2/16/22 Crystal Springs to Port Charlotte, FL

 2/16/22

45 degrees this morning - at least we're out of the 30's!

Leisurely breakfast of blueberry pancakes and fruit. Beth takes a medication first thing in the morning and has to wait an hour to eat, so we often don't wait around to make breakfast.

First we drive to a nearby boardwalk that leads to the Goethe Giant, a huge cypress tree that is estimated to be between 800 and 1000 years old. Nice walk in a transitional zone between the pine flat woods and the floodplain swamp.  We like that the boardwalk is made from pine trees that were killed by the Pine Bark Beetle which was rampant in the US a few years ago.

Spring is just beginning here.

Then we leave the State Forest behind and head towards Three Sisters Springs in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to see some manatees.  The GPS takes us to the entrance of Three Sisters Springs, but you can't park there.  There is a shuttle at another location in town, but Greg opts to park at a small shopping center within walking distance of the entrance, which works fine.

These Springs were protected in 1983 to protect the wintering West Indian Manatees.  The water is a constant 72 degrees and manatees require warm waters.  Nice paths lead to the Springs and a trail goes around the 3 connected Springs. 

 The water is a beautiful clear blue and attracts 100's of manatees between November and March each year. Up to 20 million gallons of water comes from 20 spring vents each day. We see a few manatees on the move, but most are just chillin', coming up for air occasionally.

A Publix grocery store is just a few blocks away, so we stop for a few supplies (including Tony's chowder!).  Groceries seem much more expensive here than Texas, but perhaps it is because this is a "touristy" area.

We call and talk with Beth's brother John, and decide to skip the crowded area around Tampa and head to their house in Port Charlotte.  John mentions a stop at Apollo Beach where there are also many manatees, so we decide to do that.  We'll use major highways to get there asap.

As we approach Tampa we find an LA Fitness, where we stop and use their shower facilities. We've done this in Pennsylvania, Oregon, North Carolina, Arizona, Ohio and a few other spots.  They are usually located in the suburbs of larger cities.

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Apollo Beach is not very far off 75S.  The water is warm here because of Tampa Electric Power Works.  The Company has made a nice viewing area with restrooms, a ray display, gift shop and cafe.

 There are a large number of manatees, as well as some other large fish and a few birds.  The manatees average about 10' long and weigh between 800 and 1200 lbs., but there are obviously some young ones much smaller. The manatees often have to travel miles to find food and the state is trying to replant and replenish the diminishing grasses they eat. 

We continue on 75 to exit 191 at River Road and then another 15-20 miles to John and Yvonne's home. It has been 2 years since we've been together, so great reunion!

 

Their home is on a canal and John has a boat, plus a lovely enclosed pool!   There are 3000 homes in their HOA and John says they are issuing 40-50 builders permits a month! Obviously a popular, growing area!