Manatee Springs State Park - Days 2 and 3

The highlight of the trip was to go to Manatee Springs National Park near Gainesville, to go Manatee Watching. We did that today.

After a not so restful, yet not so terrible night, we woke up at around 8am. Left the hotel, And had breakfast at Kike's: French toasts.

We then left for Manatee Springs State Park that was a quick 40 minute drive to the South East of Gainesville. The park is small, and gorgeous. As you walk to the spring, from the parking lot, you pass the picnic area, a playground, and you get to a crystal clear and warm fresh water spring. The springs feeds the Suwanee River.

We were very lucky and we saw and counted 9 Manatees. Nico saw them only when we gave him Mari's polarized sunglasses. It was very bright. We also saw a deer cross the road and a hawk as we walked around the spring.

We grabbed a picnic table and enjoyed some fried chicken, coleslaw, and potato salad. After lunch, we played football and soccer. We had a great time. Then we drove back to Gainesville to an unfinished furniture store called Wood You. Beautiful pieces.

Then we went to see the famous Swamp: where the Florida Gators play football. Nico loved it! He had a chance to go down to the field and play imaginary football. We ended up the tour with a drive around campus after visiting the Gator Store.

We wanted to keep going but we started to get tired and hungry, so we finish the day with pizza and a latte.

The next day we woke up late, and started driving back home mid morning after Sunday Mass.