Kayaking with the Manatees

Dec 2-6, 2014

Sumter Oaks RV Park

Bushnell, FL

We took off from Jacksonville and headed to the Escapee Park in Bushnell where we were sure to find friends.  We parked next to Marilyn and Larry Forbes that we know from past Escapee functions.  Also found Don and Sharon Del Rosario again.  Our friends Jim and Gail McManus from Cape Coral, Florida just bought a new RV so they drove it to Bushnell for the weekend to try it out. We crewed at Balloon Fiesta with Jim and Gail in years past.  So there have been happy hour get togethers, dinners out and Becky has gotten in some beading with the girls in the clubhouse.

Larry & Marilyn hosted happy hour with the Jarvis', Don Del Rosario, Marilyn Forbes, Lonnie, Becky, Larry Forbes and Sharon Del Rosario

Saturday morning Don and Sharon picked Becky up for a kayak trip at Crystal Springs.  Don's hips were bothering him so we dropped him back at the put-in and Sharon took the kayak alone.

Many beautiful picture opts on King's Bay.

Cormorant sunning himself

The water was very shallow in spots as you can see by the hawk standing on a sand bar.

We found this an interesting boat for a realtor to show water front property on Kings Bay.

We finally spotted a Manatee 

It swam right under Becky's kayak. 

This one raised up near Sharon's Kayak.

 They just swim right through all the divers in the water...


and don't mind being petted though we were told not to touch or disturb them.

Becky

These look like fall leaves but they are actually flowering trees.

Kings Bay as we paddled towards Three Sister's Springs.

Sharon's kayak.

We have signed up to stay here in Sumpter Oaks RV Park until Dec. 16 since the weather is so pleasant.  Lots of friends and things to do before heading back to Arizona for Christmas.  We have been so busy that it took a while to get this Blog sent.

Becky and Lonnie