Manatee Springs State Park–Sunday–December 30,2013

Yesterday we had a nice easy drive from Walkabout Campground in Woodbine, Georgia to Manatee Springs SP in Chiefland, Florida. 

Other than the heavy traffic and strong winds on I-95… once we turned off on 301, the 150 mile trip was a no headache trip:o)  When we arrived at our campsite, Nancy parked the car and got behind the Motorhome.  As is our normal custom, she guides me into the site with hand signals.  We have been using this method for years – she points and I follow.  Within seconds we had put Baby exactly where we wanted her. 

Our neighbors, one in a motorhome and one in a pop-up came over and told Nancy that she’s going to give all the other wives a bad reputation.  What??  Huh??  It turns out they were actually impressed that we backed up and parked the motorhome without saying a word.  Just using hand signals—no frantic yelling, screaming, obscenities or arguments.  I really think they were disappointed there was no RV entertainment to watch;o))

It was already late afternoon when we got set up.  We headed over to check out the Springs and see if there were any Manatees. 

 

 

We walked the boardwalk and didn’t find any.  But when we walked around the other side of the spring, we saw one. 

 

Maybe tomorrow we’ll see more.

Sunday, December 30 - Today, we went geocaching and hiked one of the easy hikes.  We waited until after lunch when the temperature finally moved out of the 30’s and reach the mid 50’s. 
 

First, we found the geocache near Catfish Hole. 

 

Inside was a travel bug.  We didn't move it.

We'll let the next cacher do that.  

But we may look it up and see where it has been;o)) 

Catfish Hole is the spot where certified Cave Divers can enter the underground waterways that feed the spring.  They actually spend hours exploring these waterways!!



 

Divers entering Catfish Hole

Preparing to Dive

They're Gone!!

 

 

After that,

we walked The Sink Hole Trail to find the second geocache. 

Never found this Cache;o((

 

BUT... 

we must have seen 15 or more deer.

 

 

They were everywhere!!

Following the hike, we walked out the boardwalk again.

 

This time we saw several Manatee.  Well actually, you don’t see much more than their snout when they surface to breath. 

 

 

But it is so cool to hear them breath and see the shadow of their bodies. 

They are so large!!

(click to enlarge any photo)

We also saw Vultures, Belted Kingfishers, a couple wading birds and the turtle line;o))

 

 

The red faced Vultures are Turkey Vultures,.

The others are Black Vultures

This Turkey Vulture wasn't thrilled to have his photo taken;o))

 

 

A Juvenile White Ibis caught its dinner and then down the hatch!!



 

 

Two Belted Kingfishers were having a turf war!!

 

 

Of course, no sunny day near the water would be complete without

"The Turtle Line":o))

 

We are only here for a couple of nights so we’ll have to come back another time (when it’s warmer) to do some kayaking and cycling. 

 

We did buy our annual Florida State Park Pass.  Now that we are Floridians, we plan to really use it in the next few months!!!