Kayaking Three Sisters Springs

My friend Connie asked me if I wanted to join her on a kayaking adventure to Three Sisters Springs on Sunday along with her BFF Susie from Colorado and Susie’s daughter Mary Scott from California. 

YES!

There’s not a lot better then a day in Florida in October.  The only way to make it better is to spend that day on the water!

YES!

I lost my waterproof camera over a year ago while kayaking the Weeki Wachee.  I was very sad.  I’ve been planning on getting another one and did a bunch of research and picked up a Fujifilm XP70 on Saturday at Target.  I didn’t have much time to read the manual–I had it just long enough to charge up the battery and stick the SD card in.

And here’s some pics!  Very happy with my new little camera!

Mary Scott
This is Mary Scott. Second time kayaking, first time on the Crystal River and has never seen a manatee! So you know what she’s looking for!

The manatees come to the numerous springs for the warm water in the winter.  Most of them are still out in the Gulf but will headed back as soon as the weather starts cooling down.  But there are usually a few hanging out in the local waterways.  

Bridge
Here’s the bridge that we go under to get to the Springs.
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Connie’s our fearless leader and guides us through the barriers that keep the big boats out of the Springs.
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Very cool roots. I seem to take a lot of pictures of roots. And bridges.
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
So beautiful!
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Crystal clear water.
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Can see the sandy bottom plus all the little fish.
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Here’s Connie and Susie just chillin’.
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
That’s the Three Sisters Springs National Wildlife Refuge. You can see the boardwalk.
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Here’s a group shot of all of us. Yep, that’s my toes!
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
We’re headed out of the Springs area when a boat captain points out a manatee! Mary Scott is the first one to catch a glimpse. Incidentally, that guy in the water is from Russia and is filming the manatees for a movie!

There were several boats any many kayaks in the area but not too bad for a Sunday afternoon.  But as soon as someone spots a manatee—-

Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Suddenly a crowd!
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Not just one manatee! Mama and baby!
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
Makes that new camera so worth it!
Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
How about that for a spectacular view? Blue has always been my favorite color!

And one last pic just for grins….

Kayaking Three Sisters Springs
A Sail Canoe!

I want to remind everyone that Saturday is open house at the Three Sisters Springs.  You can catch a shuttle at Kings Bay Plaza on US 19 in Crystal River.  Paula Bateman, my friend from the acoustic meetup group, is performing plus there will be mermaids!  And Saturday will be another beautiful October day in Florida.

A butterfly and some updates!

Butterfly

This hungry butterfly flittered by to check out the garden.

A butterfly and some updates!

Our weather has been wonderful.  The rain finally stopped.  The no-see-ums aren’t here yet and we had a lovely cold front come through.  Love autumn in Florida.

With the arrival of fall comes many outdoor festivals.  Here’s a few that I’ll be attending:

First, October 25th is the open house at Three Sisters Springs.  This is free.  Stop by Kings Bay Plaza in Crystal River to catch a shuttle and see this beautiful park.  There’s even a mermaid show!  While there will be shuttles to the park starting sometime in November, there will be a charge.  And no mermaids.

I haven’t been able to find any info on the Internet about the annual Blues and Bar-B-Que in Old Homosassa. Guess I’ll have to stop by the Museum CafĂ© and ask.  And get a Cuban sandwich while I’m there. It’s usually the first weekend of November so that should be November 1st.  If you love music, this is a must attend event!

The following weekend, November 8-9 is the annual Old Homosassa Seafood and Arts Festival! There are like a million people that stop in for this show.  If you live in Old Homosassa, get enough food for the weekend because there’s only one way in and out!  The traffic is insanity!

And another important announcement–Michelle will have a post tomorrow! 

And here’s another pic of the same butterfly!

A butterfly and some updates!