WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 30TH

Ross dropped our daughter, Krista, and me off at the airport in Minneapolis for our flight to Tampa. Thanks to the Christmas Day “underwear bomber” we had to be there extra early due to increased security screening. The flight went fine and the warm sunshine and lush green colors of Tampa were a treat to the senses after the snow and cold of Minnesota. We rented a car and with me driving and Krista navigating with her handheld GPS we headed north to Crystal River. Crystal River is north of Tampa about 60 miles. The river is fed by numerous hot springs which attract manatees in the cold winter months. Those manatees are the reason Crystal River is our destination. Early tomorrow morning we will don wetsuits and snorkels to search for manatees near one of the hot springs.