Fri, Feb 15 2013 - Paddle and Snorkel with Manatees in Florida (View Original Event Details)
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We 24 AOC adventurers had an awesome time together in Florida. The amazing wild manatees were the highlight of the trip, and we enjoyed unforgettable up-close encounters with these gentle giants while snorkeling, pontoon boating and kayaking. The cooler-than-normal dry weather meant that many more manatees than usual were concentrated in the lovely springs at Crystal River, Homosassa, and the Chassahowitzka & Rainbow River. While paddling we had the good fortune of observing an amazing variety of other critters doing their various “wild things,” including gorgeous ospreys, anhingas, cormorants, pelicans, herons, egrets, - even an alligator and a huge bald eagle!
As planned we took the time to socialize and to pig out together on delicious seafood dinners. The Port Hotel's sunset-viewing waterfront overlook and its Ale House restaurant were the perfect spots to gather Friday evening to kick off the weekend. Although its rooms are definitely on the "rustic" side, most of us agreed that the hotel and its convenient marina & dive shop are an appropriate base of operations for an outdoor-minded adventure group such as ours.
Thanks to my friend and co-leader Patrick for introducing us to “Kayak Carla” and her partner Dave, and for arranging delightful guided outings with them on the Chassahowitzka River on Friday and Sunday. I don’t personally recall ever seeing such a concentration of friendly manatees and other beautiful wildlife in such a pristine setting. Several have commented that our side trip on Sunday up "Baird Creek" to its hidden spring and swimming hole was especially magical - also our encounter with Carla's favorite old manatee friend, "Rachel." Several of us got a kick out of Carla & Dave joining us afterward on Sunday - first for a few rounds of beer at their Chaz Lodge bar and then for a nice sunset and dinner by "Monkey Island" on the Homosassa River.
I was delighted that almost everyone joined me Sat afternoon for the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park and its hundreds of incredible birds & animals including "Lucifer the Hippo" (their only 'green-carded' non-native!). Joyce Taaffe has done a wonderful photo documentary of that outing in her Facebook album, with tons of superb wildlife shots which I hope you’ll all enjoy as I have.
Although most of the group preferred departing for home by Sunday afternoon or Monday morning, I was glad that several of us got to experience a bit of lovely Rainbow River and its huge clear springs and wildlife while en route home on Monday.
Thanks to the many in our group who have expressed your appreciation for the trip in nice notes to me & Patrick. We look forward to receiving links to your various online photo albums and trip anecdotes which we’ll be glad to add here for all to enjoy!
- Posted initially by Charlie on Tue Feb 19
p.s. Special thanks to Patrick, Sherri and Karen for “rescuing” me and Amy by providing transportation for us and our boats after our original carpooling partner had to depart unexpectedly for home Sunday morning.
ADDENDUM and GREAT PHOTO LINKS shared by JOYCE TAAFFE:
Feb 19 from Joyce.Taaffe@gmail.com to Patrick & Charlie:
...I think it was a marvelous event. The meals were all terrific, the group was so friendly and helpful, and the events themselves truly enjoyable. They got better as the weekend progressed, with the most spectacular activity being the kayaking on the Chassahowitzka River. (Maybe your Monday kayaking was even better!)
Thanks to both of you for your fantastic planning and your informative emails. You certainly made a lot of folks happy!
Here are my links to the 4 groups of pictures from the weekend. Since I'm not friends with all of the folks on the event, the members will need the links to access the photos.
Joyce
Fri PM Port Hotel “Sunset Happy Hour,” Ospreys & Group Dinner:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152184455410260.534843.540275259&type=1&l=1d01ebed73
Sat AM Pontoon Boat Excursion and Swimming/Snorkeling with the Manatees:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152184570125260.534861.540275259&type=1&l=e553959f74
Sat PM Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152185270250260.534969.540275259&type=1&l=1c68648ee5
Sunday Kayaking Adventure and Manatee/Wildlife Encounter
on Chassahowitzka River (Chaz) with “Kayak Carla” and Dave:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152185406310260.534979.540275259&type=1&l=7a979f6c04
MORE NICE PHOTO LINKS shared by LORRI MEYER on Feb 22:
Friday gathering for Sunset on Port Hotel waterfront:
https://picasaweb.google.com/115116507155383750859/ManateeSnorkel2013FridayNightSunset?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPT8_PXcgtqSAg&feat=directlink
Sat AM Pontoon Boating & Snorkeling:
https://picasaweb.google.com/115116507155383750859/ManateeSnorkel2013SnorkelTrip?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNHE27jLoeT2PA&feat=directlink
Sat Afternoon Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park critters, etc:
https://picasaweb.google.com/115116507155383750859/ManateeSnorkel2013HomossasaSpringsStateWildlifePark?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOL-1NTkmN_5uAE&feat=directlink
Sunday on the "Chaz" - kayaking with Carla & Dave, manatees, birds, springs, etc.
https://picasaweb.google.com/115116507155383750859/ManateeSnorkel2013ChassahowitzkaRiver?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIiywojDppKkOw&feat=directlink
ANOTHER FABULOUS PHOTO LINK shared by JACKIE BUCHANAN on Feb 23 including great
shots of wild "Chaz" manatees stopping at our kayaks to have their heads scratched:
https://picasaweb.google.com/113453563468182765481/February232013?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJyZjoDaxfj94wE&feat=directlink
PATRICK'S NICE PADDLING & WILDLIFE SHOTS shared Mar 1: "Florida Chassahowitzka Paddle"
https://picasaweb.google.com/patricksocial/FLChassahowitzkaPaddle?authkey=Gv1sRgCK_ZzcK2j9mzfw&feat=email#
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