Kayak adventure: Blue Springs

We took the kayaks down to Deltona and paddled to Blue Springs from a lunch just north of the park.

We didn't see Manatees from the kayaks but we brought the kayaks into the Blue Springs launch and got to see them from the boardwalk.  There were also 2 large gators on the opposite shore of the springs.  We've gone at least 5 times and never seen gators in the spring.

It was a good trip.  The trailer worked well and we had fun together.

After we left the park we paddled to the green area in this picture across from the launch.  Back in this area we saw some gators on the shore and heard their loud mating/territory calls.  We were quite frightened and paddled back out.  M and B were brave and got wet in enough to be fully wet.
 

Starfish at the beach!

 

M wanted to go to the beach and we scheduled to go on Thursday.  We happened upon starfish for the first time here in town.  It was fun!

Great day!

 M and B had  a recital in the morning and we were hoping to do an outing to Washington Oaks and a playground.  We wound up going to Washington Oaks, then going to 5 playgrounds in Palm Coast and having Publix chicken tenders for dinner.  It was a great day.

The gardens were so beautiful.  The day was crisp so the contrast of temperature in sun and shade was dramatic.  We enjoyed walking the trails and seeing familiar and new plants.  lP has requested an Octopus tree for our forever home.

The parks were large and small and all the children ran and played.  I'm glad G and M can still enjoy climbing and spinning.  L made a friend at the last playground and was invited to a birthday party next week.  It's not further than we have traveled for other birthdays and it's been forever since L got to go to a birthday party.  So it may be that we go to the party even though it was such a brief acquaintance.

Harris Hawk

 Our neighbor rehabilitates hawks.  We went by today and he let everyone take turns holding her.

youth dance

 G and M went to their first stake dance on Saturday.  We gave a ride to another youth and the kids rode home with that family.  I'm glad they went.  They seemed to have a good time.