Only In Citrus County, Florida

A couple of Citrus County men saddled up for a day of beer, liquor, and canoes on Kings Bay hoping to catch a glimpse of Girls-Gone-Wild.  Here’s their story, straight from the horse’s mouth.

“It started out as another Memorial Day weekend, and a few friends and I decided that since we had all turned 21 a few months apart, we would hit the water with drinks in hand and celebrate in style. I had access at the time, to a nice boat with a good speaker system, radio, and all the amenities.  At the last minute, we decided it would be safer to load up a couple canoes and paddle out so no one was drinking and driving (we also had DD’s waiting to pick us up after our trip out).  That day we woke up loaded the canoes up and hit the liquor store. Between the four of us there was one handle of rum, a 12 pack of beer, and two boxes of wine (acquired from my friends working clients, none of us drink wine so we brought it for the party).  Throughout the day we had been hearing rumors about Girls Gone Wild hosting a party at the shallows and decided that was our destination.  We loaded in at Hunter Springs and paddled out.  Setting out was very smooth, no problems at all, just a rum and coke and the sun on our face.

Upon arrival at the shallows we found a spot amongst the 50-60 boats there and joined the already full swing party.  We had all met friends there and used our canoes to ferry people back and forth from shore with no problem whatsoever from law enforcement. While on a friends boat a few people were singled out and carded, I decided to grab my ID in the process to deter eventually being carded and save myself and the officers some time.  I began handing my ID to FWC officers at which point they refused it, saying ” We can only check the people who were told to present them.”  No words said I walked away and continued my good time.

Towards the end of our day the sky became very dark and the rain started to begin and increase. We loaded up our canoes and headed back for Hunter Springs satisfied with our day.  During this, the two canoes had split up and agreed to meet at the cars. As my friend and I paddled out, the rain increased and the lack of balance from my passenger in the front began to make us take on water – a lot of water, subsequently almost sinking the boat. I jumped over board to bail and decrease weight but to no avail. To our relief a good Samaritan came by and rescued us, dropping us at Petes Peir.  After catching my breath and securing everything I went to meet with my other friends, leaving my passenger who was sick from swallowing water from our ordeal.

As I paddled out I had made it only around the corner of the dry dock building before being confronted by the SAME TWO FWC officers who refused to see my ID.

(Click here to see the humorous police report)

From there, the report reads true except for slight variations that got the BUI thrown out of court, leaving just the disorderly conduct. Although from what I have heard from people who were there, CCSO called in the report to FWC when our canoe was sinking, stating I risked my life jumping over board to retrieve a bottle of rum (containing maybe a few shots), and not trying to bail out the vessel. That means that CCSO watched us damn near drowning and sat by idly.  My actions in the report were that of frustration of so many sobriety tests, when I announced many times that I was drunk. And to the eventual charge of Boating Under The Influence, while I was “In operation of the paddle”.  I was convicted later of Disorderly Conduct and sentenced to 6 months probation, costing all together over $2,500.

That’s pretty much the whole story word for word.  I hope It helps and spread this s*** around.  I still laugh about that night, and have become quite infamous for it amongst friends.  All I can say is “This would have never happened any other place than Circus County.”

Sincerly
Brandon “Cornbread” Hope

This image has nothing to do with the story, I just thought I'd add an image for fun.