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Crystal River Outdoor Activities
Golf and Horseback Riding
By Lilliam Larsen
Whenever we travel, we try to find some unique or different things to do that perhaps most folks would also enjoy. Our recent trip to Crystal River and Florida's "Nature Coast" revealed a couple of our favorite
activities - horseback riding and golfing.
 Black Diamond Golf
As unique as a true black diamond would be,
this private, residential golf course community centered on old rock quarries was a huge surprise. We have golfed all over Florida and have never seen a course layout quite like this
one. We were fortunate enough to know somebody who knows somebody, and were invited as guests of Steven Pritchard who is a well-known events promoter. Fortunately, we
scheduled to play only 9 holes on the Quarry Course but those nine holes were like playing 36 holes in a row!
In 1987, Tom Fazio developed three distinctive and exclusive championship courses
totaling 45 holes. He transformed the abandoned limestone quarries, with their sheer 80-foot cliffs plunging
 into the lakes, into the Quarry Course. The Quarry Course at Black Diamond Ranch has appeared in nearly every golf magazine as "America's Best" and "World's
Greatest" courses, and "Florida's Top Residential Best Golf Community", with luxurious yet unobtrusive homes thoughtfully tucked away into wooded landscape.
It goes without saying that you need to be in
excellent physical shape to walk up and down several of these holes circling around the quarry. The view is spectacular from many of the tee boxes, fairways and greens, almost
distracting you from play. Black Diamond Ranch (www.blackdiamondranch.com) is a gem in Citrus County!
Soquili Stables
 Want to ride a Florida Cracker horse? Soquili Stables is home to several Florida Cracker horses, a specific breed descending from Spanish horses. There are only 1,300 in
existence and you can try one out at the stables that are located about 15 minutes
north of Plantation Inn on Crystal River. Running the stables are owners Merlyn Lewis and Diane Baggerly.
They will take reservations in advance for
short horseback rides, however, this fairly new operation is better known as Faith
Haven Christian Retreat Center. The 60-acre facility started out just two years ago as a day summer camp for children between 9 and 17 years of age. The day is filled with group
riding lessons, focusing on the needs and goals of each child.
Both Diane and Merlyn are also EAGALA Certified Equine Specialists (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning
Activities). They work with children as well as adults to foster responsibility, trust and other life essentials. This on-the-ground program is an alternative to standard talk therapy.
To find out more about the Soquili Stables, contact them at soquili.stables@gmail.com.
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