Not a Petting Zoo

It's no easy feat donning a wetsuit, flippers, goggles and a snorkel for the first time in the open waters of Kings Bay. I was PADI-certified years ago but Dad and little sis can barely swim without noseplugs and adequate temperatures. The natural fed spring water of Crystal Springs is a balmy 72 degrees, ideal for a 20 minute dip sans suit but not a 2-hour hunt for manatee. And hunt we did along with 25 other commercial dive shops looking to get their customers moneys worth. The murky stew was so churned up with activity that even if there was a manatee around we wouldn't have know it. There was zero visability in even 3 feet of water today and most manatee spook easy from commotion.

I knew in advance that the best time to frolic with gentle giants is in January and February. By April most of the 400+ endangered species swim out into the deep ocean. Still, we searched every crevice of the Three Sisters Lagoon, a sheltered oasis that attracts up to 200 manatees when the air temperature plummets in the winter. Unfortunately the only thing stirring were a few small crabs and tropical sun fish pooling the bottom.

Mary and Tracie of Citrus County VCB (Visitors Convention Bureau) make a great team for showing off their boating and swimming prowess. They were our escorts for a half-day submersion into the wild. They both share countless hours interacting with manatee and navigating the narrow channels and canals of Homosassa. Tomorrow, they're taking us canoeing and/or kyaking through the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge followed by a helicopter ride around the tidal bays, creeks and rivers.