A very cool experience

We had a great dinner with Cousin Ron and Aunt Marie, and it was wonderful to see them! They're just as crazy and fun as ever, and it was so much fun to get caught up. I was having such a good time talking with them that I totally forgot to get a picture with them, and I'm just kicking myself!

After we left the restaurant, we stopped by the little cove where we always go to watch the manatees (and sometimes dolphins). Cousin Ron has been coming to New Smyrna Beach for years, and he never knew about this little cove. (The lady who sold us the timeshare told us about it.) When we got there, we saw the manatees right away, but what was really cool was that a woman renting the condo across the road was giving them fresh water. Apparently they love fresh water, so they came right up to the pier to get a drink! The woman invited us down onto the pier, and Ken, Ron, and I went down there. We were able to reach down and touch their noses! I can now say that I have touched a manatee. Ron said, "In all my years down here, I've never gotten to touch a manatee." Pretty neat, eh?

Here are a couple of pictures--Ken is pouring water in their mouths. They rolled over on their backs and just drank it up. Manatees are a case of beauty is in the eye of the beholder...they aren't all that cute at first glance, but they are incredibly gentle, sweet creatures. Look at the eyelashes in the one picture! It was really a neat experience, and I'm glad we stopped when we did. We'll go back on Friday, but I don't know if that woman will be there with her fresh water. Thank you, kind lady, for giving us a great experience!

Oh, and for further commentary and pictures from our vegecation, be sure to visit Ken's blog, Bucko's World.