Florida Trip - Day 7 - 30 Jan 11

The day started off sunny and warm and we decided we would go to Manatee Park and get a close view of these gentle giants. During the winter months (Jan - Mar) they congregate at many of the Power Plant water discharge canals as the water remains around 68 degrees. At the Ft Myers plant, the non-captive manatee sanctuary provides a winter haven for these warm-blooded native mammals that live, feed and raise their young in the canal. A gate has been set up which allows them to swim out to the river to feed and then return to the warmer canal water. We learned that more than 400 Manatee died in this area last year due to extreme cold water tempertures.

There are 3 viewing areas in the park and one viewing spot is set up at a small inlet where we saw 16-18 bulls, cows and babies plus other huge ones gliding in and out through the gates to the river. The guide told us that because there is no food for them in the canal, they must often travel 8-10 miles searching for food and during the very cold weather, will go weeks without eating rather than risk freezing to death.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching them...they don't do anything but stick their snouts out of the water every 3-4 minutes to breath but some of them are so big it's amazing to see them glide with such ease. Conservationists worry that these Manatees have become too dependent on the 'man-made' warm water and would/will be in serious trouble if the plants have to close in the future for any reason. It was a bit sad to see that very few are without scars from boating accidents. Overall, it was an educational and interesting visit.

After another great lunch at Cracker Barrel (Wayne's addicted) we went to get whatever sun peaked through the clouds. Rather than going across the bridge to Sanibel, we pulled off the road to a small beach area and sat out and read for an hour or so. Getting to any beach is the area is a costly affair--the bridge over to Sanibel is $6 plus $2 hr for parking and Ft Myers is all about pay parking. However, we've decided that the next beach day will be a long-term affair, ie, go over in the morning and stay most of the day.

We move into the condo on Tues and it will be nice to unpack and get somewhat settled. We are trying not to spread ourselves around too much so that we don't have to jam stuff back into suitcases to go 10 miles.....but we will!

Until tomorrow, hugs and kisses to all.