Freeze & Float

In March of 2020 Thelma and Louise, like the rest of the world, had to cancel our Spring Break trip. We had planned to head to Florida to visit the Everglades National Park, snorkel at Dry Tortugas National Park, and to swim with manatees near Crystal River.  We caught the Everglades after a cruise a couple years ago, but I have still kept thinking about the manatees. Without something specific planned for this year, we thought we'd go do it!

We don't know how to come to Florida unless we fly overnight from Seattle. I'm sure it's possible, but what's travel without a little thrash? ;) It actually wasn't that bad. We had plenty of time at the airport and had a nice dinner at PF Changs (N terminal), and took the two gate changes in stride. And guess who was one of the flight attendants? Marci Nicholson! (That detail is for my SVSD friends). 

Anyway, today was the day! We swam with a company called Fun 2 Dive, which was recommended to us by one of Louise's friends. Great tour company if you're interested! Everyone was incredibly nice and knowledgeable.

The hardest part of the day was most definitely getting in and out of our wetsuits.  Except for the week I lived in one for that rafting AMP trip with Bush (who let me sign up for that?), I've spent zero time in wetsuits. The dressing rooms were tiny, and the wetsuits tinier... 😆 Luckily there is no video or audio of this portion of the trip. ;)

Ta-da! 😜

This is the end of the "winter" season in Florida, so there are still some manatees close to shore, but others have ventured further into the bay since the water is warmer and food more plentiful. Our captain and swim guide found us a spot away from other boats where there were a couple manatees hanging out, and moving slowly (as they are prone to do). 

Since it is incredibly shallow, you have to be very careful with the way you swim so you don't stir up sediment and decrease visibility. To that point, this was counter to E V E R Y T H I N G we have ever learned about snorkeling. Low visibility? Sure, let's jump right in! I'm sure there's nothing (like the huge alligator gar y'all keep talking about) right over there waiting to eat my toes! We used pool noodles to help us float, and were instructed to use very tiny movements to move around. I rammed my hands into the bottom several times. I have never felt less in control over my body! 

Here I am pointing in the exact opposite direction!

Manatees don't see very well, and use their whiskers (like a cat!) to understand their surroundings. Like turtles in Hawaii, you aren't to touch, follow, or harass them, but they are a trusting bunch and despite your best efforts just swim right up to you, or under you. In that regard they reminded me a little of sea otters; super social and a little curious. 

We swam with a mom and baby for a long while. They kept swimming under and around us, and popping up for air right in front of us. We were "swimming" in less than 3 feet of water, so when a manatee decides to swim under you, it's a tight fit! Our guide called this "freeze and float." No swimming, flapping of arms or feet, just stay real still and don't panic when it completely rubs up against you. ;)

The baby was curious and adventurous and swam out to explore, always coming back to where mom was hanging out. Mom was using her flippers to "walk" along the bottom getting food and unlike every other animal I've met with a baby nearby, was super chill.

She 100% blew a snot bubble at our guide! 😂

💚

We LOVE snorkeling, LOVE being in the water,  and LOVE seeing animals in the wild, and so this was such a special adventure. Manatees are definitely strange animals, but there is something so magical about being included in their world for just a little bit. Our hearts are super full!

Tomorrow we head south to Fort Lauderdale to take a baby cruise for the rest of the week. Last year we cruised to several ports where we saw incredible Mayan ruins that we can't stop thinking about. This year? Our cruise has no such stops, and we are looking forward to just relaxing! I wore a bathing suit cover-up all day today (including in a restaurant!!!!), so I'm warmed up for more relaxing!