This morning Phil took us north to Chiefland, Florida, to visit my cousin Rob and Uncle Max. Max is the youngest of my mother's siblings. I haven't seen him since 2005, and I don't know if I've ever met my cousin Rob. Anyway, they own and operate a winery in Chiefland. Max gave us a tour of the winery and vineyard and Rob walked us through tasting their wines.
White Muscadine Grapes and a Windmill from South Dakota
The winery is called Dakotah Winery. South Dakota is where the Rittgers family home was located. Max has acquired and moved to Florida many items that originated in the Dakotas including this windmill.
The muscadine grape is native to the southeastern United States and was the first native grape species to be cultivated in North America.
After our tour and tasting, Phil showed us more of this part of Florida beginning with Manatee Springs State Park.
It was a hot, humid day and the clear water looked so inviting. Even if I had had my swimming suit, I wouldn't have considered swimming here. Before getting to the waterside, there is a sign warning "alligators have been known to attack humans." So why are those two people snorkeling?
We took the safe path along a raised boardwalk into the cypress forest.
Dan and Uncle Phil
Cypress Knees
And, an alligator! Yes, it's small, but where there are small alligators, there must be larger ones, too. This one is just a few yards from those snorkelers.
Back in Homosassa, we lost at another game of dominos but had fun just being with Phil and Ruth. Tomorrow, we say our goodbyes and head north to Savannah, Georgia.
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