July 21 - 26

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211651657169317628289.0004a9022e3b35d13ff1d&msa=0&ll=30.718227,-84.506836&spn=1.884143,4.081421

After a delicious breakfast with the Provows complete with Grits (a staple down South) , we headed East again following the highway along the water. There are a lot of long causeways in this area, connecting the many island and penninsulas. The pelicans skim along the top of the railings, following the road, but we can't figure out why. We passed through several tropical rain storms, which were a welcome relief from the heat, but hard on the car. The wind blows the water to the inside of the windshield, so we were constantly drying it to prevent the guages from getting water in them. We stopped for lunch in Apalachicola( love that name) and the waitress suggested a motel on


Sunrise on St. George Island



St. George Island. It turned out to be a wonderful place right on the beach. The turtles nest on this island so there are no lights to distract them and the night sky is spectacular. The Sea Oats were lovely in the morning light.

 This grass is critical to the area along the coast as it has an extensive root system which holds the dunes from being blown away in hurricane season. It is protected by only allowing people to get to the beaches along marked pathways or by what we call snow fences up north.


From St. George Island, we set off for Cedar Key, which is a quaint sea side town with restaurants, bird trails, and marshlands. This is the Suwanee River, typical of many rivers we crossed, with the trees hanging over the banks and very lush looking.

Some birds we saw on Cedar Key, Some of you might like to try to identify them. We think maybe a Spoonbill.

Tonight we are at Crystal River, planning to tour the park tomorrow, looking for Manatee and then to Homosassa Springs, which is another place the Manatee hang out. We had a $6 steak dinner tonight at a pub, complete with baked potato and onion rings, and believe it or not, it wasn't bad. That's just one example of how bad the economy is down here.

Sheila coming out of lagoon covered in seaweed

Headiing for Homosassa Park by boat

In Crystal River we went snorkeling, and did manage to find a couple of Manatee. The Manatee are out in the Gulf as it is warm this time of year and they need warm water. The water in the Springs is a constant 72 degrees and crystal clear, so it was interesting just to snorkel among the Mangrove roots and see some fish there. In Homosassa the National Park is more like a wildlife encounter, so you only see examples of Florida wildlife in habitats.