Dot's Way Cruising Cat: March 2021

After our morning tour of Cedar Key, the wind had calmed down and already switched directions and within a couple hours it was glassy calm again as we headed south. We could see the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant on the horizon and a huge tug and barge on the horizon heading out. We caught the incoming high tide and the river was wide and lined with markers. We passed the Indian Mound and the intersection to Sisters Creek and saw the marina. We are anchored in King's Bay near Pete's Pier Marina off the town of Crystal River. There are about a dozen boats with only several with folks on board.

Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant

Bald Eagle spotted along Crystal River

Sister's Creek Marina

Indian Burial Mound

King's Bay at Crystal River and Pete's Pier Marina

Cruisers on a power catamaran anchored on the other side of the island in King's Bay cruised by in their dinghy to say hello as they are headed in the opposite direction from Tarpon Springs to Carrabelle. We decided on the King's Bay City Park dinghy dock to land the dinghy across from the dinghy dock at Pete's Pier Marina. We walked down Citrus Avenue and found the Dockside Deli, a hidden gem according to the reviews and they were correct. We ate a delicious omelet by ourselves on their back deck overlooking the dock where tourists were preparing to go diving. We walked the River Walk on our way to finding Crystal Avenue where library is located. The avenue was lined with old live oaks planted years back giving it an inviting shady path that intersected with the Crosstown Biking and Hiking Trail on the old railway. The Lion's Club is in the old railroad depot.

Peddlers on pontoons

Great mural at public parking lot

Diving and kayak rentals

Cruiser friendly waterfront

Tour boats galore

Art in the park

The old Crystal River Railroad Depot

Stately live oaks planted on what was main thoroughfare

Fitness, biking and hiking Crosstown Trail

Gorgeous water lilies

Bottlebrush blooming

This morning we headed ashore to Heritage Village where we had spotted Cattle Dog Grinder Cafe as a breakfast spot with a huge front porch for seating. Following our lattes and breakfast sandwiches, we continued on the Crosstown Trail to the Post Office. We followed the Sisters Spring Trail to the entrance of the Conservation Park. We circled around and located the Copp Brewery and Winery to check out their outdoor seating. We went past the closed down grocery store and ran into the West Marine on our walk. For the afternoon we headed back down the river to the Archeological State Park and cruised into the Fort Trail State Park boat launch. The ranger directed us back across the river to the visitor center and we also cruised up the canal to another canoe launch. Then back to King's Bay, we then circled the island to the other anchorage and did see the restrictive markers for entering the springs area. The weather turns from warm shorts weather to cold in the morning.

Heritage Park shop

Tourist traps

Breakfast spot

Entrance to either walk, bike or shuttle in to boardwalk

Too early to stop in

Startled at boat ramp

Great canal system

Turtles sunning along canal

Grackles along the marsh

Ducks around the boat

Unfortunate abandoned boat swarmed by birds

Several houseboats around the island

We wandered back to Cattle Dog Grinders for breakfast and then hiked to Hunter Springs Park and Pete's Pier Marina waiting for the S/V Pamela crew, Pam, and Bob to arrive. We spotted our first manatee by the dinghy dock.

Spotted a manatee at the dinghy dock

Definite manatee influence around town

Hunter River Springs eelgrass restoration

Mermaid themed Bed and Breakfast

Beauty flowering along the Crosstown Trail

Tropical ferns on palms

Beautiful water lilies

Fishy bench at Pete's Pier

A following of pelicans with the crabbers

A road trip to Crystal River Archeological State Park where we climbed the Indian Mounds along the Crystal River. Then we hiked along the canal at the Crystal River Preserve State Park. A final stop at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park in Homosassa Springs.

Hiking to the observation deck on top of Indian Mound

Great river view

Oyster shell mound

The image carved into the rock

Tall, tall palms

Hike around cove at Crystal River Preserve Park

Thriving roadside thistle

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park

Huge strangler vine

Sunset over King's Bay

A farewell to our crew was followed by a visit to the Coastal Heritage free museum in the old City Hall. We viewed the great history exhibit with a personal guide. We headed back to Charlie's Seafood Market for fresh shrimp for boiling for dinner along with a smoked mullet to make a dip. The next stop was Copp Brewery and Winery where we enjoyed several local beers along with the huge pretzels and beer mustard.

The town square and view of St. John's Tavern with great courtyard dining

Says it all

History in the old city hall, fire station, and jail combined

Fishy tales

Fish bones

Local artist at the steak house

Riverwalk to city park with concrete stamped to look like a boardwalk

Copp's Brewery and Winery

Fantastic wine labels

Our last day in Crystal River after doing laundry yesterday, we headed by the grocery store, pharmacy, auto supply and passed a little library book exchange on the way. We found the water hose at the city dock thanks to a local cruiser.