Weeki Wachee State Park

The morning was cold (which is good for manatees being close to land) but windy.   After waiting for the boat captain to determine whether a boat ride was feasible in the high winds (gusts up to 35 mph), Paul and I decided to rebook for tomorrow morning.  Why wait until everyone is trying to rebook when we know they should not try to drive a boat never mind anchoring in these conditions.

Plan B - Weeki Wachee State Park and the mermaids! 


 
                                        So cold and windy.  Thankfully we had coats in the car!


                                    Charlie and his mate have 2 babies.  This nest is only 2 years 
                                    old after a hurricane destroyed their old one.  (Largest nest 
                                    recorded in Florida - 4000 lbs!)

                                        Tricolor heron (not blue like I've been calling them!)

                                    Pretty limestone coloring the water beautifully.
The park offers a boat ride down the river every half hour.  The guides are very knowledgeable and the captain very skilled.  Multiple kayakers (beginners I imagine!) could not figure out how to paddle closer to the shore and avoid the very large boat coming downstream.  Our captain was quick to reverse to prevent a collision more than once.  Maybe kayakers should have their own lane!

And the reason for choosing this park - Mermaids!  The mermaid show began in 1947 and quickly became a tourist destination and Hollywood movie background.  They ate bananas and drank soda under water!

 Check out the full story:     https://gardenandgun.com/articles/dip-southern-mermaid-history/

The show was well attended by many adults and children and the kids were mesmerized (and quiet!).   The show is based on Hans Christian Anderson's mermaid tale.  Well done. 
                                            Ariel and her 2 sisters

                                                                        Eric and Ariel

                                                    Ursula
 
The park also had a forest ranger show with the guests stars - turtles, an alligator and a snake.  Full of fun facts delivered in an engaging manner with humor.  Well done.

Dinner was over in the Suncoast Keys - Peck's Old Port Cove.  Well worth another visit (I had been here with the kids back in 2018).  Yummy food, great service and a view!



The road to the restaurant had 45 turns in 9.2 miles.  And despite our best attempts we could not find Swamp Man - the mythical man Scott had sworn lives in the area.

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