Manatees & Mermaids Trip

Manatees & Mermaids Trip

Jan 15-18, 2009

Come discover Manatees and Mermaids in a laid back area in Florida that tourists have forgotten about since the building of the Disney World in Orlando. We will be staying at the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa located on Crystal River. There is a short 9 hole and a championship 18 hole course on the property.

The West Indian Manatee were thought to be mermaids by early voyagers to the new world (the voyages were very, very long). The manatee’s closest relatives are elephants and aardvarks and adults can range in size from 10’ to 13’ and 1000 lbs to 3000 lbs. Once numerous throughout the Bahamas, Florida and Eastern Central America, human expansion into the manatee’s habitat has caused a decline in their numbers to the point where they are an endangered species. In the cold winter months manatee migrate into the warmer fresh water rivers of Florida. Crystal River is one such river.

Join scuba instructors Nikki and Bob Weaver, of Leisure Time Dive & Ski, for a relaxing, fun, and educational long weekend and snorkel with, and learn about these, gentle giants. This is a self drive/car pool trip.

We will check into the beautiful Plantation Inn on Friday evening. Sat & Sun Morning we will rent pontoon boats and get up close and personal snorkeling with these magnificent animals. On Sat afternoon we will visit Homosassa Springs Park where we will see a feeding show and view rescued manatee to learn of their plight. There is a special underwater viewing platform there. On Sun afternoon we will visit Weeki Wachee, one of central Florida’s original attractions where beautiful mermaids will perform in an underwater show (no snorkeling with or touching these mermaids). On Monday we have arranged a drift snorkel down the Rainbow River where the water is crystal clear and ranges from 3’ to 25’ deep. We will be taken upstream by boat and drift back to the park. The water is pristine and the fish and other wildlife are plentiful and amazing. The water temp will be a balmy 70 degrees, cool enough to need a wetsuit for all 3 days in the water. Air temps can vary from 45 to 70 degrees so bring jackets and sweatshirts.

Trip price is $329 dbl., $279 triple, $254 quad. Rooms are 1 king or 2 double beds

Rollaway beds $15/night

Wetsuit Rental: $25, Snorkel Gear Rental $30

Golf at Plantation Inn: 18 hole Championship course $50 ($35 after 2pm),

9 hole Lagoon (short) Course $17

The pre-trip party and snorkel lesson dates will be announced

Contact Carol Guthrie

(H) 706-937-6619

cdfb@allstate.com

Manatees & Mermaids Trip Jan 15-18, 2009

Come discover Manatees and Mermaids in a laid back area in Florida that tourists have forgotten about since the building of the Disney World in Orlando. We will be staying at the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa located on Crystal River. There is a short 9 hole and a championship 18 hole course on the property. The West Indian Manatee were thought to be mermaids by early voyagers to the new world (the voyages were very, very long). The manatee’s closest relatives are elephants and aardvarks and adults can range in size from 10’ to 13’ and 1000 lbs to 3000 lbs. Once numerous throughout the Bahamas, Florida and Eastern Central America, human expansion into the manatee’s habitat has caused a decline in their numbers to the point where they are an endangered species. In the cold winter months manatee migrate into the warmer fresh water rivers of Florida. Crystal River is one such river. Join scuba instructors Nikki and Bob Weaver, of Leisure Time Dive & Ski, for a relaxing, fun, and educational long weekend and snorkel with, and learn about these, gentle giants. This is a self drive/car pool trip. We will check into the beautiful Plantation Inn on Friday evening. Sat & Sun Morning we will rent pontoon boats and get up close and personal snorkeling with these magnificent animals. On Sat afternoon we will visit Homosassa Springs Park where we will see a feeding show and view rescued manatee to learn of their plight. There is a special underwater viewing platform there. On Sun afternoon we will visit Weeki Wachee, one of central Florida’s original attractions where beautiful mermaids will perform in an underwater show (no snorkeling with or touching these mermaids). On Monday we have arranged a drift snorkel down the Rainbow River where the water is crystal clear and ranges from 3’ to 25’ deep. We will be taken upstream by boat and drift back to the park. The water is pristine and the fish and other wildlife are plentiful and amazing. The water temp will be a balmy 70 degrees, cool enough to need a wetsuit for all 3 days in the water. Air temps can vary from 45 to 70 degrees so bring jackets and sweatshirts.
Trip price is $329 dbl., $279 triple, $254 quad. Rooms are 1 king or 2 double beds Rollaway beds $15/night Wetsuit Rental: $25, Snorkel Gear Rental $30 Golf at Plantation Inn: 18 hole Championship course $50 ($35 after 2pm), 9 hole Lagoon (short) Course $17 The pre-trip party and snorkel lesson dates will be announced
Contact Carol Guthrie (H) 706-937-6619 cdfb@allstate.com