Something I haven't done in awhile--Posting More Volty Pictures…

[12voltyV2.0]

It has been a very long time since I have posted some of my famed "Volty Pictures." For those who haven't been here long---I love to take photos of the places I wander in this world and no---they have nothing do with sex--at least in any direct fashion other than I would hope that the most of the places I take photos of might be good places to have sex---but then again--there are probably not too many places that would be bad to have sex.

This first set was taken just last a week ago this past Sunday when I took a little late afternoon trip to Cedar Key, Florida----it's not too far from me and I decided it was "road trip time," so I got in the car and rode.

Cedar Key used to be the home of a fictional detective character named Travis McGee in series of books by the late author, John McDonald. Cedar Key at one time was a pretty popular tourist destination, but time, the economy and a series of tropical storms and hurricanes over the past decade or so have left the place pretty well battered and like a lot of places anymore, mere shadows of their former heydays.

It still is a nice place to pay a visit, whether for a few hours like I did or to spend a night----so here is the first set of "Volty Pictures" all taken in recent weeks in varying parts of Central Florida---a part of Florida that is growing and changing----but it still retains a great deal of what some call "Old Florida" even though it's changing fast and much of "Old Florida" is being lost.

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[12voltyV2.0]

This next set of photos is from an area not far from Gainesville, Florida which is home to the University of Florida and was also the home of Tom Petty and he started his musical career there, forming the first version of what would become his famed back up band--The Heartbreakers.

The first few pictures are of the exterior of The Yearling Restaurant---located at Cross Creek, the home of the late author, Marjorie Kennan Rawlings who wrote the books "Cross Creek" and "The Yearling"---from which they made the famous film starring a young Gregory Peck, playing the father of a young boy who wanted and took in a young deer---which sadly became a problem for the family. Her homestead is just "down the way, a bit" from the restaurant and her place is a very popular Florida state park and historic site.


The food at The Yearling is what the owners call "Florida Cracker Cuisine" and that is made up of things like catfish, frog legs, gator, venison, fried green tomatoes and other such food---most of which is naturally served fried--but for those who try to eat more healthy--you can get most things also broiled or cajun style blackened. Whatever you do get there is good tasting food. The inside of the place is nicer than the outside, even though it is "rustic" in nature. The place is also like a museum of "Florida Cracker History." To make the scene even more authentic---it's only open on Thursdays-Sundays for lunch and "supper" and they always have some cool old black man, growling out some Mississippi delta style blues. If you are ever in Central Florida and want a taste of "Old Florida eatin''"--be sure to stop in--both the restaurant and Micanopy are located on local roads that run off US RT 441. The restaurant is also not far off of US RT 301 if you are coming from that road. Even though you feel like you have gone back in time to visit both places---you are only like ten minutes or so from the heart of Gainesville, which itself is a pretty university town.


The next set of photos is of the tiny little burg called Micanopy. I just love the "town" which today has some very neat antique, old book and other boutique stores. Most of the best antique stores in the town sell stuff relating to Florida's past and the town also has a claim to fame as being where they shot the 1990's film "Doc Hollywood" which starred Michael J. Fox. It is one of my favorite films, but sadly---it was while doing that film that Fox learned he had Parkinson's Disease.

Here is something about SEX--in one of the opening scenes as Michael J. Fox's character is supposed to be driving through the town on his way to become a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles in his classic Porsche convertible---he goes off the road and when he gathers his wits--a young and hot at the time actress, Julie Warner's character is shown in "all her glory" coming out of a pond after having taken a skinny dip and man--they showed everything of her and man---was she a hottie!!!! Whew!!!!!!

Of course, the car has to be fixed and he remains in the town for a time, eventually falling in love with the Julie Warner character.

This film was also one of the first films that Woody Harrelson played in as he wrapped up doing "Cheers."

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[12voltyV2.0]

This final set of Central Florida photos took place just a few hours before I am posting them---they were taken at one of two St. Patrick's Day parades held in my new "hometown" of The Villages, Florida.

The first one was held last friday, and this one was supposed to take place yesterday (Monday the 17th) but we were forecast for some terrible weather and we had it---it rained the proverbial "cats and dogs" since the very early hours of Monday and kept that up till late in the afternoon, so wisely they took the forecasts to heart and rescheduled both the parade and festivities on the town square called Spanish Springs, which was built to resemble a Spanish mission town.

These are just a few of many crowd shots I took.

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I did a few repeat posts on here---but no big deal, right?? LOL Hope you all enjoyed this little visit to parts of Central Florida…..

[12voltyV2.0]

I went back and read what I said about the author John McDonald. I really screwed that one up and by the time I realized that--it was too late to do an edit. For a time John McDonald settled in Cedar Key and even though most of the stories of his famous character, Travis McGee, were set in places down around South Florida such as Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and The Keys----a few of the stories took place in Cedar Key and Jimmy Buffett opened one of his bigger songs, "Incommunicado" with the line: "Travis McGee is still in Cedar Key, that's what old John McDonald says…."

Just wanted to get it right…..

I have wanted to pay a visit to Cedar Key for at least 20 years, because thanks to Jimmy Buffett talking about Travis McGee and John McDonald in that song---I read some of the Travis McGee books including at least one set in and around Cedar Key----but in past years when I first wanted to do that--I lived in various places in Florida myself, ranging from Key West, to Miami, to Melbourne and it always seemed to far to go and I never felt I had the time--now that I only live like an hour and half from the place and had some wanderlust---I felt it was high time to make the trip…..don't know if I will go back or not---but at least I scratched that one off the list!!! LOL

[goldenfinger]

Nice shots as always.

[cyclone6]

Really nice pics..love your commentary.

[Realist]

Volty, you missed your calling!

You write beautifully and the photos bring back some good memories of my home state, too!

If you write a novel, I will buy it....you'd give McDonald a run for the money!

[travelmanNW]

great photos looks like some great places to visit on my next rode trip thanks for sharing

[Trapshooter65]

Thanks for the pics. I read the Traves McGee books because I heard Buffet sing about them too.

[RockGardener]

I've actually been to some of those places!!