With the fun, work, and chaos of the symposium behind us we loaded a trailer full of boats and drove an hour or so north for a relaxing day of paddling on the Weeki Wachee river. The Weeki Wachee is well known for its crystal clear water and abundant winter manatee population. Of the eight of us on the river only one, Jen Kleck, had not seen a Manatee before. This being the last opportunity on this trip for Jen to see these gentle giants we all hoped that we’d see at least one.
The boats were off the trailer and on the water in short order and only a few minutes of paddling put us over a deep spot in the river. There, through crystal clear water alive with schooling Yellow Tail Jacks, we counted at least a half dozen different manatee. Some lazed nearly motionless just a few feet below the surface while others came up for a breath every couple of minutes. Several of the more active animals even threw their tails in the air, much like whales throwing their flukes, as they dove for the bottom.
Jen Kleck eyes a passing manatee
From that pool we continued lazily up the river a couple miles stopping along the way for lunch and to stretch our legs. Along the way we saw at least a half dozen more manatee. Two (seemingly a mother and calf) were sleeping in a sunny quiet spot on the inside of a bend of the river while others swam with the current like torpedoes as though they had an appointment to make downstream. We were well shy of the top of the river when we decided we’d better turn back in order to get Jen to the airport in time to catch her flight. So we turned ourselves around and enjoyed an effortless float back to our cars.
It has been 88 days since I last paddled the Wisconsin River which is now open here in Portage. I know this exact count of days because I was able to paddle with Jake on his first day out of Portage. So I took advantage of a paid holiday from my job and did some paddling of my own. We still have thick ice sheets along the banks of the river but putting in and taking out were really no problem. With the air temperature and the water temperature both well below a safe combined total I again wore my wet suit under a top layer of clothing. The waterfowl have begun migrating and an eagle was perched, waiting on a fish I suppose. The sun was out and it is a glorious late winter day so again today much like 88 days ago I will be paddling early and downhill skiing later. Actually I am off to Cascade Mountain right now!
Thanks Jake for these great glimpses and connections to wonderful people and interesting places.
Paddle On!
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JanKleck
3/3/2010 01:34:52 am
WOW! Beauty, good friends, good weather, one more experience! Paddle on!
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Charlotte Key
3/3/2010 07:35:48 am
Glad yall got to paddle at least the lower part of the Weeki Wachee... Unfortunately, you have no idea how much prettier the top half is.. At least 20 times prettier. One of the most beautiful clear blue spring runs in Florida, one of the 6 or 7 clear blue spring run reasons (in our area) that I moved to central Florida.. for the top half of the WW... Maybe next trip to Florida you can really see the WW at its finest! When you paddle with close friends, though, it is ALL good!!!!! Keep your paddle wet and your hair dry. Charlotte
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Alicia
3/3/2010 07:57:45 am
Hi Jake:
Have another recipe for you !! - special muffens, so when you get back to San Diego, I'll make sure to send you off with a large goodie care package !!
Cant wait to get that Kiss you owe me, not Mike for the security mesh locking cases for your gear !!! Looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your trip.
Hugs, Alicia
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pa
3/3/2010 09:36:58 am
Hi Jake, For the second time on your trip I'm jealous. Iwould love to paddle around or with those manatees.Glad to hear Jen got her chance.Caught one 28 inch northern thru the ice today; beautiful day about 44 degrees. Ice will be going out soon if this weather continues. Love ya , Dad
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Kieron
3/9/2010 07:51:40 pm
Hi Jake
Thanks for a brilliant time, those Manatee`s are some thing else.