild hogs and their 6 piglets along the access road to the park, and when leaving a bobcat loped across the road! Another 30 miles north and 25 miles west to Cedar Key.We stayed at a condo rental recommended by our lower division principal, The Island Place, right on the bay. Sat on the porch, read a book, and watched the birds & fishermen for a while. We ate at seafood restaurants both evenings...shrimp, 
grouper, and clam chowder! On Tuesday we took a 3 hour tour (reminded my of Gilligan's Island!) by boat around the keys to see the birds. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed ithe trip immensely. Saw over 2 dozen different species of birds and I got 12 new ones for my life list. Marbled godwit; Forster, Royal, & Caspian terns; oystercatcher; black skimmer; dowitcher; long-billed curlew;semi-palmated plover; whimbrel; laughing, herring, & ring-billed gulls. As well as many white pelicans, 3 pairs of bald eagles and one young one, and pods of dolphins. Our guide also talked about the tidewater region, grasses, trees, migratory habits of birds, the local multi-
million dollar clam industry, and the reason that Cedar Key was first populated -- J. Eberhard Faber harvested the local red cedars for his pencils.
Had about an hour of light rain while coming home this morning, but we were warm & dry by the time we pulled into the garage. Saw deer, wild turkey, a small burrowing owl, and while we were stopped along a road in the Ocala National Forest a Sandhill Crane walked by across the street. 335 miles and 42 MPG!
By the way, we have dozens of flowers on the grapefruit tree, as well as 3 orchids in full bloom -- 2 purple & white phaelenopsis and one Miltonia
(with the Calvin colors).
grouper, and clam chowder! On Tuesday we took a 3 hour tour (reminded my of Gilligan's Island!) by boat around the keys to see the birds. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed ithe trip immensely. Saw over 2 dozen different species of birds and I got 12 new ones for my life list. Marbled godwit; Forster, Royal, & Caspian terns; oystercatcher; black skimmer; dowitcher; long-billed curlew;semi-palmated plover; whimbrel; laughing, herring, & ring-billed gulls. As well as many white pelicans, 3 pairs of bald eagles and one young one, and pods of dolphins. Our guide also talked about the tidewater region, grasses, trees, migratory habits of birds, the local multi-
million dollar clam industry, and the reason that Cedar Key was first populated -- J. Eberhard Faber harvested the local red cedars for his pencils.Had about an hour of light rain while coming home this morning, but we were warm & dry by the time we pulled into the garage. Saw deer, wild turkey, a small burrowing owl, and while we were stopped along a road in the Ocala National Forest a Sandhill Crane walked by across the street. 335 miles and 42 MPG!
By the way, we have dozens of flowers on the grapefruit tree, as well as 3 orchids in full bloom -- 2 purple & white phaelenopsis and one Miltonia
(with the Calvin colors).Smaller shore birds & White Pelicans
I caught this dolphin in mid-jump as he was playing in the wake behind our boat.
