Crystal River, FL

Centrally located, Citrus County is boarded by spring fed rivers and the Gulf of Mexico and is nestled among protected bird sanctuaries. It is only an hour and half drive from Disney, Busch Gardens , Daytona Beach , Historical Ybor City , and much more!

Citrus County, Florida is a place full of character with an array of beautiful views that has something to offer everyone. It is filled with designated hiking and bike paths and horseback riding trails. It also has snorkeling and diving and swimming with the manatees in the all year round 72 degree spring fed waters. Fun cannot be avoided in any occasion. It is a place where you can comfortably retire or raise a family.

Citrus County offers a wide variety of housing opportunities from the historical lakes of Floral City to the rolling equestrian estates of Pine Ridge. For the avid fisherman it provides seven fresh water rivers, most flowing into the Gulf of Mexico giving the angler the choice of fresh or saltwater fishing in the same day. Spotted throughout the area are some of the Southeast's finest golf courses with many fairway home sites available today.

Although close to the major cities of Florida, Citrus County remains quaint and therefore is proudly called the

"Nature's Coast".

3BR/2BA 28X52 PLUS 12X26 ADDED ROOM.TOTAL 1768 SQ FT... CH&A--CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA ...2 ACRES HOMESTEADED TOGETHER TO SAVE ON TAXES. ADDED ROOM HAS CLOSED LAUNDRY ROOM ONE END. USING DEN AS POOL TABLE RM AND COMPUTER ROOM.. ABOVEGRND POOL W/DECK.. 5 OUTBUILDINGS...ONE SHED IS 10X16 VINYL SIDING...LEAVING 3 WOOD PICNIC TABLES..1 CONCRETE TABLE WITH SEATS...LEAVING A 42" RIDING MOWER..l WILL LEAVE 2 POCKET BIKES--LEAVING A TRAMPOLINE--WILL LEAVE A GENERATOR . ...IT IS ALL SET UP WITH A SMALL 10000 BTU IN MASTER BDRM. IT WILL ALSO CARRY THE FRIDGES AND A MICROWAVE ,TV, AND SOME LIGHTS.GREAT FOR POWER OUTAGES.. SELLER TO GIVE $20000.00 CASH AT CLOSING. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/florida-buy-mobile-home-home-12789088.html

Gainesville Day Trip: Kayaking in Crystal River, Florida

Located less than 90 minutes from Gainesville near the Gulf Coast is Crystal River, home to one of the largest populations of manatees in the world.

The most surprising thing about this kayak trip is how thin a veil separates the wilds of the highway from the wilds of nature.

There are many start-off points for a Crystal River kayak expedition. We began our trip at Crystal River Kayak Company, located at 1420 SE US Hwy 19 in Crystal River, Florida. (NOTE: The mapquest and GPS directions for this company are incorrect.....Crystal River Kayak Company is located in a quonset hut, about a mile or so past the intersection w/Hwy 44).

Talk about convenient....the kayak put-in is located on-site, eliminating the need for shuttles.

The best time to see manatees is November through March. Other wildlife common to the area include dolphins, turtles, fish, alligators, and more species of birds than you can shake a stick at.

A mere ten-minute paddle from put-in is Three Sisters Springs, a critical habitat for manatees which is privately owned and threatened with development.

Leaving Three Sisters Springs, a short paddle brings you into Kings Bay, a popular wintering spot for manatees.

Although we did not see any manatees the day of our kayak expedition, we did see tons of fish and turtles, and even a few dolphins. A beautiful place, so close to Gainesville....we will definitely be back!

Recently an article was posted in our local paper naming Crystal River as one of the top 10 places to snorkel.

In the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to enjoy some of the natural resources we have to offer in our fine county(Citrus County) such as scalloping, snorkeling, Three sisters springs and in the not so distant future the Rainbow River.

It has given me great peace and contentment to know that I have chosen such a wonderful place to live, raise a family, watch my grand kids grow and help people find their dream homes.

Click below to view the whole article:

http://www.chronicleonline.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?071+article+News+2009072122050071071017

Maybe I can help you buy your dream home in our County and you will be enjoy the little peace of heaven we get to enjoy everyday!

Scalloping off the Nature Coast

by Melinda Barry

A few years ago some friends of mine asked if they could use our nature coast home as a jumping off point for their scalloping adventure. The good hostess that I am I said "Sure! It would be great to spend a day out on the water." At the time I had no idea what I was getting myself into because I had never had the experience of scalloping and really didn't know what to expect.

So early on the day of our departure, we loaded up the boat, and set off for the boat ramp on the Homosassa River. Once we launched the boat it took us approximately twenty minutes to get out to where we would first try our hands at the art of scalloping. Being the natural chicken that I am, I proudly stated that I had no problem staying top side to shuck the little suckers. My friends could all have fun snorkeling for the coveted shells. From experience, I figured that shucking scallops couldn't be much different than shucking oysters. I would be a pro at separating out the little yummy hunks of muscle, and the not so yummy gelatinous goop, from the curvaceous scallop shells. Wow, was I wrong. It really takes knack and know-how. However, once you get the hang of it, it is very satisfying to see the bucket fill with miniature morsels of sweet scallop meat. Also, a tired snorkeler frequently came topside to rest and to help me with my shucking duty. The scallops came aboard faster than we could pop them from their aquatic homes.

I was coaxed several times to join the crew of divers, but each time I said "Oh no, thank you. I'm fine right here under the Bimini top." That was my easy excuse, since I am fair skinned and burn easily even with the highest SPF applied over and over again. I especially didn't want to join my fellow boaters because the jellyfish were overly abundant. Each person in the water felt the eerie brush of tentacles on flesh as the jellyfish floated by peacefully. Peaceful or not, I had no desire to enter the depths of the unknown waters we were floating in.

Finally, as the day rolled on and the number of jellyfish actually subsided, I became brave and said I wanted to enter the water to cool off. Well, that was all it took for my friends to encourage me to dive for the little shells they had been gathering all day. Since my fear had somewhat subsided, I asked myself "What do I have to lose?" I borrowed fins, a mask and a snorkel and set out to find the elusive scallop. I looked and looked in the waving green sea grass that is the scallop's favorite hiding place. Then finally I saw one. Down I dove. As I reached the bottom, the scallop caught sight of me with its hundred beady blue eyes. Its shell snapped closed tightly. I picked it up and quickly swam to the surface. What a feeling of great joy and accomplishment it brought me as I shouted out "I got one! I got one!" I dropped it down in the collection bag of a fellow snorkeler and set out to find more. One by one it became easier to find them and more exciting. That was it. I was hooked! Now each year we eagerly await the arrival of our friends so we can head out on our scalloping adventure.*

*Note: scallop fishing requires a fishing license. Make sure to check all regulations about licensure and limits before embarking on your own scalloping adventure.