Please stay on the Sober bus - pt.19
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 539
I hope the sober bus has its muffler in good order. We are going to a lesser known Key...called No Name Key...sshhhhhh...we are parking and quietly hunting for the endangered Key Deer. They are about half the size of normal deer. I think the population is around 800? Oh Look! I found one. (this is a photo I took last year)
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 539
No FEEDING THE DEER! That is a huge no no people. I know they are cute. Back on the bus nature lovers...You know this is a true Lizajane photo because it is blurry. Let's pretend it is because we were driving by? Do you want to go in? They do amazing work here.
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 539
This is one of the rescued sea turtles. What are those round things on his back? Those are weights to help this little guy with his buoyancy. Collision with watercraft can damage their air sacs I believe and leave them unable to swim properly. This guy is little but some can grow enormous! Leatherbacks commonly grow over 1000 pounds. I think the largest one found was over 2000 pounds. If I saw that diving I would be a little nervous.
Lj,
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Join Date: May 2018
Location: Where I’ve longed to be all my life…..here, now.
Posts: 7,345
Originally Posted by STDragon 
Morning all, forgot to set my alarm last night. That happens less frequently these days, but it still happens. The smell of CK's coffee woke me up!
Sober bus is rolling thru your neighbourhood, don't miss the bus!
Off to the Florida Keys today. Where shall we go first?
Sober bus is rolling thru your neighbourhood, don't miss the bus!
Off to the Florida Keys today. Where shall we go first?
Thanks dragon !!
I’ve never been.
I’ll go anywhere. Need a private nurse for you and Mrs dragon?
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Join Date: May 2018
Location: Where I’ve longed to be all my life…..here, now.
Posts: 7,345
Originally Posted by Lizajane
This is one of the rescued sea turtles. What are those round things on his back? Those are weights to help this little guy with his buoyancy. Collision with watercraft can damage their air sacs I believe and leave them unable to swim properly. This guy is little but some can grow enormous! Leatherbacks commonly grow over 1000 pounds. I think the largest one found was over 2000 pounds. If I saw that diving I would be a little nervous.
I had the opportunity to snorkel with them in Akumel, Mexico in April. It was wonderful. Meeting the giant barracuda face to face wasn’t so wonderful 😬
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 539
By now everyone is hot and dripping with sweat. This is June in the Keys people and heat and humidity go with the program. Since we are over the bridge, let's head to Bahia Honda State Park. The Keys are not famous for sandy beaches, they are more famous for the beauty beyond the shore, but I know most of the public sandy spots available! This one is a gem that is still recovering from the hurricane. You can swim on the beach on the Atlantic or Gulf side! The winds will determine which side is calmer and you get to choose the type of chop you like to for swimming. You can rent snorkel equipment and do some shallow diving if you like with a flag. I don't dive here, but it is a good place for training. Cool off and then I have an excellent place to have lunch. BEST fish sandwich in the world.
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 539
Back on the bus for lunch. We are going over that amazing bridge to the Upper Keys. Islamorada Fish Company. I suggest you not get distracted by the amazing menu offerings...skip on down to the World Famous Fish Sandwich. You will not be disappointed. 
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 539
We are NOT just here for the food! Look over the rails while we wait for our table. YES the peaceful sea cow! I love manatees. This is the Gulf Side, please be patient and get a table overlooking the ocean. A great place to eat at sunset too.
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 539
Trachemy....it is my heaven.
Divers and Snorkelers we are headed to the reefs off of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. I have a couple of really good dive companies that will give us a great group deal. I booked ahead! Thank you for indulging me PEEPS. I will be diving now for at least 4 hours. In reality, off to the gym. Enjoy your day.
Divers and Snorkelers we are headed to the reefs off of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. I have a couple of really good dive companies that will give us a great group deal. I booked ahead! Thank you for indulging me PEEPS. I will be diving now for at least 4 hours. In reality, off to the gym. Enjoy your day.
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 28,690
0615 HERE, Wed.
LJ that was a wonderful wake up tour...I think you will be at the front of the bus holding the tour microphone-.
One happy mem of marriage was honeymoon on South New Zealand, an age ago. In winter, 30y ago- at the bottom end..quite remote. We thought we were the only ones there (Milford Sound- enough pics on web- mile high cliffs, mile deep crystal water) and all of a sudden- 2 very large buses- full of American older tourists turns up- all wearing the same track suits arrives..all extremely friendly (and loud) all wearing huge buttons that read 'the friendly force'.
They gave their tour guide a 'little' present....a 4 foot long replica of a Maori war canoe. The guy was chuffed at the intent- with a look of bewilderment as to where he would put the very large gift. I think those folks must've been from Texas (that myth about everything being bigger).
LJ that was a wonderful wake up tour...I think you will be at the front of the bus holding the tour microphone-.
One happy mem of marriage was honeymoon on South New Zealand, an age ago. In winter, 30y ago- at the bottom end..quite remote. We thought we were the only ones there (Milford Sound- enough pics on web- mile high cliffs, mile deep crystal water) and all of a sudden- 2 very large buses- full of American older tourists turns up- all wearing the same track suits arrives..all extremely friendly (and loud) all wearing huge buttons that read 'the friendly force'.
They gave their tour guide a 'little' present....a 4 foot long replica of a Maori war canoe. The guy was chuffed at the intent- with a look of bewilderment as to where he would put the very large gift. I think those folks must've been from Texas (that myth about everything being bigger).
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