Florida, Crystal River Jan 2 - 9

Crystal Isle RV Park,  Crystal River, FL  About two years ago Kay and I visited this park.  At that time we decided we wanted to come back and spend some time here.  The park is located on one of the channels that lead to the river.  We met Bob and Connie from Oregon they were into kayaking and fishing also.  Was great to have someone to go with.

Crystal River, Florida

Now this sign tells it like it really is.

We had to drive to the end of the road just to see the Gulf and walk the dogs.

One of the many boardwalks along the gulf.

The water looked too good to pass up a quick kayak trip.

It was pretty chilly so Kay did not want to go with me.  I did about an hour by my self.

The dogs wanted to go me so bad.

After I finished kayaking, we stopped to have a pizza.  Afterward we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things.  This is what we found when we got back to the truck.  There were two big pieces missing.  I know it was Maxwell that opened up the box but I'm sure Zoe got her share of the pizza.

Bob and Marty carrying Bob's kayak down to the channel.  They have a very different kayak.  It has pedals that operates a flipper type of propulsion.  It worked very good for Bob to fish with.

Bob and Connie at Three Sisters Springs looking at the manatees.

There were many of them at the springs.  The water is a constant 72 deg.  The manatees come up to keep warm when the river gets cold.

The manatee are such gentle creatures.

This is my hand getting up close and personal with this one.  It let me scratch his nose for a while before it went back under water.  Many of the manatees have very bad scarring on their backs from motor boat props hitting them.

Bob and Connie on the way back from the springs.

Kay looking at the manatees.

Blue heron along the shore on our way out of the springs.

The day we went kayaking in the gulf among the mangrove islands, the water was as smooth as a piece of glass.  The water was so clear you could see all the way down to at least 15 feet.  It was such a pleasure kayaking under these conditions.  I love kayaking.

Connie getting ready to hit the water.

Bob got the first fish.  It is a nice Red Fish.

I got the second fish.  Sea Trout.

Now this is one fish you do not want to stick your fingers into it's mouth.  You can see the long needlelike tooth.  I did not know it had teeth like that.

One of the many mangrove islands in this area.

Am still looking for my next fish.

Kay took this picture of the Ring-Billed Gull.   She has such a good eye for fine photos.

These birds are non breeding double-crested cormorants

This is an oyster bed shell build-up.  They are very sharp.  They are also covered up at high tide.

One of the nuclear power plants in the area.

Another look at the calm water here.

Bob and Connie getting ready to launch from the campground boat ramp.

This is the channel that leads to the Crystal River from the campground.

A Great Egret doing a little fishing of his own.

This is the end of the channel from the campground. I am now in the Crystal River.

Bob and I doing a bit of fishing in the river.

Just relaxing as I ride the tide back up the channel to the campground.

Bob and Connie in their truck with the kayaks on top
.

Full Moon.