Citrus County: Gateway to Florida’s Nature Coast .

Thinking about a move the Citrus County Florida? Within you will find many reasons why Citrus County is “The place to be”.

Citrus County – The Place to Be

Citrus County is located in the heart of Florida, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Withlacoochee River on the east. Situated 90 miles northwest of Orlando and 75 miles north of Tampa and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Citrus County provides a wonderful haven for those in search of a peaceful getaway or for those searching for adventure in Florida’s Nature Coast.

Citrus County is famous for being home to the endangered West Indian Manatee. Our area has seven rivers, some of which are spring-fed, which ultimately drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Cool spring water provides a seemingly endless supply of fresh water from the Crystal River, Homosassa River, Chassahowitzka River, and their tributaries. There are literally hundreds of fresh water springs which maintain a year-round fresh water temperature of 72 degrees.  The 30 largest springs along, pump 600 million gallons of water daily. Attracted to these warm waters, the West Indian Manatees make their home here in winter.

Citrus County is widely considered as one of the Fishing Capitols of the world. (Insert link).  Aptly named “The Nature Coast,” this area of Florida is teeming with flora and fauna. The Nature Coast has that special mixture of environmental ingredients which form the ideal foundations for an abundance of wildlife. The crystal clear waters offer speckled trout, redfish, Spanish mackerel, snook, cobia, tarpon and a multitude of other species.

Trout Caught in the Homosassa River

We all enjoy a fun day fishing and there is probably nothing as exciting as catching a tarpon on light tackle.  Tarpon is king during the months of May and June as fly anglers from all over the world come with hopes of being crowned the new world record holder. The current international fly tackle records for tarpon for the 12 Lb, 16 lb and 20 lb class tippet were all caught off the Homosassa River .

Contributing to the high quality of life experienced by residents of Citrus County is a top rated school system.  You can visit the school system website here.

However, great schools are not enough. You also need good neighborhoods, and we have plenty. Along the western side of the county, nestled in the midst of live oaks, high ground coastal hammock and pine forest you will find the communities of Crystal River, Homosassa, Homosassa Springs, Chassahowtizka and Sugar Mill Woods.

The central ridge of our county is the sand hill region and you will find abundance long leaf pine and turkey oak here. The communities of Pine Ridge, Black Diamond Ranch, Citrus Hills, Terra Vista and Citrus Springs. You will find many beautiful Golf Courses in this area.  With more than a dozen public or semi-public golf courses, and private golf courses, there are many places for beginners and for the most advanced golfers. From the center of the county you will find Great Golf in every direction.

Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes

Along the eastern side of the county are the 13 mile Tsala Apopka chain of lakes and the Withlacoochee River  which have some of the very best largemouth bass fishing you’ll find anywhere. Here nestled in the hardwood and cypress forests along the river and lakes and the upland pine forest, you will find the communities of Hernando, Inverness  and Floral City. The Withlacoochee State Trail  offers a 46-mile section of railroad track that has been paved for use by visitors on bicycles or foot. The even topography and natural surroundings make it particularly well-liked among cyclists.

Citrus County is a magnet for the outdoors man. More than one-third of the 400,000 plus acres in Citrus County  are publicly owned and managed by the various federal, state, county or municipal government agencies, and nearly all of the land is vacant and used as parks or recreation area. An extensive park system provides a large variety of activities for all ages. There are literally more than 50 local and state parks in this area of Florida’s Nature Coast with everything from fresh and saltwater fishing, hiking, biking on the Rails to Trails, horseback riding in the Withlacoochee State Forest and bird watching to perhaps to catch a glimpse of any multitude of the species who also call Citrus County home.

A growing business community is the direct result of the business climate as well as the quality of life available, which makes Citrus County one of the most desirable business community areas in Florida.

Our Sheriff’s department has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. To assist relocating or starting a new business there are many partnerships available to help including the Economic Development Council  , Workforce Connection , SCORE of Citrus , College of Central Florida , and the Small Business Development Center. Major employers are the Construction and Real Estate industries, School Board, Citrus Memorial and Severn Rivers Hospitals, a large medical community, Progress Energy complex and a large service industry sector.

Dining in Citrus County

And let’s talk about dining in Citrus County! Dress up for a fine dinner at one of our many exquisite establishments or just throw on a pair of shorts and tee shirt and hang out at one of the waterfront Bar and Grills. We have it all. From fresh seafood to steaks, you name it, there’s a multitude of local restaurants spread across the county serving food with flair.

Annual traditions included an array of community events such as the Homosassa Springs Seafood Festival, Stone Crab Jam, Manatee Festival, Uncle Sam Scallop,  The Great American Cooter Fest, Festival of the Arts, and the Floral City Strawberry Festival. These signature events allow thousands of visitors each year to catch a glimpse into the real Florida and the culture of Citrus County.

For those of you who have time on your hands and want to give something back there are many areas for volunteerism. The Nature Coast Volunteer Center recruits volunteers on behalf of over 100 organizations throughout Citrus County. Volunteers are “matched” with sites based on their interests and skills. And finally, if I can interest you in a civic group check out the six Citrus Rotary Clubs here.

I have dealt with with a very small part of what Citrus County has to offer.  I invite you to visit Citrus County and see for yourself.

Sincerely,

Edward Russell Johnston

Hospice of Citrus County and Hospice of the Nature Coast are non-profit organizations that provides end-of-life services to terminally ill people and their families in twelve counties of North Central Florida. Click here to view a map of their locations and service areas.

They pay special attention to each individual persons needs. They offer a variety of in home or out of home programs that are mostly covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or Private Insurance Companies. Donations and charitable gifts cover what the insurances exclude.

Hospice of Citrus County has a “Hospice House”. The House is a 16 bed facility located on 5 acres in Lecanto, Fl offering inpatient hospice care in an acute care setting. The house offers private rooms for the patient and their families to spend some quality time together. There is a family room to relax, play games, watch tv or surf the internet. The House Living Room offers a warm fireplace giving it the cozy home feeling.

There is  also a hospice care unit at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, Fl. This six bed unit of the hospital is called the “Judith A. Nee” unit. This center offers a quiet, home-like atmosphere in which patients will receive individualized attention by the Hospice Team.

Hospice of Homosassa, Florida

Herry’s Kids Pediatric Services provide specialized services to children and teens that are terminally ill. They also offer grief support and therapeutic camps to the children who have experienced a loss.

Hospice of Citrus County and Hospice of the Nature Coast depends on the support of individuals and volunteers to make this all possible.  They own and operates seven different Thrift and Gift Shoppes throughout West and North Central Florida. They offer variety of items from used furniture to books. Homosassa has a new “Herry’s Café” for you to enjoy daily specials and a variety of treats.  All the proceeds from the Shoppes and Café benefit the patients and families of Hospice of Citrus County and of the Nature Coast.

To find our more information click here to go to their website.

*Photos courtesy of Hospice

Hospice House -Lecanto, Florida

Hello,my name is Janet. I look forward to working with you.

Hello Everyone! My name is Janet and together with Edward Johnston and our staff at Edward Russell Johnston,Inc., we are your number one source for all your building needs! I have been working with Edward Russell Johnston, Inc. for more than twenty years.

When you call Edward Russell Johnston, there is a very good chance you will talk with me first. I do my best to make sure everything involved in the building process goes as smoothly as possible. Our customers are very important to us. Not only do we want to help you build the building of your dreams today, but we still want to know you tomorrow and every day after that, “We take pride in our work”.

We pay attention to all the details that make each building its own. From commercial shopping centers to beautiful waterfront custom homes, we have the experience to make your dreams a reality. We take the stress out of building. With Edward Johnston’s vast knowledge that comes from 35 years of experience and our great customer service skill, we make a great team!

Our bussiness is registered with the State of Florida as Edward Russell Johnston, Inc. a Certified Class “A” General Contractor  #CGC062630.

Our clients may like to know that we incorporated our business more than thirty years ago and we have operated Edward Russell Johnston, Inc. from the same location at 531 North Citrus Avenue Crystal River Florida for the past nineteen years.

We are always by the phone ready to help! From start to finish we will be there with you every step of the way.  Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself and we look forward to working with you!   Call us at 352-795-2200 or 800-771-2202

Three Sisters Springs is a beautiful natural manatee sanctuary here in Crystal River, Florida. Three Sisters Springs is a complex of three spring areas. These springs help feed Kings Bay which is the headwaters of Crystal River.  These waters maintain a temperature of seventy degrees year round making this a winter herding place for the endangered Florida Manatee. The springs are a protected, natural wildlife refuge that is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The park is open to the public. Open houses are offered, free of charge, giving visitors a great opportunity to see the pristine beauty of the springs and the fascinating manatees. Volunteers are eagerly waiting to walk guests down the boardwalk that showcase the springs and encounter the manatees. Throughout the walk you will notice bubbles coming up from the waters and then a nose peeking through. This is the manatees coming to the surface for a breath of air.

During the winter months the manatees congregate at the springs to enjoy the warm waters. It is crucial for the survival of the manatees to stay in waters with a temperature higher than sixty eight degrees. With the crystal clear, warm spring waters and the rich vegetation around the springs it is an ideal location for the manatees to breed and give birth.

If just seeing the manatees from land is not fulfilling enough for you, you may choose to get a closer look by taking a swim into the springs. Three Sisters Springs offers you the opportunity to actually swim with the manatees. At the mouth of the springs there are three concrete posts that keep out all traffic except for kayaks, canoes or swimmers. Many local shops offer diving equipment, rental canoes and kayaks for your manatee viewing needs. The giant size of the manatees can be very intimidating to a person that is unaware of their gentle ways. The manatees are known as gentle giants. They are virtually harmless. They just spend their days swimming though the waters eating vegetation.

Click here to see the springs area on a map!

This  is a great place for families to go. The way is generally flat, offering an easy ride for all skill levels of bike riders. The kids can ride their bikes down the way without the worry of cars endangering them. Along the path you will see various places to take a rest. These places would be a great spot for a picnic lunch. You may be lucky enough to see some of Florida’s wildlife during your trip. There are informative signs along the trail to tell you about the native animals and plants that you may encounter.

They are open year round from sunrise to sunset. There is no fee to use the Withlacoochee State Trail. The  Citizen Support Organization, Rails to Trails of the Withlacoochee, has created a detailed guide. You may purchase a copy of this guide book by going to the organizations website. Click here to visit their site.

You can download a brochure here: Withlahoochie State Trail Brochure

There are many beautiful rivers in Florida, but none give me the joy of the Homosassa. Cool spring water provides a seemingly endless supply of fresh water from the Crystal, Homosassa, Chassahowitzka river, and their tributaries. As those rivers snake their way toward to Gulf of Mexico the water begins to turn brackish. Within a few miles, the subtropical landscape gives way to meadows of saw grass. The saw grass gradually transforms to black needle grass and then to mangrove islands tight with brush. Beyond is the shallow beginning of the Gulf of Mexico where limestone bedrock reaches for the surfaces in the form of invisible obstacles. All that talk about the treacherous waters here is no joke. For the unwary, the gulf waters take no prisoners.

The coastal marsh that surround Homosassa are natures high production factories in terms of fertility. The coastal marshes gain their extraordinary productivity from the abundance of nutrients delivered by the abundant fresh water rivers and the tide, which disperses the nutrients over the broad shallow flats. Where there is food there are fish.

After a brief run out to the fishing grounds the engine is quieted. The 12 weight fly rod coupled with a tarpon reel is slowly removed from under the gunnel. The fly line lays coiled upon the deck ready for action. The search begins. Arms are flexed and the push pole bends, silently propelling the skiff in search of the elusive tarpon.

Three brown pelicans sweep low along side our skiff. They beat three long stokes upwards in unison. Once. Twice. Now gone. Left behind is the low sound of the gentle clear warm water quietly lapping against the hull. Eyes strain in the first light for something which to focus upon. A tarpon breaks the surface and disappears into concentric rings. Another fish rolls further out. You can see the passing pod’s silhouette through the translucent water.

The fly begins its graceful journey as the line unrolls in tight loops along a perfect plane then shoots briskly through the guides. The fly sinks deep. A short hard tug on the fly line and the rods bends. The feeling is unmistakable. A moment later the water erupts in an explosion. The air is full of fish.The rod bends deeply with a great heaviness on the end. The line shears through the water and sounds like a ripping bed sheet. The fly reel spins wildly. A tarpon is on.

After three majestic jumps the fish sounds with surging energy and charges off like a locomotive. Fly line is surrendered and retaken. The tarpon breaks the surface for a gulp of air and then submerges with liquid fury. The rod bends and recovers. The tarpon twist and turns as she tries to get away from the mysterious power holding her.

The battle is over in twenty minutes. The magnificent fish is eased to the side of the boat to be admired. The silver sides of the tarpon seem to drain back into the Gulf. Her fins seem almost transparent. That huge eye stares in wonderment. After pausing for a brief moment she is gone to be reclaimed by the gulf. Only her memory remains.

Clearly this is the best time of the year to be here. Fish are everywhere and the finest tarpon fishing in the United States is here in my own backyard.

The brightness of noon burns a whole in the sky. The water is as clear and flat as a windowpane and shimmers in the sun.. You can see right to the bottom and watch the turtle grass sway in the current. Seagulls lift in the easy breeze and call to one another. The man-a war birds are riding the thermals skyward. Inland the cumulus clouds are piling up. Sounds of distant thunder bolts echo in the background. Dramatic changes of light and wind form the ever changing sky and sea.

Crystal River celebrates it’s 25^th Annual Manatee Festival.  

January 21 & 22, 2012 downtown Crystal River, Florida will be holding it’s annual Florida Manatee Festival. This is an event the whole family can enjoy. There will be a fine art show with over 50 exhibitors for the artsy people in your life. There will be 150 vendors on site for you to brose through. The shoppers will really enjoy that!  You are bound to find something you like. There will be a wide variety of food for you to taste!  There will be live entertainment including the Jimmy Buffet sound-alike contest! Do you sound like Jimmy Buffett? Let the Manatee Festival visitor be the judge! There will be boat tours to take visitors out on the water to explore the honorees, the gentle giants, the manatees. If you are having trouble getting the coach potatoes going, well there will be entertainment there for them too! A beer and wine garden will host a live band as well as a big screen television so you won’t have to worry about missing that game! The kids will also love coming out to see this huge event! They can enjoy the creative playground and join in on the great games and activities. For your adventurous children there will be a rock climbing wall, a bounce house and pony rides! What more could you ask for! Local students have been working hard on manatee posters that will be displayed in the Manatee Education area. In this area you can learn all about the manatee and how we are working hard to keep them safe.

With all said, if you do not attend this huge event you very well WILL be missing out. So hope to see you January 21 & 22, 2012 at the 25^th Annual Manatee Festival in downtown Crystal River, Florida!

Find out more information on the Manatee Festival by visiting the City of Crystal Rivers website….click here.

Have you had the chance to meet a Manatee yet? If not, now is the time! Due to their large size, average about 9 to 10 feet long and 1,000 lbs, they may be intimidating to some at first, but as you will soon discover there is nothing scary about these fascinating animals. These endangered West Indian Manatees are nothing but gentle giants. They are slow movers. Most of their time is spent eating vegetation, resting and traveling. The waters of Crystal River and Homosassa house an abundant number of manatees.   The waters of the Crystal River and Homosassa are on the average of 72 degrees year round due to the surrounding springs.  The warm water is what attracts the manatees to these areas. During the winter months it is crucial for these manatees to stay in waters that maintain a temperature higher than 68 degrees for their survival.  Certain areas of Kings Bay are designated Manatee Sanctuary areas.  These sanctuaries provide places for manatees to rest and feed undisturbed in the warmth of the springs. It is not uncommon to see as many as 400 manatees in a single day during the winter months!

Crystal River and Homosassa provide you access for the opportunity to meet these gentle animals up close. You may choice to swim with the manatees. Snorkeling though the springs like “Three Sisters Springs of Kings Bay” is a great way to observe them. There are many local tour companies that will assist you with these excursions. Another great way to see the animals up close without having to get into the water with them is to take a trip over to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. They have an underwater observatory, which they call the “fish bowl” for viewing the manatees without getting wet! At different times throughout the day the staff of the wildlife park will put on a manatee show which includes feeding the manatees.

Come visit Crystal River, Florida for your chance to meet a manatee!