Absolutely Wonderful Day.

Our Location today is Crystal River, Florida.

With the furnace running throughout the night because the outside temperature was hovering just above the freezing mark we both slept soundly until nearly 8:00 this morning. It didn’t take long for us to have a hot cereal breakfast and coffee before we did our morning computer reading and chores.

Army Reserves Building by the Airport on Hwy 19.

By 10:30 we were on our way out the door heading for the Town of Crystal River checking out the location of where our 12:30 appointment was scheduled. On the way down we seemed to be looking at buildings we had seen before but had no way of being sure. When we saw a small local airport with a small Army Reserves Depot next to it I knew we were in the area in January while we were at the Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park. Back then the temperature had been in the Eighties today we were only at 43F (6C)

French Onion Soup

Portobello Steak

Portobello Chicken

I turned into a mall parking lot to turn around when Kathy spotted Applebee’s and suggested we have an early lunch since we didn’t know when we’d be eating our supper. We both enjoyed the French Onion Soup along with Kathy’s Portobello Steak and my Portobello Chicken dinners. When we left we were satisfied but not overly stuffed.

Capt. Harry and our tour vessel behind him.

We headed to Pete’s Pier the home of Capt Mike’s Ultimate Manatee Tour. We had heard so many stories of RVers who had kayaked in this reserve but this was being in the water face to face with these gentle creatures. Yes the outside temperature was only 43F (6C) but the spring fed waters or the reserve were 72F (22C) plus you are wearing a wetsuit which helps keep you slightly warmer.

Kathy on the right ready to go.

Entering the Crystal River Reserve.

Guards on duty.

We sat through an informational video telling you how to interact with the Manatees and all the does and don’ts. Because Manatees are warm blooded mammals such as ourselves when it is colder than 68F (19C) they flock to these springs to keep warm and have there young. That meant that the cold air we were dreading is why so many Manatees were available for us to interact with today.

Kathy floating and interacting with the Manatees.

 Kathy had no problem floating the way we were instructed but for me I am more comfortable walking the beams 500 feet off the ground than trying to float. I swim like a rock but am not scared of the water I just have to plant my feet firmly on something solid like the bottom so that’s what I did. The next thing you know I’m an object of investigation by any Manatee that was close to me. I was having a blast trying to interact as well as taking pictures with Kathy’s waterproof camera. Others in our group had interactions but nothing like what I was having. They even accused me of feeding them. I just told them it was my magnetic personality.

Many of the Manatees liked the color of my swim shoes and were trying to suck them off my feet.

Impact marks from encounters with boats.

Giving me a kiss.

Surprisingly our group started heading back to the boat only after being in the water for nearly an hour and a half. Once back on board it didn’t take people long to get changed into dry warm clothes. Everyone was just ecstatic from the experience of a lifetime that all agreed was worth the cold weather swim. Kathy and I swam with the Sting Rays on our honeymoon but this was far better.

This one liked the taste of my suit.

There are two roped areas you can't swim into. It is reserved for the Manatee only. The grey shadows are a few of the hundreds of Manatee in the area today.

Again the shadows are Manatee under the Kayak.

End of a Wonderful Day.

Tonight we are having a hard time keeping our eyes open and are thinking of the wonderful dreams we’ll be having tonight. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

“Doctor, doctor, I keep thinking there are two of me.”

“One at a time please.”