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Sunday, January 8, 2017

Touring the Showcase of Citrus Property on a "Monster Truck"






It's time for our ride 
through the property on










That's some truck!

It's a converted
school bus.





I like the Safari inspired paint job.






Our driver, Johnny,
is ready to drive....











We will travel around Showcase of Citrus' 2,500 acres during our hour long ride.

 We drive past Orange Groves.

Eleven varieties of Oranges, Grapefruits and Lemons are grown here.





Eric relaxes as we listen
to Johnny tell us about 
animals we'll see during
our ride.









Honey Bee Boxes house
the Bees' hives.

Honey Bees pollinate the
Citrus Trees & other plants
on this 2,500 acre farm.





Their Honey is bottled and sold at the Country Store.






Free-Range Cows 
wander onto the trails.






Johnny drives into the largest
puddle I've ever seen on a
off-road trail.




The bus has lots
of clearance.





Water sloshes from under
the bus.





Three Sandhill Cranes walk
across an open field.





Barcode, the Zebra










Adult Water Buffalo &
two Calves.

It looks like the white
birds are picking bugs
off their hides.





The light tan one is the youngest Calf.  It is still nursing.





Big Mama comes toward us.

She's looking for an Orange,
or two.




The oldest Calf
LOVES Oranges.




Charlie, the Longhorn Steer
 & Clyde, the Ankole-Watusi
 Steer, walk up to the fence to
  get their share of Oranges.









Showcase of Citrus has

Berry Picking is very
popular in the spring.

Johnny returned to the "Truck Stop."  We thanked him for the ride.  It was great!

Eric & I Visit Showcase of Citrus in Clermont, Florida

Occasionally, fun tourist experiences are "just down the road" from where Eric and I are camping.  




Showcase of Citrus is just a few miles south of Lake Louisa State Campground.

We start taking pictures at the edge of the parking lot.





Eric claims he caught
this "Giant Shark."






Save me!









Eric & me on the dock







On to the store...



Buy Citrus at the County Store

OR

Pick Your Own in
the Groves




Sample an Orange before
choosing what you/ll
bring home.







Don't forget Lemons!




Mom's Kitchen:
Salsas
Jams
Dressings
 



Amazing Soaps...

Some look like sugar
topped cupcakes.











An eclectic arrangement 
of decorations, large 
& small









Local Honey is displayed
in an early 20th century
kitchen cabinet.





Wines...

Have a glass here or
get a Smoothie.






Take a bottle or two home with you.





Shhh....

Kitty is sleeping.








Alligator heads are
everywhere....




The Wine Room 


















Showcase of Citrus
can help you stock
your wine cellar.











Hats & Tee Shirts





There's plenty of room
for kids to play behind
the store.





Hula Hoops wait to orbit
necks, wrists, waists,
ankles.











Gather at the picnic table for snacks or lounge around with your beverage.






Visitors cross a
bridge to...












... the Barn Yard.








Chickens, a Calf and Donkey have lots of space to roam.







This is a BIG Turkey!







The Chickens are Free-Range.






They have roam the 
closest Orange Grove.









The Rooster crows....







It's time to go tour the rest of Showcase of Citrus' property.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Lunch @The Brew Hub in Lakeland, Florida






Brew Hub is a Partnership
Brewery.










Partner Brewersmasters have
complete control over the
brewing process of their
craft beers.






Bottling and distribution take place here, allowing Partner Brewers to distribute their products nationally and internationally.  Brew Hub provides assistance with sales, marketing, logistics, legal issues and government regulations.






"What's On Tap" is
listed on the website
& Brew Hub's App.





Beer Hub's Draft Beer







Eric selects the beers we will sample.  



BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse's
Harvest Hefeweizen

Brew Hub Craft Collection:
Diver Down

Duclaw's Neon Gypsy

Nine Ladies - It ran out... Sigh.






Brew Hub Craft Collection:
Umatilla Coffee Barleywine
& Nitro Fudged Up Stout

Caribbean Rum - It's gone!

JDubs Brewing's Bell Cow




Eric's favorite beer is the Nine Ladies....  Let's hope it's brought back.  My favorite is the Nitro Fudged Up Stout.  






Meatballs & More provides
Brew Hub with a
diverse menu.






Eric got the Cuban Sandwich
with Pasta Salad.











Beef Sandwich on an 
Italian Roll, Au Jus
with a Pasta Salad






Sampling beers is always fun.  The food was fresh and delicious.  

Exploring a Circle B Bar Reserve Nature Trail with Chris & Jo- Ann in Lakeland, Florida





Eric & I join Chris & Jo-Ann
for a nature walk at Bar B
Circle Reserve in Lakeland.















The trail starts in an open
field partially shaded by
with Spanish Moss.






We soon find ourselves on an elevated trail with open water on our left.






A Great Blue Heron looks
out across the water.







I took a LOT of beautiful pictures today.  I'll share a few...  Really, more than a few.






An Anhinga perches on a
branch & spreads its
wings to dry.






Ooohh.......  A very large
Alligator is just down the
embankment from us.





A Great Egret wades beneath
wafting Spanish Moss.












The right side of the trail
looks swampy & primordial.












Along swam an Alligator....






A close-up of a larger
Alligator cloaked in
Algae (?).






A Snowy Egret shows off its
delicate yellow feet.












floats by....












An Alligator moves slowly
into the tall grass.












The trail takes us back
to the parking lot.






Next... Lunch at the Brew Hub.