Kayaking With the Manatees

I went to Manatee Park today and took a kayak out onto the Orange River, where the discharge from the power plant flow into it, to get up close and personal with the manatees. I saw several, heard several more, and got within about 20 feet of one, but none would come up alongside the kayak, as they sometimes do if you are lucky. I asked at the kayak rental place if you are allowed to pet them if they come along side you, but they said it is not permitted ... damn!

Back after an hour on the water!

Anyway, it was great fun. I was out on the water for about an hour. Amy, those couple of times we went kayaking really helped, for I don't know if I would have had the nerve to try this otherwise. As it was, I still managed to ram into a cypress tree along the bank, which knocked my ball cap into the water (I was able to retrieve it).

The manatees should be there in good numbers for another month, so Dawn I can take you there while you are here, and you should be able to see them, but unfortunately the only way to see them up close is in a kayak canoe. It's not a like a zoo where you can see them in an underwater tank or anything. But it's a pleasant enough walk through the 17-acre park.

I'm back at the apartment now, enjoying a Margarita out on the lanai. It's 77 degrees and partly cloudy. There were a couple of isolated showers on the way back from the park, as is usual around these parts; it's like someone turns on and off a switch.

Completely awesome day!

Bruce