Florida

So begins my summer vacation adventure with the girls.  So far we've driven for far too many hours, swam with manatees, driven four more hours to our destination, visited the most beautiful beach ever, saw more manatees, and managed to laugh, laugh, and laugh lots more.  AND vacation is only half way over.  

Our adventure began by leaving North Carolina and driving thru South Carolina into Georgia where we made a pit stop at...

Best BBQ around. Yummy.  It's been featured on diners, drive-ins, and dives.  It was so yummy and a ton of food at a good price.  You eat outside by the smoker at picnic tables with all of your new friends who are also dining at the same time.  I SSSOOOO recommend this place in your travels through Georgia. 

Next we began our drive to Crystal River, Florida the home of our manatee adventure.  Oh my goodness gracious what an adventure that was.  We lucked out and got to swim for over an hour with a baby manatee and it's mother.  Mind you that baby was not tiny, nor was its mother.  Our captain estimated the mother at around 2,000 pounds!!!  The baby manatee reminded me of a puppy - playful, wanting attention, rolling over so we could pet it's tummy, swimming with us - what an experience.  I do have to admit that I was swimming minding my own business and looked down and saw this MASSIVE creature under me - I about hit the panic button!!  I was sure she was going to surface and take me with her.  Haha. I know that wouldn't have happened but whew my heart was racing.   They are HUGE!!  Even the baby at 3 months was huge.  

The one bad thing about the manatee adventure - the wetsuit!!  Oh good grief - words can not even express the feeling of getting into that wetsuit.  A pact was made of absolutely not a single pic was to be taken of us in our wetsuits.  NONE.  ALTHOUGH considering I am a complete chicken regarding water temperature, I was thankful for the wetsuit as the water was very cold on my feet - I opted out of using the fins - I am so not coordinated enough to use the fins - I can't even walk without tripping, I don't need something that is at least 12 inches longer than my own foot on my feet!!  Here is proof of my uncoordinated entry into the water from the boat...

That is my arm. Trust me when I say that the pic does not do it justice.  3 put of the 4 of us have a bruise.  The fourth doesn't because she didn't follow directions and jumped in the water.  Hmmm...

Now on to Lehigh Acres - then to Sanibel Island.  An amazingly beautiful beach.  I could've stayed there all day!!! And we did. Hahaha. 

We even saw a manatee swimming by while we were sunning ourselves.  It was only out in waist deep water.  Of course I freaked out when I saw it.  For someone who loves the beach, I have a slight aversion to the creatures that live there.  I immediately see an animal and think shark, once I realize it isn't I'm ok, yes I know very irrational.  I blame it on jaws.  

I also had a super time visiting with the Reed family.  These kisses are super.  I loved hearing about what is going on in their lives. My only wish is that the visit could have been longer!!!

The last day of our trip resulted in rain....yes I know should I be surprised?  Me and an outdoor adventure = rain.  

Then we began the journey home.  One stop was made. Another Diners, Drive ins, and Dives stop - this time in Jacksonville.  Food was yummy.  I had a breakfast pie with eggs, potatoes, bacon, and cheese.  The other ladies had a stuffed French toast that was humongous. 

So thankful for a trip to the beach.