The Keys- part 1 - Key Largo

After leaving beautiful Ft Myers beach, we headed for the Keys but first we stopped in Naples to our Jim, our diesel truck specialist to have one last look at War and he gave us the all clear to head to the keys! Hurray!  

After a couple of stops at Walmart outside Miami, we trucked down to the glorious John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park, the only park in the US that is 90% underwater. The campsite was gorgeous 

and the three of us went on a bottomless boat tour of the coral reef. We saw see turtles, barracudas, parrotfish and tons of other sea life until G threw her container of Goldfish (the crackers) into the glass where everyone was looking. 

Tim and Georgia enjoying a swim

Georgia exploring a replica recovered Spanish cannon

Karen was in her element, loving the fish and wildlife. 

Karen and Georgia had an exciting morning while Tim grocery shopped and packed up the camper.  We spotted a soft-shell turtle in the water behind our campsite.  Then, walked with Georgia on Karen's shoulders to Pennycamp's aquarium where Georgia ran around screaming with excitement.  After that it was off to the playground where Karen had to scare off an iguana, thinking it was a croc from the distance.  

After that we went for a swim at our favourite calm and sandy beach.  The excitement increased while both of us were in the water, Karen heard a sound like the exhale from a blow-hole of a whale.  After a couple of times, Karen started to search the water.  Then, she saw something black and long with a couple of nostrils.  With crocodiles fresh on the mind, Karen hopped out and looked at the water from the viewing platform.  She saw it again and called the park rangers.  She spotted it yet again and warned a mother and child going into the water.  Then, several mothers came over to the platform to see.  After much debate as to what the 6-7 foot swimmer was, we determined it was a manatee and we were very relieved.