Date Night in Crystal River

We Dreamers actually stepped out for a date night! Generally by nightfall one or the other of us...or both of us...are simply not inclined to climb in the car and leave. We love our quiet little Hacienda, so kicking back, having a simple dinner, watching TV, whatever, is fine with us. 

The Mister saw a notice for "Crystal River Nights" concert series in one of the many flyers and local ad magazines that fill our mailbox.

We glammed up, well, you know, we took showers and put on clean clothes, and drove the 6 miles into town. We had reservations for dinner later in the evening so we could legally park behind the restaurant. We arrived before a few of the shops closed, and enjoyed looking at buying a few goodies. Our new/old town has a few cute shops, a few touristy T-shirt shops and several kayak, boat, SUP, scalloping, swim with the manatees tour companies. Oh, and eating establishments.

Tucked between a few shops we found a garden shop. The colorful flowers drew us in. The Mister noticed a stag horn fern and began talking with Nancy, the proprietor, explaining how we lost one of our large stag horns this winter. She marched outside and came in with one, trimmed some of the damaged fronds from its struggles with the weather and handed it to him as a present. I was touched. 

So touched, that I had to buy its cousin as a Father's Day gift for the Mister. I picked out an Elephant Ear Stag Horn. The fronds of this variety are large, rounded and fuzzy. Mr. A-I-nstein  tells me: 

The Elephant Ear Staghorn Fern (Platycerium elephantotis) is a rare, central African species. Unlike traditional staghorns, its large, deeply veined fronds do not fork or "antler," but rather resemble the broad ears of an elephant. It thrives in heat, shade, and high humidity. 

The street in front of 'town square' was blocked off for the concert. Folks began arriving well before the start of the first band. Local establishments brought out tables and sold plenty of nibbles and spirits to those waiting. Food trucks were also on hand. 

It was a very warm day (93°) and clouds were bubbling up all around. Distant thunder punctuated the music. There are many benches and walls that are perfect places to sit and enjoy the music.

Long before the music began folks were planting their folding chairs to save their spaces in front of the bandstand. 

Both bands played music from 'our' era. Jojo and Jay are local to the 'Nature Coast'. From our vantage point, a comfy Adirondack bench in front of one of the businesses across the street, one could almost imagine that Freddie Mercury* was back! The lead singer had a great voice and the music was dandy.

We left about 30 minutes before the end of play.  Good call! We arrived home and within 5 minutes the rain began to fall at our house, and probably hit town about 15 minutes later. Our rainy season may have indeed begun! We received over 2" of rain, and it looks like we are slated for more afternoon thorms this week. Summer is here! 

 * If you are a fan of Queen and have not seen it, check out "Bohemian Rhapsody, available on Netflix and several other streaming services.