Winter in Florida = Time to see the Manatees

The cold snap means that the manatees are back in the natural springs of Florida. The 72 water temperature is way too cold for me, but it's warmer than the gulf water so the manatee herds flock to it. Cold weather will actually kill them, so 72 is better than nothing! Today Larry and Linda joined us for a trip to see these wonderful animals at Three Sisters Spring. 

These big critters are graceful in everything they do.  They don't expend calories unnecessarily so they move like a slow-motion film (unless they are disturbed; then they splash around). Generally speaking, the only thing I saw a manatee move quickly was it's nostrils. They rise slowly, gently break the water surface, then sink back down below the water. But in that little bit of time, they open their nostrils (which are closed tightly underwater),

and take one deep breath.  

Then, in 2 or 3 seconds, they are underwater again. 

They have to leave the springs in order to eat, and so did we. We went to Crackers again for a late lunch. My blackened mahi tacos were great and Randy enjoyed his mahi reuben, too. Crackers has installed a new intercom system to announce when tables are ready; it's loud and obnoxious - hope it doesn't last long!

What a great Saturday - sometime I can hardly believe we get to live in Florida and do this sort of thing whenever we want. And thank God for the many wonderful friends we have met here!