Ma’am, Gators Swim in Deep Water Too

Day 71, November 8th

Honeymoon Island, Florida

Honeymoon Island, Florida

Honeymoon Island, Florida

Shelley: Hi there.

Crusty old local Fisherman: (Drawls) Hey yuh.

Shelley:…

Local Fisherman:..

Shelley: I’m waiting for my husband. We’re going kayaking.

Local Fisherman: I can see that. Ever been up the Crystal before?

Shelley: No. This is our first time in this area. Yesterday we went to Honeymoon Island.

Local Fisherman: Is that a fact? Which way you thinking of heading?

Shelley: Hmmm. I’m thinking we should go against the wind and current to start, then float back down.

Local Fisherman: Seems sensible enough.  

Shelley: We’re hoping to see manatees.

Local Fisherman: You just might if you paddle in far enough. About a couple of miles should do it.

Shelley: That’s awesome. What else will we come across?

Local Fisherman: (Takes his cap off, scratches his head) Well now, let’s see. Monkeys just over on that island there. And herons. And vultures. You know, the usual Florida birds.

Shelley: Wait. Did you say vultures?

Local Fisherman: Heh! Heh! They’re harmless enough. Unless you get too close.

Shelley: No worries there.

Local Fisherman: And of course there’s plenty of alligators in that river.

Shelley: I thought they’d be spooked by all the boat traffic.

Local Fisherman: No matter to them.

Shelley: Wow. Thanks for sharing that. We’ll paddle away from the shore.

Local Fisherman: Ma’am, gators swim in deep water too.

Shelley: But it’s not like they’re going to try and eat me. Right? Ha! Ha! Ha?

Local Fisherman: Not the little ones. But if one of those 8 footers has a look at you, he just might.

Shelley: Hang on a second. You’re just trying to scare me. That’s not very nice.

Local Fisherman: Dang, you got me. Heh! Heh! Heh! Nah. There’s not enough of you to eat. Why you can’t be more than 90 pounds soaking wet.

Shelley: Whew! Thank God.

Local Fisherman: Can’t say they won’t attack your kayak, though. They love kayaks. Especially pretty little orange and yellow ones.

Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida

Manatee, Crystal River, Florida (Dang. Camera flash was on.)

King’s Bay, Crystal River, Florida

And some pic’s from the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park …

Shelley and John