Crystal River, Florida 2016

This Crystal River trip has quickly become a yearly tradition. We love going out on a cold winter morning and renting a pontoon boat to search for Manatees. Ever year we bring a new group of people and it is always a blast. This year our niece and nephews came along for the ride and it was extra special to see their enjoyment. We bundle up on the boat with Hot Coco and warm blankets. Then jump in the 72 degree water to swim with these water cows. 

See ya again next year!

Past Crystal River Trips: 2014, 2015

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

For Christmas we got tickets to Universal and Islands of Adventure. One of the best gifts ever! Blake and I had been wanting to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter since it opened 5 years ago. However, I am glad we waited for the extension of the Hogwarts Express and Diagon Alley. All I can say is that they did an amazing job. I loved everything about our visit. I even loved the butter bear, which I was certain I would not be a fan of. 
The best part about our trip (back in March) was NO LINES! Nothing was more than a 5 minute wait. We road the Hogwarts Express twice, took our time walking around and enjoying street scenes, had front row seats on all the roller coaster in both parks, and were still out of there and back home to our baby by 5 pm. Just another reason we love living in Florida is the ability to visit empty theme parks with perfect weather. 
For my unlucky friends that do not live in Florida, here is a good crowd calender to help you plan your trip. 

Crystal River, Florida

Some random lady that came up while I was taking pictures

This year will be known as the year on the manatees. Having had our fare share of manatee encounters, here, here and here. We thought our previous trips were pretty successful. But it was nothing compared to the Crystal River trip we took over Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks. Plus on Martin Luther King break, Blake went camping at manatee springs and saw some more. Yes, we took three trips (two to crystal river and one to manatee springs) this winter with friends and family, all were splendid. Seeing more manatees than we could count and swimming up close and personal with a few good looking ones. It is natural to be afraid of something so big in the water. Once I was swimming in a murky part of the river when I could not see but felt one swimming under me, I was terrified!!! Even though I knew it was not going to hurt me, I wanted back on the boat. However in the clear water, when the manatees seem to be as interested in you as you are in them, these big water mammals are fun cuddly creatures. Getting up close and personal with nature and wild life is amazing. I love going on these trips, and look forward to many more.

Labor Day on Silver Springs

 

 

 

 

 

It was so nice having Jari down for labor day weekend. Thanks to her we decided to get out and do something other than chores. As labor day normally indicates the end of summer for the rest of the country, we here in Florida still have a few more months of crazy hot "summer" days left. So our goal was to get Jari out for her last "day on the water" for the year. 

We chose Silver Springs with the hopes of spotting some monkeys as we canoed the river. We saw alligators, fish, birds, and other usual critters. Then on the home stretch back to the dock mom saw some movement up in the trees, and we finally found monkeys! I'm telling ya, we seem to have some good luck when going out to see some Florida wildlife. 

So if your looking for a peaceful little excursion I would highly recommend a day on Sliver Springs.