January 2021, Swim With The Manatees, Crystal River, FL, Friday January 29th

Hi there, folks. Onward to Jesus’ missions in the field and adventure. On Friday, January 29th, both of us, Marc and Sharron, took a swim with the manatees in Crystal River, FL!

We arrived Thursday afternoon  and toured the area to find a suitable kayak launch location.

The Lord led us through a referral to Hunter Springs Park — a perfect spot to launch our kayaks when we return. This land was donated to the city as use for a public park.

Along the way on this trip, we proclaimed the gospel in snippets as the situation allowed.Jesus is merciful…Jesus will save.

Notice in this video how beautiful the park is designed and facilitates a variety of public uses.

As we walked slowly around the wonderful park, we caught a couple of kayaks paddling back in toward sunset. Make sure you carefully scope out their “passengers!”

Friday AM – Up early and ready for the swim

At 11 AM and now 65 degrees, we suited up and motored over to Three Sisters Springs where the manatees had come in during the night to avoid the deadly water temperature in the 50’s of the Gulf of Mexico. The Springs are a constant 72 degrees.

We launched out from the dive shop and motored for quite a while through King’s Bay, the 650 acre bay, until we began to enter the main tributaries on the way to the Springs.

We have about ten people in our group of various backgrounds and persuasions. Most were tourists like we were.

Here we enter the canal.

 

We move closer to the Springs and see a group in the water right ahead.

 

And finally we motor up real close to the large gathering of manatees where I begin our first underwater videos.

 

When we arrived at our spot at the springs, we anchored and stepped into the cool water with our snorkel equipment.

Sweet lady Sharron was a bit hesitant for she had never snorkeled before and has had an aversion to putting her face in the water. In no time, she had head down and in and was marveling at the under water creations of our Lord!

 

Here we get our first look at the herd of manatees, the sea cows, at the springs.

 

In this video, notice the fish swimming under the tail of the adult manatee. And then, the baby manatee following it’s mother and coming to the surface for a breath of air. Manatees are mammals.

 

And here is the view above the water of the herd at the springs head.

Next, you can hear the glee in Sharron’s voice and my laughter at her delight as this manatee swims right by and brushes her leg!

 

Another manatee swims right underneath our group!

 

Here we find Sharron and our intrepid guide, Michael, at the crossroads on the springs and the channel were we’re anchored.

 

And finally, Marc shows us sweet lady floating still head down in the springs…and our boat with “Captain Bligh” from the HMS Bounty!

And back to the dock to dry off and shed our wet suits. Another of the Lord’s creation adventures and mission trip! Goodbye…for now.