Thursday, March 21, 2013

Kayaking around Black Island



Lovers Key State Park is located between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs, Florida. It is a haven for wildlife, and the islands and their waters are home to manatees, dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. On March 19, 2013, a group of Bay Oaks Social Seniors under the leadership of Sarah and Adam launched kayaks on the inner waterways around Black Island.
 
 
Lovers Key Visitor Center
 

Visitor Center descriptive signage
 

Visitor Center donation signage
 
 
Sarah and Adam unload the kayaks
 
 
Everyone dons life vests.
 
 
Lee, Merry Jo and Paula
 
 
Paul helps Gail with her life vest.
 
 
Merry Jo is ready to go.
 
 
Margie and Rachel
 
 
Norm, Mirtala and Kathleen
 
 
Jeanne is helping with the oars.
 

Adam and Sarak getting a kayak ready to dock.
 
 
Jeanne and Rachel on the water
 
 
 
Lee and Paula ready to paddle
 
 
Adam is also a lifeguard, just in case.
 
 
Kayaks are underway.
 
 
Sarah is our leader.
 
 
Mirtala & Norm, Margie & Kathleen
 
 
Paddling down the waterway
 


Kayaks all in a row
 
 
 
 Approaching a bridge  on Estero Boulevard

 
Almost past the bridge
 
 
Under the bridge, with condos in the distance


Mirtala and Norm

 
 
 Gail and Paul

 
Sarah decides it's time to turn back


 
Margie and Patricia nearing the docking place


Adam & Patricia hauling a kayak


Paul and Gail dock.



Gail can handle the kayak all by herself.


We wish we had seen a manatee, but it didn't happen today.

 
 Fortunately, we didn't see any alligators, either.
 
 
Norm and Mirtala
 
 
 
Securing the kayaks

 
After kayaking, some Seniors picknicked in Lovers Key park, some picknicked beachside near Flipper's, and some had lunch at Flipper's.
 
 
The Flipper's lunch bunch, after a morning of kayaking