Day 7 Arrived at Crew House

Started the morning off taking a walk to the local paddle board rental shop. Rylee and I knew we wanted to have some Beach time once we reach Ft. Lauderdale, so we rented the boards for 2 hours. We paddle through the salt water channels, admiring the gorgeous homes with docks and boats along the way.

We hear it is not Manatee season now, so we may not see any. Rylee is a ways ahead of me and I hear her shout. “Mom! A momma and a baby Manatee just swam under my paddleboard!” I quickly grab my camera and put it under water to video them floating by. The water isn’t clear enough so all you see are shadows. We get to 3 sisters. Fresh water springs. The salty green water turns to perfectly clear. Then you round a corner and the water lights up like someone had a blue pool light on at the bottom. Who cares about Manatees, Rylee and I are in heaven. We swim and relax for a while then decide its time to start the last leg of our drive. On our way back, 2 dolphins swim by! I’ve always hoped to have a dolphin encounter in the wild. But they didn’t want to visit, they were on their way somewhere. Got back to our room, packed up. Wanted to tell Joel, our host thank you for the hospitality, and for letting us check out late, but no one was there. Family must have been having lunch somewhere. We get on the road and arrive in Ft Lauderdale around 6:30. Rylee helps me set up my crew housing room. We laugh because this is so backwards. It feels like I should be helping her set her college dorm room up, not her helping me get ready for school! We head to the beach, put our feet in the warm water. Go to a bar, have a few drinks and a bite to eat. Come back relax with popcorn and a movie. Tomorrow will be a relaxing day at the beach and day drinking!