<<We were harassed by a couple of pods of dolphin on the way back from Egmont Key on Sunday, but no, I didn't see any sharks, alligators, or manatee, either.>> Anybody who wants to see lots of manatees should slide by Manatee Springs State Park, west of Gainesville. You don't even have to get wet...just walk along the boardwalk and you look down on them. We must have seen at least 10 a couple of weekends ago. Because of extremely low waters, they were hanging out at the mouth of the entry to the Spring. The Spring has an annual average temp of 72 degs F - I even swam there and it was Feb! I understand you usually see them further in. The campground was really nice and you could walk to the spring - concession stand sells hot dogs and hamburgers etc. Because I had spent so much time fussing with Louise, the latest addition: Jayco Qwest 8U popup camping trailer, I didn't want to mess about with putting the Puffin together for a short paddle and then have to put it away wet, so I thought I'd just walk over and rent a kayak. There I was, walking with paddle, PFD, etc. when some guy hollered, "You forgot your boat!" good chuckle Turns out they have 10 kayaks on order...rented a solo, 14'7" canoe. What a joke. First of all there was no center seat, so when I sat in the stern the bow was raised and the wind was playing games with me...I did about three 360s..... Every now and then, I'd head for the middle of the canoe (thank goodness I had recently watched the Trailside Solo Canoeing the Turner River video)and gain control by kneeling (I was using a kayak paddle)but my feet would cramp up and the chammy sponge cloth didn't protect my knees much. Finally made it out of the mouth and onto the Suwannee, but it was not pleasant paddling. Lasted an hour. Beautiful place, sping was a fabulous blue, lots of divers, lots of deer. sandy kramer miami *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Feb 28 2002 - 12:25:52 PST
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