Sun - 6 Apr/14

After breakfast in the RV we left for Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, FL. It was a nice drive - less than 35 mi. from the RV Park.

Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian Manatee. To provide a safe warm water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water related activities, including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating.

We had tickets for the 1 p.m. St. Johns River Cruise. With a little time to spare we decided to eat before departure as the trip would be 2 hours long.

We shared a large, tasty, fresh-made, turkey sandwich and a pink lemonade.

For dessert we also shared a Klondike "Choco Taco" which consists of a sugar waffle cone made to look like a taco. It is filled with vanilla ice cream, fudge and peanuts - all with a milk chocolate coating. The product was invented in Philadelphia in the 1980s; but, first rolled out in 1984 when it became popular in mobile vending trucks and convenience stores. This version, the "Choco Taco" is marketed under Klondike brands as "The Original Ice Cream Taco". This is the first time we have had one - it was good ( certainly better than the old style "Ice Cream Sandwich").

Our cruise was on the "Native II", a large pontoon boat, specially designed to ply the shallow backwaters of the historic St. Johns River. On the eco tour we experienced exotic plants as well as a variety of wildlife, alligators, birds, etc. and plant life, air plants, ferns, large cypress trees (and knees) and.the Sabal Palmetto.

Cypress Tree Knees are the distinctive structures forming above the roots. Their function is unknown, but they are generally seen on trees growing in swamps and thoughts are that they may help provide oxygen to the roots. A more likely function is that of structural support and stabilization for the tree.

State law protects cypress trees along Florida's waterways and now the Department of Natural Resources can levy fines up to $2,500 for the first offense and $10,000 for the second offense without going through the courts.

The Sabal Palmetto, also known as cabbage palm or palmetto, swamp cabbage and a number of other names is native to the subtropical Gulf coast/south Atlantic coast of the USA, as well as Cuba and The Bahamas. It was picked as the State Tree of Florida (presumably) because of its durability and that pioneers could use all parts of the plant. The cabbage-like terminal bud is eaten as "Hearts of Palm". The bristles on the sheaths of young leaves have been made into scrubbing brushes. The trunks have been used as wharf piles and even make a Civil War Fort. In 1970 the Florida legislature mandated that the sabal palm tree should replace the cocoa palm on the state seal. The palmetto tree trunk grows more like grass than a typical tree trunk as it does not have annual rings but grows segments of long leaves with straight lines of parallel veins at the top each year. Image that, a State Tree that isn't (a tree).

Our tour was guided by an expert captain who was also a wildlife expert (with a good sense of humour). She started the tour talking of the history of the river and pointed out various birds. When a bird, gator or something of interest was spotted she would idle and float back for all to see.  We spent as much time going side-to-side and back and forth as we did cruisimg. It was great - most tours just go!

The tour went up the St John’s via the old channel circling Goat Island then returning by the channel. It was a very warm and bright day; even so, we saw hundreds of birds, a half dozen gators, and a few small turtles. Surprisingly, no snakes. By the time our tour was up, even the most inattentive on the boat was able to spot the difference between a Great Blue Heron and an Egret. (Saw plenty of both).

We also learnt that Turkey Vultures can smell carrion up to 25 miles away. Wow! Who knew - Sharks of the air!

Other Facts: Manatees are very sensitive to water temperatures. Below 60 F is deadly. This is why they seek out areas with warm springs feeding the water flow. Spring water here runs at a consistent 72 degrees year round. Although there where only 4 (listed) of the hundreds of Manatees that winter here still left "In the Run", we did not spot any. Most have headed upriver with the warming of the main channel waters.

West Indian manatees are large, gray aquatic mammals with bodies that taper to a flat, paddle-shaped tail. They have two forelimbs, called flippers, with three to four nails on each flipper. Their head and face are wrinkled with whiskers on the snout. The manatee's closest relatives are the elephant and the hyrax (a small, gopher-sized mammal). Manatees are believed to have evolved from a wading, plant-eating animal. The average adult manatee is about 10 feet long and weighs between 800 and 1,200 pounds.

Manatees are gentle and slow-moving animals. Most of their time is spent eating, resting, and traveling. Manatee are mostly herbivorous, however small fish and invertebrates can sometimes be ingested along with a manatee’s normal vegetation diet. Because they are mammals, they must surface to breathe air. They may rest submerged at the bottom or just below the surface of the water, coming up to breathe on an average of every three to five minutes. When manatees are using a great deal of energy, they may surface to breathe as often as every 30 seconds. When resting, manatees have been known to stay submerged for up to 20 minutes. Manatees can swim up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts, but they usually only swim about three to five miles per hour.

West Indian manatees have no natural enemies, and it is believed they can live 60 years or more. As with all wild animal populations, a certain percentage of manatee mortality is attributed to natural causes of death such as cold stress, gastrointestinal disease, pneumonia, and other diseases. A high number of additional fatalities are from human-related causes. Most human-related manatee fatalities occur from collisions with watercraft.

The reproductive rate for manatees is low. Manatees are not sexually mature until they are about five years old. It is believed that one calf is born every two to five years, and twins are rare. The gestation period is about a year. Mothers nurse their young for one to two years, during which time a calf remains dependent on its mother.

West Indian manatees in the United States are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. This includes "petting" manatees.

We were told several amazing stories showing the almost human qualities of manatees, including caring and compassion. Some even seek out human contact (to be petted) for which the fine can be as high as $2,500.00. The actually approach and seek interaction - don't be tempted - it could be costly!

We also heard about Cryptomundo - "Pinky - the St Johns River Dinosaur". (Their own "Nessy"). The captain explained when she met someone claiming to have seen "Pinky" when she was a child. When shown a sketch from the Internet they exclaimed; "Wow! That's it!". Only a few actual sightings have been reported over the years. I like to believe some things could still be possible - like "Bigfoot". The "Real" world may have taken our childhood imagination and innocence; however, we can still hope?

I managed to get a few "Gator shots" - "Tire Treads" in the swamp.

Herons on the shore.

Birds in flight.

Or tending their young (as "brown spots" below the beak) Almost invisible - or visible - (take your pick).

Sunday is the busiest day on the river. Canoes, kayaks, yachts, boats, personal water craft (Sea-Doo), tubes being towed, etc.

Each of the Law Enforcement Officers (2) were giving tickets as we passed - they really enforce "Idle Speed - No Wake" and other rules down here on the river.

We really enjoyed the tour!

On the way back to the RV we decided to continue on SR-42 to The Villages.

Another "Packed" day at Sumter Landing Square! At least 100 Golf Carts, parked side-by-side, per block! We managed to find the last (2) open spots on the street that were within a few blocks (A golf cart pulled into the last spot as we parked).

Charlotte stopped in at IZOD. She managed to find a trio of "Cool" tops. Well, maybe not "Cool" - just not as warm as the tops she has been wearing. (grin)

We see lots of dogs with their owners in the Square; but never cats. Then, we heard the "Skirl (def. A shrill wailing sound) of the Pipes", as the Drum Major led a group down the street. (sort of a grin - cat's got my tongue).

Today, in the Square, they were celebrating "Tartan Day". Tartan Day is a national holiday for all Scottish-Americans. Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant and influential role in the development of the United States. From the framers of the Declaration of Independence to the first man on the moon, Scottish-Americans have contributed mightily to the fields of the arts, science, politics, law, and more. Today, over eleven million Americans claim Scottish and Scotch-Irish roots making them the eighth largest ethnic group in the USA.

The Sottish-American Society of the Villages were central to all the events tonight in the square which was totally packed. No chairs anywhere. After sitting on the "wall" for about 20 minutes a pair of chairs suddenly came available.

At the Sumter Landing Gazebo "Marcille Wallis and Friends" entertained. Charlotte liked when they played "Black Velvet Band" (a favourite of hers).

The Prime Time Twirlers entertained between the band's sets with several high energy routines. These are "Villagers" who can still do the Baton, Flag and Marching routines from their youth. They were good!

Instead of eating at the square we decided to go into another one of The Villages business areas less than 5 minutes away. On the way we were having a hard time deciding - Red Lobster or Olive Garden.

Olive Garden won out.

We had great service and good food. Charlotte ordered the Seafood Brodetto: Scallops, shrimp and tilapia with spinach and mushrooms simmered in a light white wine and marinara-saffron broth, served with toasted ciabatta bread. I had Sausage & Peppers Rustica: Italian sausage, bell peppers and Italian cheeses with cavatappi pasta in spicy diavolo tomato sauce. Portions were substantial. We took home enough for tomorrow's lunch.

A really quick and easy ride back to the RV. This time we went out the "back way" going West first for a little over a mile - then North on US-301; East on CR-42 to SR-19 and finally West to the RV Park. Travel time: about 30 minutes.

This was another great day enjoying Florida!