We’ve been hanging out over here in the Forgotten Coast, Nature Coast, whatever coast they call it and have forgotten that Florida is a populated state! Today we experienced some population. There is a planned retirement village south of Ocala called The Villages. There are 12 different quilt guilds within The Villages with over 650 members total. The Guilds sponsored a “Quilting Marketplace” today at the Village conference center.
Getting there we experienced a lot of this:
My, my. Even Wal Mart and McDonald’s have to conform to the rules with the signs.
No looming golden arches for this town! I’ve never seen so many golf carts in one place, ever, not even in Mission, Texas!! There must be many golf courses plus I think golf carts are the standard mode of transportation around there.
The “Quilting Marketplace” was very well done, lots of wonderful vendors but like Paulette and her buddies just experienced at the huge Road to California quilt show, there were lines to get in and the vendor booths were packed. It was not a pleasant shopping experience but I did manage to pick up another wool kit for hand stitching as we go down the road. Michael and Emmi entertained themselves while I shopped and then we got the h**l out of The Villages.
Treated ourselves to a Blizzard at the Dairy Queen in Crystal River. We arrived home about 3pm and I went to bed—I had developed a “charlie horse”, muscle spasm, something very painful in my right leg and hip. I slept for over an hour so I must have needed that—I don’t often take naps and felt much better.
A couple walks and ball games with the pooch then I made dinner. I’ve become a convection oven convert—my roasted potatoes/garlic/onions/red peppers were delicious. Served with grilled pork chops and coleslaw.
New rigs are arriving in our park daily—tonight another Country Coach pulled in and parked a couple spots from us.
A different kind of day, think we will go back to nature tomorrow!
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I'm very interested on your take of Florida. Don't care for too many people though.
ReplyDeleteI like the part about 'going back to nature' best:))
ReplyDeleteSounds like "The Village" would not be my kinda place either. Too uppity and away from our roots. Enjoy your walk in nature tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteCrystal River is where I got my Scuba diving gertification,,,, You can rent a boat at one of the dive shops and go out to the springs where all the divers go down into a hole with a small cave. I took my youngest son down there one time and taught him how to dive to the bottom of the Manatee spring... Ya otta try it, Its fun...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice little town.
ReplyDeleteQuilters in Florida? Who knew?
We found the "villages" a very interesting place. We even looked at a home that was having a open house. I am not sure I would want to live there, but I can see the appeal for a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were just through there on the 17th, heading down Hwy 27 towards WDW. We couldn't get over the golf carts everywhere, even the cute golf cart bridge over 27. Look pretty fancy to us also, we were glad to get to Fort Wilderness, that's more our style. Sounds like a lot of quilters in the area though. Have a great winter, really enjoying your day trips.
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