Steering a two-person kayak is a lot harder than
it looks, but I'm so glad Ellie and I did it. I told her the other day that if I'd been doing it solo, I would've given up like five minutes in, because it was really frustrating. I was hot, and the guide was hard to hear, and we were going against the current. But because we were doing it together, and because her dad (bless you, Adrian) paid for it, I made myself keep going.
Anyway, I did the silly poem yesterday, but it was incredible. First of all, feeling the water get progressively colder the closer we got to the aquifer was too cool. The river was pretty warm where we started, but the water above the aquifer is around 70 degrees year-round. And although it wasn't the season to typically see manatees, we still saw maybe half a dozen locals! Plus two or three gators, an otter, and so many different birds and fish. It was magical.
I tried taking a few pictures (of Matthew, sea cow KING, passing right under us), but I'm not disappointed they didn't turn out well because I just wanted to be present. Ellie didn't take any, and she agrees. In addition to Matthew, we also saw a mom and her baby and an orphaned adolescent that was still being tracked to see how she does without her mom. And you can swim in the park, too! I want to take the kids there; I think the whole Super Seven would enjoy a plunge with manatees (not to worry, Bove, you can stand up, no actual swimming required).
I think kayaking more would be fun.