Annetta J. Burch of Homosassa Springs, Florida, has won two literary awards for this piece and for, To The Mother I Never Knew. She's been active in her community as a journalist and has won prizes for her Culinary Cookbook for the Boys and Girls Club. She's been the activity director for many nursing/retirement homes. She was a founding member of the Central Florida Symphony and works with many organizations as an officer and volunteer. She's also very computer savvy!
Annetta J. Burch
CRUISING THE HOMOSASSA
by
Annetta J. Burch (copyright 1997 All Rights Reserved)
Springtime 1997 has arrived with splendor; the beauty
of this wonderful season is seen everywhere. What better way to
celebrate the early rites of this tremendous season of the year
than to go cruising down the Homosassa River on a lazy
afternoon? The Homosassa is, in my opinion, one of the most
beautiful spots in central Florida.
Sometimes we do things on the spur of the moment. One
recent morning, late, on a weather-perfect day, we decided to
spend some time on "Old Man River". We loaded our gear of
snacks, sodas, water dish for our "baby", Felicia Rene (AKA
"Peaches"), bait, fishing gear, good books and sun block. We
headed out to enjoy a leisurely boat ride up and down the river.
The day was a bit windy but not too much to spoil the
ride. As we made our way slowly through the canal we marveled at
the beautiful old marshes along the way. It was warm and sunny
with the slight breeze making it perfect.
The main artery of the river brought us to MacRae's,
the Yardarm and K C. Crump's. We'd opted to go on a weekday to
have almost the entire river to ourselves. If you want to enjoy
the scenery in peace and quiet then a weekday is the perfect
time to go.
Regardless of when you go, the camaraderie on the
Homosassa River is hard to beat. With every boat that passes
there are always waves and sometimes words. Most people are
considerate of other boaters and the manatees. Some, like us,
take their dogs along. Peaches loves it, having gotten her sea
legs quite some time ago.
Some canines head to the wind, paws on the steering
wheel, barking as we pass. Peaches barks back as she watches the
sea gulls, osprey and pelicans along the way. She loves helping
when we stop to fish. Her favorite spots, however, are around
the Yardarm and Crump's on the way back down the River with
their tempting smells of food.
On this particular day, back in February, the azaleas
were already in bloom along the river's edge, in brilliant
colors of pink and white. The tendency to nod off from time to
time until a bird suddenly dives for a fish or another boater
starts goes by to awaken you, is frequent. Sometimes, on the
private docks spotted along its banks, pelicans gather in groups
as if having a meeting. People were swimming while others just
laid back on the boats letting their legs and feet dangle in the
cool, clear water.
I listen to the radio while we are boating. Citrus 95
comes in loud and clear in some spots. Reading is another
relaxing activity if fishing is scanty or tiresome. I wish that
the day would never end but end it must. On the way back down
the river toward the canal, we saw a manatee surface for just a
moment as if saying, "Hello". Then a dolphin suddenly appeared
out of nowhere and swam and played with us for a short time.
Finally, with reluctance, we were back at the boat
slip to call it a day. But soon, real soon, another gorgeous day
will call us back for another cruise. Florida living is hard to
take.
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