Swimming with the Gentle Giants

Trip Day:	259	Latitude:	28°55.50' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	8	Longitude:	082°41.50'W	Locks Total:	108
Total Miles:	5,662	Location:	Shell Island – Leaving Crystal River

We couldn’t leave Crystal River without the ultimate experience of swimming with the manatees.  With over 20 natural springs in the area ,the constant water temperature of 72 degrees is a perfect winter refuge  for the manatees.

The tour company was very careful to  follow the laws regarding passive interaction with these  gentle giants. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were not allowed to dive down to the    manatees—only float on the surface and allow them to approach us.     They seemed to enjoy having us gently rub the   marine growth off their backs.  One turned over for a good belly rub as well. 

 

 They seemed to enjoy having us gently rub the   marine growth off their backs.  One turned over for a good belly rub as well. 

 

When we were in Jurassic Spring where mother and baby were hanging out we heard the clicking sounds of their communication.  We were very respectful of mother and baby. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This was an amazing experience we hope to share with the grandkids soon. 

Leaving the habitat of the gentle giants, we returned to our world by taking care of four loads of laundry and a quick grocery run before returning the rental car.  Late in the day we headed out the long channel to anchor off a small island just before going into the gulf. 

 

This will save us over an hour tomorrow when we head to Tarpon Springs.

 

 

 

 

We were the upstream salmons—all the other boats were returning to the marina as we headed toward the gulf.  Along the way, we spotted this little pig along the shore –this was a first!

 

Our little island anchorage was lovely and we     noticed campers had the same idea.  The night sky was amazing—the stars just  sparkled! 

 

I could report a minor glitch of a dragging anchor when the current changed, being aground for a short time until the tide change, then repositioning the boat at midnight, but why ruin a perfect day!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1st

What a great day we had in Gainesville!  We got an early start in our rental car and arrived at the O’Dome by 7:30 a.m.  It didn’t take us long to find a group of Sarasota YMCA Shark     parents and before too long Morgan’s group finished warm ups and filed into the bleachers.  Morgan acknowledged us—a good sign!  Soon after we met up with Chad and Alicia.  Both girls did really well at the meet -making the cut for several events to swim at the upcoming Florida Age Group Championships.  Dinner with a group while watching the SEC Championship game rounded out the day!