What's to see at Cedar Key continues

We had been in downtown Cedar Key several times.  What there was to do we had done, what there was to see we had seen.  Perhaps it was that time of year, nothing going on as there was no special events on the calendar.  For whatever the reason it seemed dull to us.  The locals seem to have a very slow pace and they were on Island Time most of the time.  There was a combination of hours kept by the local businesses, not all were open at the same time.  Those that kept regular hours didn't keep regular days. It seemed they closed or opened on their own schedule.  We decided to go in search for other events.

The town of Chiefland was 38 miles away, northwest of our location.  Taking Hwy 24 east to Rosewood and then turning left on Hwy 345 straight into Chiefland.  We went there in hopes of things to do.  We checked out a few antique stores and ventured over to the local Wal-Mart.   There were lots of places to eat, both restaurant and fast food type.  We filled up our diesel truck and headed back to the RV Resort.  There's only so much fun you can put up with in one day, ha ha. 

The following day we headed back to Chiefland then turning west on Hwy 320 to Manatee Springs  State Park.  Kathie was in hope she'd see a big sea cow as they are called by the locals.  Like everything else, it was the wrong time of year.  The Manatees were no where in sight.  Let me back up and just say there was none in the waters.  We did get a chance to ride one on land, ha ha

It was a beautiful park with a large board walk thru the cypress swamp.  We spent the majority  of our time there walking thru the swamp and even checking out their campground.  The camping sites were primitive and not very big.  No way we could have gotten our Vaca House into any of them.  The park wasn't crowded and it was a very relaxing time.  Maybe we were starting to get on Island Time, ha ha.

 

The board walk winds in and out thru the cypress tree's and knee's.  Just when you think you're looking at something of great beauty, it's even more beautiful around the next turn.

 

 

The river was void of manatee this time of year but full of large fish.  Lots of turtle and water snakes.  I was glad to be elevated far above the waters surface, ha ha.  I did expect to see Tarzan swim by, he was a no show as well.

 

 

Not even the "Swamp Creature" was present this time of the year.

 

 

After a full days fun of walking and searching out the elusive Manitee, finding none we headed back toward Cedar Key.  We had done about all we could and now it was time to search out what the locals did for fun.  Tomorrow we would again go into Cedar Key.  Only this time we'd head for the other part of the island.

 

It had been a great day. We were going back to the Resort for liquid refreshments and to grill up some pork chops.  That pig was calling my name.

 

 

 

The next morning we again took aim on Cedar Key. Instead of being a tourist we would go in search of local events.  Kathie was all smiles as we started the day.  Sometimes I wonder about her, it just doesn't matter to her what she does. She enjoys the simplest of things.  Explains why she's with me, lol.

 

We loaded up and headed into town.  Of course stopping at the Cedar Key sign for a picture, proving that you were there.  Notice! Their Clams are farm grown.  Then I guess the reason Steamers Restaurant ran out of them, bad harvest or short growing season? Ha ha, maybe the pickers were on Island Time.

 

 

Instead of following the road to the end, we took a right turn and headed across the island.  There was an airport, small and private without a control tower.  I logged many an hour flying in and out of these small gems of general aviation.  Several small planes were tied down in the grass.  Types of which I had flown many times over my flying career..  The manager at the Resort said it was a great spot to observe the sunset.  We were much too early for a sunset.  There was a nature trail on the island so we opted for that.  The trail was a board walk that circled the island's cemetery.

 

 

 As we walked out onto the platform, built out over the marsh, several small boats lay swamped, wrecks that had gone unclaimed.

 

 

 

The boardwalk had a great view of the western side of the island.  We had a good view of the homes and the waters that was in abundance.  I'm sure that the people who live here enjoyed their lives and it was a great place to live.  They seemed to be happy and didn't want to consider anywhere else.  I guess Island Times gets into your blood after a while :)

 

 

 

The boardwalk ran about half a mile or so.  At the far end we set our feet back on land and took a walk thru the cemetery.  I'm always curious about graveyards and those who are buried there.  Sometimes you can tell a lot about how people live by the way they treat their dead.  This was a very old site, dating back to the 1800's.  I liked the name, "Garden of Remembrance."

 

 

 

There were many different types of grave markers and head stones.  The mounds were also different in style and materials. Here the mound cover is crushed up oyster shells mixed into the cement.  There were mounds of oyster shells piled atop the ground to mark the final resting place. Large conk shells were also used.

 

 

This green eyed beauty was being feed atop the slab, by someone!  Perhaps believing it was the spirit of a lost loved one.  It watched us with interest as we walked past.

 

 

I felt the caretakers did a poor job with the over all upkeep.  There was little or no grass, bushes and tree's over grown and the ground littered with leaves, limbs and trash of all sorts.   Perhaps no living relatives to stop by and to ensure area beautification, no one took an interest in upkeep.

 

 

Looking at some of the plots, the names and date of death.  I couldn't help but to wonder.  "What if , instead of a person it was a pirates treasure buried within?" 

 

 

Leaving the deceased we headed back to town.  It was to be our last day and we wanted to pick up a few last minute souvenirs.  First we would stop in a quant little open air burger joint for lunch. It wasn't crowded and we had our pick of seating.  The sign on their bathroom door read for patrons only,  all others must pay $6.00.  I bet they collected a fortune with those lining up to get in.

 

 

After lunch we again shopped the local stores.  Kathie found a few more items she liked.  I picked up a couple of those impulse items, you know?  The ones you can't live without!  We would say good bye to this little island of mud and shells, most likely to never again return.  But never say never, we may again get this way.  You just never know where your travels of retirement and leisure will lead.  For now we were off to our RV Resort. Our little place in the shade were long streamers of Spanish Moss hung flowing in the breeze.

 

 

Our Vaca House nestled below the long hangings of moss.

 

 

 Once back to the Live Oak Forest of our base camp. Kathie would work on her tan/sunburn and I would settle in for a few hours of checking my eye lids for holes.  It had been a hard day of Island Time and I was exhausted, ha ha. Tonight we would dine at home, grilled rib eye.

 

 

 After dinner we returned to the pier and witnessed a spectacle sunset over the shore line.

 

 

 

I think we were just starting to get a handle on this Island Time stuff, then it was time to break camp and head up the road.  Our week had gone by pretty fast.  Maybe we hadn't given credit where credit was due.  Cedar Key is loved by many an RV'er and vacationer alike.  It's a great spot for fishing and kayaking, the waters around the islands are only about 5' deep on the average. 

 

 

Great place to ride your bicycle, lots of trails for riding, walking and enjoying nature.  Thousands of birds call these small chain of islands home.  Bird watchers and enthusiasts flock here to watch, film and take still photos of the many native and rare species. 

 

 

 

Several 18 hole, par 72 golf courses are within a short drive.  Plus you can enjoy the lazy leisure Island Time of life :)  What didn't appeal or interest us does intrigue thousands of others.  Lets face it! "We can't always be right about what others like."  We are only responsible for our own happiness :)  You may enjoy Cedar Key and all it does or doesn't offer.  Take a trip and see for yourself.  Don't forget to let us know how you liked it.  As for us, first time I've ever had to ask myself! "Why go Dutch?"  I'm sure it may not be the last time.  That's life on the road, you'll never know unless you give it a chance.