Back from visiting the Manatees

[slkr4life]

I apologize for the long post but there was a lot packed in these three days.

Well I am back and it was an amazing time. Here is a short summary:

Jan 10: Arrived in Homosassa Springs in late afternoon for a tour of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Springs park. A nice zoolike place to get an introduction to the West Indian Manatees. Most of the manatees here have been seriously injured due to propellers and will stay here. Also learned the first manatee in captivity was born here due to a short stay by one really horny male manatee

Arrived at Crystal River a couple hours later. Off to the pool with my adopted boys for the weekend and found Cigars were demonized only by the principal (who did not come). I was really jonesing for a smoke and decided to test out the water poolside with a CAO Italia Piccolo. People didn't mind at all so looks like a better experience than anticipated. Had the Brazilia short smokes before and the Italia was just as pleasing. Got a tin off CBid for 4.00 and was well worth it. Kids had to be in the room by 9PM so put on some Nickolodian and sat outside with a Camacho Legend. As stated before, my ability to pick out particular flavors is impared but this was a nice cigar. I would say it is medium body and burned great. Smoked it real slow for about 1 1/2 while I relaxed while looking at the real estate books (damn prices are low there!)

Jan 11: No cigar in the morning, so into the wetsuit and off to see the manatees at 0730. It is only a short pontoon ride at idle speed to the reserve. First time for my son and I snorkling so not sure what to expect. Into the water and brrr the first couple minutes in a wetsuit is very cold but off we went. The key to seeing manatees is to be totally quiet and floating so me and the boy get away from the screaming kids. About 15 minutes later through murky waters I see this 1000plus pound animal swimming head on to me. It is quite frightening to tell the truth, then you realize these are gentle giants. The swim right up to you and kinda nudge you to rub their heads than roll on their backs like dogs to get their bellies rubbed. What a surrel experience. It is really stunning seeing all the propeller cuts on their backs., and we continued to see about 3 more for the next couple hours. Back on the boat to get dry clothes on and bus to the Rainbow river.

Rainbow River (Springs) is the 8th largest freshwater sping in the world. You get pontooned up river and just drift float down. The water is crystalline so you can see all the way to the bottom. It is about an hour float down spring while viewing turltes, otters and tons of fish. Very nice relaxing trip and was my sons favorite part because of the clarity of the water. Volunteered to go on the first wave so could get time at end to have a smoke. Yep, good choice as there was more than enough time to have another Picollo. Teachers come up and talk without any word of the cigar. Very nice indeed.

Final trip was to the Gulf Coast for some pizza and the sunset. Pizza was good but the La Viejo Habana Leather Patch Belicoso was even better. This was a great time for a cigar. One elderly gentleman stopped me to say he stopped smoking cigars awhile ago but still loved the smell of a good cigar. Than while watching the sunset the teachers (all female) came up and started talking cigars about how much their fathers and husbands love them. Absolutely no animosity about my smoking. I used to be really turned of by Drew Estates due the the Acid I had but the Leather Patch was really good. It was spicy to me and burned great. I enjoyed and for the price will buy more.

The day ends as the previous with putting the boys to bed and having a Gurka Nepalese Warrior. I gotta admit the first one I had of these was really kinda bland so was hoping for a better experience. Kudos for first impressions not being the whole story because this was full of flavor. Nubbed it as far as I could and as with the other Gurkas I've had these things burn great. Made me glad I have 3 more remaining.

January 12th: No smoke in the morning again, as I am not good at waking up early. Off to see the manatees and had another great adventure with these awesome creatures. Lots of face time with one that just would not leave us alone.

Back to the room and packing up the bus. Had about an hour for a Picollo because of kids misplacing cell phones, Ipods, gameboys, etc... Decided to smoke with the Best Western workers and had a great conversation their area. It is just developing into its own personality and just seems to be a nice quite area with down to earth folks.

Back home at about 8PM and find out Ted send me my sample cigar. I am not like alot of folks and can't seem to let smokes rest. Went outside to unwind an lit up. The first inch of so split for some reason but was able to smoke though it and didn't seem bad at all to me (who can complain about a free cigar?). No real opinion yet on these, would like to try another to see what I think as I really was just trying to clear my mind.

In conclusion, the trip was a truly great experience that reminded me that there are so many things to do in life other than theme parks and overcrowded tourtist traps. Also, folks just are not as anti-cigars as I thought they would be. If you ever have the chance to get down to Homosassa Springs, I would highly recommend it.

Chris

[tekeeladude-cl]

Sounds like you had a great time. Glad no one hassled you about your cigars. Thanks for sharing.

[Matrioux]

Sounds like an awesome time. Glad all went well. You got to see the Manatees as well as enjoy some fine cigars.

I never got to do crystal river, its sound like it was a good way to spend an hour, I will have to check it out when I take my girls in a few years.

[slkr4life]

Allright the photos are in and my wife is right again, that I should not be allowed anywhere near a camera. Here are a few that are pretty interesting, hope someone enjoys, I know I did:

Manatee saying hello
JR's close encounter
A good finish at the Gulf (LVH Leather hidden from Principals sight)

[SandPiper]

Man, I wish I'd known you were in town. My wife and I live only about 15 minutes from Homosassa & Crystal River. We could have met up for a stick & some not-so-crowded (and free in my boat) manatee swimming.

[slkr4life]

Arg! Going to Sebastian in Mar but looking to come back up to area for a day. Will definately PM you around then to grab a smoke!