Dames and Peace Caves - Unique Florida

As we all know, there are many different day-trips to choose from in our area. Our area offers everything from beaches, springs, hiking, biking and really and natural wonder that you can think of for our state! One unique day-trip that we HIGHLY recommend here in Citrus County would have to be the Dames and Peace Caves which in the Withlacoochee State Forest!

Trail 22 Location and Information

Located just 30 minutes South of the Villages of Citrus Hills gates, this trail-head can be somewhat hard to find if you don’t know exactly where to look. If you’re looking for the correct trail, it’s called Trail 22, off of S. Lecanto Hwy (491).

There are no signs or parking area to let you know you’ve reached your destination, but there is a small peace sign spray painted at the trail-head to indicate you’ve reached it. You’ll usually see a few cars parked on the side of the road as well.

The Dames Caves Trail is an easy 1.2 mile out-and-back trail that brings you right back to the road where your car is parked. Since the trail is only elevated a total of 45 feet, the only climbing you’ll have to do is if you actually want to get in or out of some of the caves. This mild elevation makes for a nice day-hike for any age groups!

Vandal Cave

Two of the most popular caves on this trail are called “Vandal Cave” and “Peace Cave.” Vandal Cave is located if you follow the main trail-head East, and you will stumble across it right in front of you. It may look like a giant hole in the ground at first, as this cave had a roof collapse many ages ago. You are able to look directly down into Vandal Cave and see the bottom!

If you walk around the side of Vandal Cave, you’ll find a smaller cave that grants access into the heart of the beast. After a short climb, you get to experience all the natural beauty of Vandal Cave. At this point, you will also notice why it is called “Vandal Cave” with much of the walls covered in graffiti.

Peace Cave

Peace Cave is located on a sub-trail connected to Trail 22. It’s a short walk from Vandal Cave, and you can make it there in just minutes. You’ll know you’ve reached the cave when you see a giant tree with a peace sign spray painted at the base of the tree. The opening to this cave is more of a squeeze to reach the inside, but it is still very-doable. You’ll also need a flashlight for this one, as there won’t be any light to guide you in this time, like in Vandal Cave!

Once you reach the inside of these underground caves, you’ll instantly feel the temperature drop. If you’re quiet, you can hear the underground waterways passing by. There’s just no place like it.

The 10 Best West Coast Florida Beaches

The proximity to a large number of great Florida gulf coast beaches is one thing that makes living in the Villages of Citrus Hills so attractive.

Here are TEN of the most commonly referenced west coast beaches that you are definitely going to want to check out sooner, rather than later.

1. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, Florida

After being named TripAdvisor’s #1 beach in the country back in 2018, the secret is officially out on one of our all-time favorite beach destinations. With a perfect combination of silky-smooth white sand and a small-town atmosphere, Clearwater should continue to be at the top of just about everyone’s list of favorite beach destinations for years to come.

2. Destin

Known as an ideal destination for families, Destin is one of our favorite options located up in the panhandle along Florida’s Emerald Coast. If renting a condo for a week and kicking back on the beach with just a bit of snorkeling mixed in is your idea of a good time, Destin is a perfect fit.

3. Honeymoon Island

Honeymoon Island, Florida

Located just north of Clearwater Beach, Honeymoon Island features the same stunning white sand beaches in a more remote setting. This option is known for being a place that locals prefer when Clearwater is a bit too busy, and it is also a fantastic place to explore by kayak.

4. Lido Key

Another popular island destination along the Gulf Coast of Florida is Lido Key, which sits just west of Sarasota. This spot has a reputation for ecotourism, deep-sea fishing, and sunset cruises, and it is also home to a first-class beach resort, as well as plenty of exciting street performers.

5. Marco Island

Marco Island, Florida

If we head all the way down to the southern end of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Marco Island is the place that stands out as a must-see destination for beach lovers. This island is located just off of Naples, and it is home to some fabulous beach resorts, as well as the Briggs Nature Center and its half-mile boardwalk.

6. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach might have a reputation as a spring break destination for college students, but it is about as laid back as the rest of the Gulf Coast throughout the rest of the year. With more than 27 miles of white sand beaches, you can always find a little section to enjoy all by yourself here, and the artificial reefs located just offshore are perfect for snorkeling. 

7. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Located just 45 minutes east of the iconic Flora-Bama beach bar, Pensacola is the farthest west of the panhandle beaches on our list. This destination offers a bit of everything, including shopping, restaurants, and a fishing pier.

8. Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Seashells are the primary attraction down on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, and the amount of them spread across these popular beaches just west of Fort Myers is astounding. True shell lovers will also want to check out the nearby Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum while they are in the area.

9. Siesta Key

Siesta Key, Florida

Just south of Sarasota is where you will find the romantic beach destination of Siesta Key. In addition to white sand beaches and calm blue water, this eight-mile-long island paradise is also known for its resorts, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

10. St. Pete Beach

After kicking off our list with Clearwater Beach, it seems appropriate to close it out with St. Pete Beach, which is located just 30 minutes south. Just like Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach is one of the most gorgeous beach destinations in all of Florida, and it offers the added appeal of almost always having beautiful weather.

No matter which one of these beaches you choose to explore, it really is hard to find a bad option up and down Florida’s Gulf Coast.

In fact, we highly recommend that you make your way through all ten of these beaches and decide for yourself which ones are your favorites.

5 Reasons Your Grandkids Would Like You to Move to Florida

Everyone has a good idea why making the move to Florida would work for them, but one of the things that we often fail to consider is how that move could have a positive impact on the younger generations of our families.

No matter what ages your grandchildren might be, every young kid loves having the opportunity to brag about their “cool grandparents” living it up down in the Sunshine State. But even more than that, there are plenty of tangible benefits that those grandkids can enjoy on account of your Florida residency.

So, if you are still on the fence about whether making the move is right for you, take some time to consider these five reasons your grandkids would love for you to head south to Florida this year.

Theme Park Excitement

Disney World

The very first thing at the top of just about every grandkid’s list is going to be having easy access to the theme park capital of the world.

Whether we are talking about young kids that are excited to visit the Magic Kingdom or teenagers gearing up for a trip to Universal’s Islands of Adventure, there are major theme parks dedicated to serving all age groups here in Florida.

Having grandparents that live anywhere near Orlando makes the process of getting down to Florida and visiting those parks so much easier than it would be otherwise. Busch Gardens in Tampa is also just under 90 minutes away.

White Sand Beaches

Right behind the theme parks, is the fact that Florida offers beautiful white-sand beaches that can serve as a massive sandbox for those grandkids to play in.

Between building sandcastles, digging holes, and riding those mild Gulf Coast waves, you would be hard-pressed to find a youngster that doesn’t love heading to the beach.

And having grandparents that live down in Florida makes getting to those gorgeous beaches just a little bit easier.

Warm Winter Weather

Another reason that your grandkids would love for you to relocate to Florida is that you would be giving them an opportunity to escape the colder weather that they might be dealing with back home.

Many new Florida residents find that their grandchildren actually visit with them more after they move south than they ever did before..

Virtually Endless Golfing

If your grandchildren happen to be into golf, the warmer weather will give them opportunities to practice a bit more than their competitors back home in the north during the colder months.

Having the ability to get out on the course a few extra times each year could make a difference for developing college scholarship worthy skills.

Fun With Manatees

You can take your grandkids to the zoo in pretty much any major city around the country, but there is only one place where you can take them to swim with manatees. The Gulf Coast of Florida is proud to be that place.

Whether your grandkids are obsessed with animals or you are just looking for a cool way to impress them, it doesn’t get much better than swimming alongside our giant sea cows down here in paradise.

Between all of the things that you can do here in Florida and the fabulous climate that you get to do them in, it’s no surprise that grandkids from all over the country travel here throughout the year to visit their grandparents.

So if you aren’t totally sold on Florida being a great place for you to retire, make sure you consider the impact it could have on your grandkids!

January Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It’s a brand new year here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, and our friends at the Activity Center are already planning to make sure that 2020 is the best one yet for all of our residents.

Whether you are looking for exciting shows, fun social events, fantastic learning opportunities, some serious competition, or just a great meal, there is something for everyone happening around our community this month.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the activities and events you are going to want to put on your personal calendar in January of 2020.

Big Show Series

The Big Show Series will be rocking and rolling into 2020 starting with “Shadow of the 60s” performing at the Activity Center Auditorium on Thursday, January 16. This tribute to the Motown super groups will feature some of your all-time favorite classic tunes from The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.

Thursday, January 30 will be a night to celebrate the music of Linda Ronstadt when “Love is a Rose” hits this stage for the second Big Show Series performance of the month. This one will feature Paula Hanke and Peggy Ratusz singing all of Linda’s greatest hits.

Social Events

The social events for January will kick off with a trip to Winter Springs for the Scottish Highlands Games on Saturday, January 18. In addition to some pretty wild competition, this event will also feature beer, wine, and whiskey tastings, as well as highland dancing and plenty of food vendors, so it will make for a great way to spend an afternoon with friends.

Tasty Trivia Tuesday will be celebrating its 15-year anniversary in the Hampton Room on January 21. The appropriate theme for this month’s questions will be “Fifteen,” and the dinner menu will feature Boursin-Stuffed Chicken Breast and Sliced Sirloin in Mushroom Sauce.

On Thursday, January 23, the Hampton Room will be hosting a Disco Fever Dance Party. Break out your best bell-bottom pants and prepare to get funky with Groove 41 performing live disco hits throughout the entire evening.

There will be a group trip to Giraffe Ranch in Dade City on Friday, January 24 that will leave at 9:45 am and return around 3:30 pm. This will be a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a number of giraffes in a safari-meets-zoo environment. The trip will also include a stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch.

Another trip that you won’t want to miss out on this month will be Publix Aprons Cooking School in Tampa on Tuesday, January 28. This month’s menu will include Grilled Chicken with Apples, Bacon, and Gorgonzola along with Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and a Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Gelato.

Art & Education

This month’s educational opportunities will feature a six-week Internet for Dummies course that kicks off on Sunday, January 12. The first class is free to attend, which is a perfect reason to stop by the Activity Center and check it out.

Doc Talk will be back in the Activity Center Auditorium on Tuesday, January 14 at 1 pm. This month’s speaker will be Dr. Shalesh Kaushal, and the topic will be retinal disease and overall eye health.

Our friend Gayle Cohen will be back in the Garden Room for another Lunch & Learn session where she discusses the healing power of music on Friday, January 17 starting at 10:30 am. This month’s menu will feature a Grilled Chicken Wrap with Potato Salad and a Warm Apple Crisp Dessert.

The Activity Center Auditorium will be hosting a Travel Seminar called “Explore South Dakota” on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30 pm. This free seminar will break down everything you need to know about an upcoming 7-night trip to the Black Hills that is currently being planned for October of 2020.

On Saturday, January 25 there will be an AARP Smart Driver Course teaching defensive driving tactics at the Activity Center. Participating in this course could earn you a discount on your car insurance and save you a lot more than the price of admission.

Golf & Tennis

Our local golfers are going to be out in full force throughout the month of January with the Men’s Ringer Tournament Major Event happening at Skyview on January 13 and 14. Then the Citrus Hills courses will be hosting the New Year’s Open on January 4, the Ladies’ Winter Invitational on January 10, and the Ladies’ Citrus Cup Championship on January 17.

Anyone looking to start off 2020 by improving their golf game should make a point to attend the Free Golf Seminars with PGA/LPGA Teaching Professional Mary Slinkard. She will be working with beginner golfers this month on January 6, 7, and 8. Then she will be back to work with intermediate golfers on January 13, 14, and 15.

Skyview Tennis Center will be hosting its monthly Free Beginner Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, January 14 at 11:30 am. This is always a great way to introduce yourself to the local tennis community and meet neighbors that you can play with on a regular basis.

Dinner Specials

Skyview Restaurant will be pulling out all the stops to kick off 2020 with a Steak & Lobster Fest Dinner on January 4, a Soft-Shell Crabaganza on January 18, and an Asian Buffet Night on January 23.

Then their biggest event of the month will be the Taste of Rome Wine Dinner on Tuesday, January 14 that will feature five different courses of food and wine pairings.

The big event at the Tiki Bar this month will be their Karaoke Night, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 7 from 6 pm to 9 pm.

BellaVita Spa and Fitness

If you happen to find any quiet time for yourself in between all of the action happening around our community this month, make sure you don’t forget to make an appointment at Bella Vita Spa. They will be featuring an Aromatherapy Facial and a Luxurious Jelly Pedicure throughout the entire month of January.

With all of these exciting activities and events happening all over the community this month, there is no reason not to get out and enjoy everything that the Villages of Citrus Hills has to offer. Make sure that you put all of your favorite events on your calendar so that you don’t miss out on the fun!

Experience the Tampa Craft Beer Scene

With a brewing history that dates all the way back to 1896, beer has always been a big deal in Tampa. But even the biggest craft beer enthusiasts have been pleasantly surprised at the amount of growth the Tampa craft beer scene has logged over the past decade.

Whether you are a passionate craft beer enthusiast or just a regular beer drinker looking for a good time, the craft breweries that are popping up all over Tampa offer local residents a great way to explore the city in a unique way that changes in flavor each and every day.

If you are just getting your feet wet exploring the craft beer scene in Tampa, these are the five powerhouse operations that should be first and foremost on your list.

Angry Chair Brewing

Founded on the principle that everyone has an “Angry Chair” that they wouldn’t mind getting away from for a bit, Angry Chair Brewing is a 1,900 square foot operation that is best known for their unique stouts.

Attached to the brewery is a 1,000 square foot taproom that features 16 taps pouring their latest creations. If you are looking to try a little bit of everything, you will be happy to learn that they offer 5 oz pours of anything on the menu. They are open every day of the week, but the hours do vary slightly from day to day.

Brew Bus Brewing

Brew Bus Brewing originally started as a party bus tour company that offered transportation for patrons looking to hit multiple breweries over the course of a day. After struggling to choose which local brewery to feature most prominently, they eventually decided to create their own.

The taproom at Brew Bus Brewing is open every day and features 20 different beers on tap.

Whether you are looking for crazy-hopped IPA’s or just a mellow pale ale, there is something for every palate here...and each beer has its own hysterical name.

Brew Bus Brewing also offers a full menu in their taproom, and they still run public and private bus tours to other breweries on a regular schedule.

Cigar City Brewing

Since opening its doors in 2009, Cigar City has quickly grown to become one of the most popular craft breweries in all of Florida. Much of that growth has been driven by their fantastic Jai Alai India Pale Ale.

The tasting room at Cigar City Brewing is designed to look and feel like the quintessential neighborhood bar, and you can grab a pint and a cigar here any day of the week between 11 am and 8 pm. Cigar City Brewing also offers full tours every day at 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 4 pm, and 5:30 pm.

Coppertail Brewing Co.

This brewery is named after an imaginary monster created in the mind of the owner’s daughter. The creative five-year-old’s impossible creation seemed to fit right in line with the story of a talented home brewer looking to make a career out of his hobby by going up against the monsters of the beer industry.

The four core beers that Coppertail is known for are its Free Dive India Pale Ale, Dependent Pilsner, Night Swim Porter, and Unholy American Trippel Ale. You can find those beers along with plenty of other seasonal options being poured and served along with delicious food in their beautiful taproom every day of the week.

7venth Sun Brewery

After earning a degree in Fermentation Science from Oregon State University and logging time working for Anheuser-Busch and Sweetwater Brewing, Devon Kreps decided that it was time to create her own brewery. That idea would lead to the founding of 7venth Sun Brewery, which officially opened its Dunedin facility in 2012.

7venth Sun Brewery is best known for its unique variations of Florida Weisse beers, but you can always find a full selection of brews available at their taproom in Tampa, which is open later than most breweries every night of the week.

While these five breweries certainly represent the best of what the Tampa craft beer scene has to offer, they really just scratch the surface of one of the fastest-growing craft beer markets in the entire country.

Don’t miss out on your chance to check out some of these incredible breweries the next time you head down to The Big Guava.