Swimming with the manatees

Last Saturday, we did something we've talked about doing for a long time. Just an hour north of here is Crystal River, which is home to more manatees than anywhere in the world and also the only place that you can legally swim with the manatees.

It was quite an experience! First squeezing into the form-fitting wetsuit then the cold boat ride out to the springs where the manatees like to hang around the warm water.

They are kind of hard to see because the water is a little murky, but we did spot a few. Here's the funny part. I had spotted one and was trying to get Jo's attention. Since she was snorkeling beside me, I patted her on the rear end, but she just ignored me, so I tried again. About the same time, someone started tapping me on the shoulder and I turned around and, lo and behold, there was Jo! I turned back around and the other swimmer was still there. Oops! I'm still not sure who I was patting, but at least no one complained.

There were a couple of manatees that swam right up to some of the people in our group. And Jo actually got to pet one and scratch it....They like to be scratched! I didn't get to touch a manatee. I think I did a little better.....