NEW: Crystal River Getaway (Day 1)

THIS GETAWAY IS FULL. WE NO LONGER ACCEPT SIGN UPS.
WE NOW HAVE 2 BOATS WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTURE TIMES ON DAY 1. THE EVENT DESCRIPTION & SCHEDULES HAVE CHANGED ACCORDINGLY. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH BOAT YOU ARE ON (SEE BELOW)!!
ONE SEAT ON THE SECOND BOAT IS STILL OPEN. A FEW PEOPLE HAVEN'T RESPONDED, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!
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PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE EVENT DESCRIPTION BEFORE YOU SIGN UP! We haven't done this particular 2 day (1 night) getaway before, all events are new! Please be a little adventurous, occassional hiccups might occur but that's part of the fun experience and they usually make good memories.

The whole getaway is a social event and involves a stay in Crystal River.
The area is super popular during high season, it is therefore essential that you book your accommodation as soon as possible!

You can book and/or share a house on Airbnb or VrBo and stay at hotels like Paddle Trail Waterfront Lodge, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn etc. The Plantation Resort is still recovering from the hurricanes and has limited functionality.
Event days are Tuesday, January 19th to 20th, 2027.

If you do not want to stay overnight or just want to join
us for one day, you can sign up for each of the two days individually.
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Day 1: BIKE GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD TRAIL & BOAT TOUR

07:40 AM: Lets meet at the parking lot of the 1885 Brooksville Train Depot (70 Russell St., Brooksville, FL 34601). Please make sure that we all can leave on time and allow for traffic along the way.

07:45 AM: Bike the Good Neighborhood Trail (20.2 miles r/t)

The paved trail (good for all bikes) follows a former narrow gauge railroad corridor formerly owned by the Southern Railroad and connects to the Withlacoochee State Trail. Once we arrive at the connector, we will take a break and return the same way.

10:30 AM: We will drive about 45 minutes to Crystal River

11:15 AM: Lunch at Cracker's Bar, Grill & Tiki (ENTIRE GROUP)
(502 Northwest 6th St, Crystal River, FL 34428)
The casual outdoor restaurant is located at the beautiful Kings Bay. Food options include fresh seafood, meat and salads.

***

SCHEDULE FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON THE FIRST BOAT:
(Marie Lange, Steve H., Patricia & Steve Cefalo, Rita H., Debra T., Carol, Lynn J., JoAnn & Glenn Sheppard, David H., Paul & Lois Rumble, Keith, Margaret, Debra Ash, Vanessa & Fernando, Terri, Pam F., Janet, Don, Petra & Chris)

12:30 PM: Drive about 10 minutes to the Crystal River Preserve State Park at 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
(no entrance fee)

01:00 PM: Private 1.5 Hour Boat Tour on the Crystal River
(max. 24 passengers, boat tour is prepaid)
If you can't make it for any reason, we will help you find someone who might be interested in purchasing your ticket. No guarantee though.

Manatees utilize the main channel of the Crystal River as their main path of travel from the Gulf of Mexico to the freshwater springs of Kings Bay. We should see plenty during our boat tour.

Our onboard naturalist will make learning fun while discussing the park's myriad historic cultural resources as well as how the rare, spring-fed estuary defines the Crystal River Preserve State Park and supports the abundant wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico.

02:45 PM: Drive about 15 minutes to the parking lot at 125 NE 5th St in Crystal River. There is more parking right next to it if it is full.

03:00 PM: Explore Historic Downtown in Crystal River on foot. We will stroll along several restaurants, boutiques as well as historic buildings and can go for a delicious coffee at Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters if we want to.

***

SCHEDULE FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON THE SECOND BOAT:
(Kitty & Ron, Eva Schaub, Lori, Eric & Valerie, Bev & Bob Westmacott, Judy & Tom Rabette, Dave & Liz Haynie, Russ, Jeanné & Daniel, Roxanna, Debbie Hursh, Kathy Jones, Dawn, Deborah Casey, Dan, Louise, Holly)

12:45 PM: Drive about 15 minutes to the parking lot at 125 NE 5th St in Crystal River. There is more parking right next to it if it is full.

01:00 PM: Explore Historic Downtown in Crystal River on foot. We will stroll along several restaurants, boutiques as well as historic buildings and can go for a delicious coffee at Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters if we want to.

02:30 PM: Drive about 10 minutes to the Crystal River Preserve State Park at 3266 N Sailboat Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
(no entrance fee)

03:00 PM: Private 1.5 Hour Boat Tour on the Crystal River
(max. 24 passengers, boat tour is prepaid)
If you can't make it for any reason, we will help you find someone who might be interested in purchasing your ticket. No guarantee though.

Manatees utilize the main channel of the Crystal River as their main path of travel from the Gulf of Mexico to the freshwater springs of Kings Bay. We should see plenty during our boat tour.

Our onboard naturalist will make learning fun while discussing the park's myriad historic cultural resources as well as how the rare, spring-fed estuary defines the Crystal River Preserve State Park and supports the abundant wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico.

***

REMAINING SCHEDULE FOR THE ENTIRE GROUP:

04:45 PM: Check in at your accommodation

06:30 PM: Dinner
As it is high season, it will be impossible to make dinner reservations for the whole group. There are plenty of options available in town, ranging from BubbaQue's BBQ to John's Tavern and Vintage on 5th. We will likely have to split up into smaller groups.

Day 2 will start after breakfast at 08:30 AM with a short 15 minute
drive to Felburn Park.

As always, if you have any questions or need directions, you can contact us at (917)774-0941.

PS: THE VERY FEW WHO WON'T BE ABLE TO BE ON ONE OF THE TWO BOATS CAN ALTERNATIVELY EXPLORE THREE SISTERS SPRINGS, KINGS BAY OR THE CRYSTAL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND MEET US BACK AT 06:30 PM FOR DINNER.