eth scheduled us for snorkeling the morning of our second day in Key Largo at the Pennekamp State Park, but we had to be there by 8:15 AM which meant we had to awaken and dress early enough to get in on the free breakfast served at the Hampton Inn. We managed to accomplish this and got to the park and checked in by the correct time. Mary Anne opted to just hang out in the boat and Tom opted to just snorkel in his suit and goggles (when you have feet as big as his there is no need for flippers), but the rest of us rented masks, fins and snorkels.
We boarded our boat, the name of which I have forgotten, with our cutie-patootie Captain and first mate. They passed out life preservers that are required when in the water and off we went. The day was sunny and hot, the water warm and a little choppy. They took us out about 3 miles into the Atlantic to a coral reef called the Grecian Rock, a shallow reef about 1/2 mile long. The boat was docked and we were able to swim around the boat and out to the reef which was some distance away.
The view under the water was amazing. We saw quite a few different species of colorful fish, and if Darcy's underwater camera photos turn out, I shall post them. If I lived in this area of Florida and snorkeled every week I would certainly invest in a pricey digital underwater camera because the view is incredible. We saw barracuda, a very large lobster hiding in the reef, plenty of angel fish of various colors and size, and all sorts of fish that I hadn't a clue about.
Madison and I had been snorkeling in the Keys two years ago, but this was Darcy's first experience. She took the small class offered on board our boat and was very apprehensive when the first mate mentioned sting rays. She spent the first fifteen minutes worried a ray would swim out of the ocean and sting her multiple times and so we had to swim side by side holding hands until she realized the beauty of what was below her and promptly let go of my hand and took off on her own.
We were out in the water about an hour and a half. The reef is only about 2 to 5 feet deep and so we had to be really careful not to stand or brush up against the coral and damage it. Because the water was so choppy and the current against us it took quite awhile to get to the end of the reef, but the trip back to the boat was a breeze.
Once more on the boat we were allowed to get up and move around. There was an upper deck that offered a terrific view of the ocean.
and of those below us...
We were also able to walk out to the front of the boat, but that proved a tad scary for Darcy who attempted it and for myself who opted out. The trip back was very peaceful and beautiful and much cooler than the ride out to the reef as this time we were wet.
We spent some time wandering around the park and watched a movie on different species of fish that we should have watched before going out snorkeling. By the time we got back to our hotel after lunch the adults were a tad tired. Mary Anne lounged by the pool, Tom and I napped, and Beth was left with the children, none of whom were tired. She ended up back at the park where they spent a few more hours swimming and snorkeling at the small beach.
A very nice second day of vacation.
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