This is my favorite time of year in Florida, when the sun is shining but it’s still breezy enough for a trip to the beach or a walk around the parks without feeling like you’ll die of heat exhaustion.
This past weekend it was my birthday, so my family and I decided to go on a little trip to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. I love this particular park because you can see and learn a lot without all the hustle and bustle of the bigger theme parks. The walkways are set up beautifully and I can stop to take photographs, while Meg runs back and forth between her daddy and I, without the fear of losing her to a crowd.
I think this Homosassa park is one of Florida’s many hidden gems! Their educational programs include a 53-year-old hippopotamus named Lu, a manatee viewing center, alligators and some close up encounters with their reptiles. They also recently added a shore bird aviary exhibit equipt with a nicely sized viewing area. Between the beautiful weather, being with my family, and having my camera in tow it was the perfect way to spend my birthday.
Two weeks ago we took Meggers to see Dolphin Tale, a movie about the discovery of a young dolphin caught in the ropes of a crab trap which would eventually lead to the loss of her tail and her incredible journey of learning to live without it. Although some of the story was dramatized for Hollywood, it is mostly based on a true story and one that resided very close to where we call home.
Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman, and the kids Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff will keep you captivated throughout the movie and you’ll soon find you have a special place in your heart for Winter and the people who work at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
My husband and I both found ourselves choked up at how Winter’s journey has inspired and connected with so many amputees and children with various disabilities. I think we both silently related our own daughter’s struggle with epilepsy to the story and found it to be a heart warming tale of compassion and strength.
If you haven’t seen it we would definitely recommend it!
So my music pic for today is Safe by Westlife!
Meg decided we should visit Winter the dolphin, so this past weekend took a drive down to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and we were quite excited to see the place packed with people. We arrived just in time to see… well for Meghan to get on her daddy’s shoulders and see Winter and Panama’s show.
Winter happily displayed her tail and was playful with her trainers.
If you plan on visiting don’t worry if the show is packed out there’s plenty of time to get up close and personal with Winter, Panama, Hope Nicholas and all of the residents at Clearwater Marine Aquarium!
The trainer in these photo’s is called Cami and she was really sweet. We told her how Meg had brought little Mrs. Scorcher, her class pet, with her and asked if she would take our camera and little Mrs. Scorcher to get a photo for us.
She did one better… she let Meg come over and get a picture with her and Panama.
She also let little Mrs. Scorcher wear Winter’s actual prosthetic tail.
If that wasn’t enough to make Meg smile from ear to ear, Cami shared a little secret with Meg…
She told her if she went over to visit Hope in her tank and held up little Mrs. Scorcher in the window, she would come see her as she loves to look at things.
She was right…
Hope was curious and Meg was beyond excited to see her up close and personal.
We had such a fun day!
We decided to see if Winter might like to see Mrs. Scorcher too!
It was kind of funny really…
Here we think Winter catches sight of Mrs. Scorcher.
she seems to roll over to take a better look!
and then nonchalantly drifts over…
closer…
… and closer
… till she was hanging out right in front of us!
We really enjoyed our visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), they really do some great work over there.
A big thank you to the trainer Cami and an intern named Dana for taking the time to make our trip special!
We learned a little something about each of the animals that reside at CMA as well as a little bit about the ocean and wildlife in general.
Meg for example has decided she’s not a fan of Crab Traps!
However, our family is and forever will be fans of wildlife and people who spend their time trying to protect it!
If you would like to adopt one of CMA’s residents or make a contribution to help please visit www.seewinter.com.
Coffee, Chocolate & Xanax 