Our wake up call came at 4:30am – so early – but amazingly everyone was up and ready to go when the chaperons came around to check on each room and deliver cell phones. Breakfast bags were waiting for us in the Lobby, as it was too early for the hotels continental breakfast bar. The bus pulled out at 5:30am and some of us decided to take advantage of the hour and a half drive by taking an early morning nap. Others too awake had social time and enjoyed each other’s company.
Shawn from American Pro Dive met us as we pulled in to the parking lot and took us into their classroom to watch a safety video about Manatees – what to do and not to do. Then it was time to suit up – wet suits, flippers, goggles and snorkels for all. A short trip on the bus down to the docks and then we got to board the pontoon boats.
Our guides Shawn, Rick and Zack began the search for Manatees and it was really a true search. With the weather getting warmer, the Manatees have begun to move out of the Kings Bay Crystal River and its sanctuaries. There were Manatees in some of these sanctuaries that we could observe but not swim with. Instead of waiting for these gentle giants to come out to “see” us we headed up the river to a few other little spring outlets and we were in luck. Maybe not with the numbers but we did have the opportunity to get in the water twice each time with a different Manatee. The first time we all observed a pregnant female from about 5 ft away. She was not too keen on us interacting with her and decided to leave. Next we found a male manatee at about 2000 lbs, who was very willing let us both observe him and give him a gentle scratch on the back and several belly rubs.
With the water being around 70 degrees, getting out of the water and taking off our wet suits was not too bad. Despite the warm temperatures and the sun shine the hot coco tasted great. Back at the dive shop we watched the DVD that Shawn took during our encounter. Sooooo Cool! Many of us did some shopping of various Manatee souvenirs.
Next we drove 30 minutes further north (inland) to the Rainbow River and K P Hole State Park. Yummy packed lunches were handed to us as we got off the bus and it felt great sitting in the sun and eating. While we had lunch we took the opportunity to dry our towels and wet suits a little. Not that it made much of a difference as we got ready shortly thereafter to put them back on again.
Snorkeling and floating down this clear river turned out to be the best activity so far for many of our students. As we gradually floated down the river with the help of the current we observed birds, fish, turtles and other wildlife and also dove to the bottom at several places looking for fossils – coral, shells, sharks teeth and petrified wood.
Back at the hotel we had pizza, pasta and salad with some cookies and strawberries for dessert. We spent time going over yesterday’s Sea World activities in our journals and reviewed what we learned today about Manatees. Instructions about tomorrow were given and then free time. Free time = Pool time or Free time = how do I fit everything into my bag time?
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