Day 18 of our trip to FL and SE

On the Road Again Saturday, Feb. 12 (Happy Anniversary to Claudia and Bob. 45! How wonderful!) to the Manatee Visitor Center in Apollo Beach. This is THE place to see manatees. There were probably 175 to 200 manatees in the warm water reservoir at the Big Bend Station of Tampa Electric Company. The young ones were frolicking in the water closer to Tampa Bay. The bigger manatees were near the shoreline, appreciating the 68 degree water. Air temp. was 52 degrees and a strong wind.


They come up to the surface for air. They can stay under water between 3 to 20 minutes.



Manatees in the shallow water.



More in the shallow water.


These farther out toward the Bay.




We saw 4 stingrays, a shark, ospreys and gulls.


We walked out the 900 foot pier through mangroves. They had signs describing the native plants. We were there over two hours just in awe of nature. Since Phil has been wearing his Packer jacket we have been meeting a lot of people from WI as well as Packer fans from around the country.




WE rode our bike out to what we will call "Sunset Point.". What a beautiful sunset across from St Petersburg and Tampa.













From our campsite.


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Location:E. G. Simmons Park