The HoneyMoon Trip - Alone at Last



5st Leg - 9 July: Off to Florida's famous crystal river, and to meet the Manatee boat Penny had booked for us. Again, with a delay due to our beloved van having a big oil leak the morning we wanted to leave, so the guys got to do the 'get filthy male bonding thing' over an open hood as Penny called it, while we took off to stroll some more malls and such, and hunt out oak galls. They fixed it allright, but I was beginning to think we would be terminally late on everything we tried and couldn't quite find my peace and balance, feeling more stressed and rushed as I should have. But, as I said, they fixed it, and we made it, and that's all that counts.



Of course, we didn't get lost this time either. We simply overlooked the marina/scuba school and passed it by, turned back around, didn't see it again, and finally arrived at the scuba school half an hour after the boat's scheduled departure. Only to see several other groups sheepishly climbing out of various vehicles. Appeared eveyrone booked on this tour was late, bless them.



We tuckered out to hunt for the gentle giants, and after about half an hour, actually found one.



I felt like a manatee myself, decked out in wet suit and gear for the first time in my life. No, there are no pictures, more's the pity, we plumb forgot. Anyway, there wasn't much fun to be had with this one, three other boats closed in and we finally admitted defeat. On the way back, our captain said 'if you see them, lemme know, and we'll go for another stop and swim'. See's them I did (not 'them', but the round circle they make on the water), and I was in the water before the captain had made it to the back of the boat after stopping the engine. Why he didn't follow me I don't know, but the group took off in a different direction. When I was near the location I thought I had spotted some water movement, three huge manatees suddenly bodyslammed me, speeding up from behind, and sandwiching me between them. One on each side, and one came rolling up underneath me, pushing his body underneath mine. I could feel more in the murky shadoes.

I paddled frantically to keep up with them, after mentally stuffing my heart back down my throat where it belonged, and the speed of their wake swept me along easily enough. One of them was ticklish, and whacked me a real good one with his huge tail when I attempted to administer the suggested 'scratch under fin' mammal-love... when I came to, another one had snuck up underneath me, turned, and looked at me, belly to belly.

THIS one did want to play, and oooh, did he enjoy the scratching. Blissfully turning around and around I was hardpressed not to grab hold and just be carried along, but unlike dolphin fins, their 'arms' are equipped with quite sharp nails, and after the first encounter I considered caution to be the better virtue. My little one was happy enough to stay with me, while we swam with the group. It's mother (I assume) had slowed her speed to match my limited capacities and remained at my left side. The first three finally got the message and circled around. Who said manatees are loners? This surely did not 'feel' like it at all, and from their various sizes and 'feels' I was quite sure I had been squeezed into a family unit. What do scientists know, after all?



About this time I remembered I had a better half paddling about somewhere in the water, ignorantly following the cap'n and the rest of the group into the wrong direction, and as hard as it was to give them up (I knew more people would make them uncomfortable) I took a minute to surface and holler for my hunny, reporting I had five of them. Which, of course, as expected brought the whole avalanche down on them, and they departed in a whirlpool of speed shortly afterwards. But at least Jamie got to me first, so the sacrifice was worth it. My little one, beautiful with it's reddish colorings, remained with me the longest, then had to hurry off to catch up.

We were quiet and whistful on the ride back, after the euphoria had worn off. I remember how I felt after swimming with the dolphins, I cried and cried because the sensation was so intense, the high so strong, charged with energy, and laughter. These animals left a different feeling in my heart, one of tranquility, and gentle calm. The tear that threatened to fall was for remembering that every single one of them, even my little red, had their soft bodies marred by deep scars, wide gashes of newly grown white skin, and slashes that makes one wonder how they survive at all.



When I asked our skipper, he explained that they can indeed hear the boats coming, but underwater they cannot determine which direction they are coming from, and as often as not instead of getting away, remain until the propellers are over them. All the lakes and rivers that are known to have manatees have a 'no wake' rule, and fines are heavy.

Yet they get hurt, time and time again. Are we so busy, that even if priviledged enough to have a boat, or rent them, we can't take the extra time it takes to totter along slowly while we are in their territory? After all it is US who is intruding. WE brought them here (they are native to India if I remember correctly, not to America, they were imported to do the ocean/algae cleanup for us) and this is how we reward them....



We drove on to Daytona beach carrying something of their peaceful minds with them. For the first time, I finally relaxed. Of course, I HAD to show him daytona beach, and we had a quick dip. Then discovered that the world famous ronjon surfshop of cocoa beach happend to be ALMOST en route back to Titusville, where we wanted to spend a few days at the Cape Canaveral National Sea Shores (hint hint, 48 miles of gorgious beach, most of it nude area, teehee). Stopping to shop was a must, since Jamie really did need beachwear (I just bought a few things here and there for myself, just so I didn't feel left out).

Titusville send us Motel shopping, and we found a lovely thing called the RIVERFRONT right by the bay. We had stopped to inquire, when I wandered off to the water and to my surprise saw about 20 manatees right beneath me at the wall, feeding on top layer seeweed. It didn't matter much that the Motel was a bit rundown after that. It was spotlessly clean, blessedly cheap, had a huge room, and MANATEES, for crying out loud :)

We had quite a good time, just strolling around, enjoying the beaches (yes, despite all arguments to the contrary, I talked DH into 'blending in' at the nude beach :)

And yes, there is a photo, but I promised, and I would rather like to STAY married for a little while:)

The state park was lovely as always, and all we had to do is pass all the controlled beaches, park at the last one (pier 13),



and walk a little along the shore to find paradise. It was a bit ankward at first, having nude fisherfolk hopping about, but the first one who reeled in a baby shark had us all squealing and gathering around, flopping and swinging every which way, examining the catch. After that, we felt like (bare) pros :)



There was only one thing marring our bliss. We were spoiled by the smooth climate of clearwater. Comparatively the atlantic is violent. And it is cold. As much as we enjoyed the area, and the freedom of it, we longed for the gulf, so after 6 days we packed up and surprised Penny with a phonecall that we were back in town for the last few days.

I insisted of going out with a bang, so we got us an incredibly lovely apartment in a small motel complex right on clearwater beach (the below view is onto the patio from one of the rooms).

Open the door and presto, ocean and sand. It was so perfect we both cried when we said good bye, but at least we got to meet Victoria, who came hightailing it down from Orlando when she heard we were back, and while short (it was scorchingly hot, and by the time we realized the baby couldn't handle the heat, we were all covered in sand. Unfortunately, the one policy the motel does have is no visitors who are not squeaky clean are allowed INside the rooms), we had a good time. I even got to hold a baby, imagine that. Althought the 'mommie' thing didn't go over so well with the little one, as I stuck him under the shower to get the sand off his poor little butt, he took offense and whailed quite healthily. The water wasn't cold, I SWEAR! To her defense I must say Vic took it with humor, and wasn't at all mad at me. Cute kid though, I was sad having to hand him back over. Jamie gave me one of 'those' looks, Penny just grinned and snapped the camera. Mebbe I could get Vicki to make me one of these???



We took the next day to explore clearwater a little, and booked a lovely little harbor lunch cruise:



but despite all the other lovely offers (the romantic dinner sailing cruise was very very tempting) we wanted to stay at the beach and get a little peace and quiet for the last few days.



I loved the apartment setting. Full kitchen, we finally just stocked up on food and loaded up on bagles and salads. NOW I felt completely at home, and at peace. NOW I needed a few more weeks of this. Now it was over. They let us hang around for a few hours after checkout, and of course we ended up going swimming again. The gulf just kept calling, and what is a long trip slightly sticky compared to the warm hug of Momma? We just stood deep in the crystal clear and smooth as a mirror waters, hugging, gazing out to the horizon, each quietly savoring the feel and the presence of the other, for the last time in who knows how long....

I won't go into the short trip to the airport, or into saying goodbye. That is for us alone. But getting on that plane was the hardest thing I ever had to do. It wasn't until after I arrived back home that I realized that I had no more panic attacks due to flying, takeoff and landing, even changing the plane had no impact whatsoever. Strange? Or having found home bringing new strength, a new link, a new security.... I'll never know. But to say it in the words of that (whoozit whatzisname) famous author: I will return.



And that was the whole adventure. The rest is happily ever after, we presume :)

Of course, to complete the tour, you have to look at the wedding shower our listfriends sneakily arranged:



The Shower (read: The Gifts :)