The Amazing Ecotour- A Key Largo Trip Report - UPDATED 2/14 - Capt. Mike aboard! - Page 10 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Old 11-09-2009, 12:26 PM   #136
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good tips!
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Old 11-09-2009, 03:03 PM   #137
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Good tips to keep in mind!
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Old 11-09-2009, 07:16 PM   #138
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Thanks for the pix and tips.
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Old 11-10-2009, 01:35 PM   #139
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Sandy, this is an amazing TR! Just read it from the beginning. What an awesome adventure. ID'd your foot in under 10 seconds. What took the rest of you so long?!
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Old 11-13-2009, 10:58 AM   #140
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I use to see these trees when I was in Florida vitisting my grandma in naples, in 04 my father and I after visiting WDW we went down to Key west we stop over for one night at Key Largo on the way down. I never knew those island were just trees. COOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL.
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Old 11-13-2009, 08:40 PM   #141
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just finished reading your TR. Really enjoying it. Love the pictures, but i would also be scarred of alligators, crocodiles and sharks. I thought cotton was the best to wear in the heat
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Old 11-28-2009, 09:43 AM   #142
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And soon we were headed out towards open water again.



















The Mangroves were so thick that it looked as if we would never get through them. You could reach out and pull off a leaf in some spots.

And, as always, there was the sound of unseen creatures rustling in the leaves, splashing in the water, or making their sounds.

By the way, I realize I duplicated photos earlier, so I posted new photos on this entry.

http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...7-post134.html
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Old 11-28-2009, 10:00 AM   #143
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The next part of the trip had very few photos because we were FLYING on the water so quickly that I was holding on for dear life. As peaceful and relaxing as the slow part was, this part was thrilling and exciting.

Soon I could see Dove Creek Lodge.





This is a view of the marina.


And here is the boat, docked after a long trip. The little booth belongs to Captain Mike, and has information about fish that passengers have caught.



I had a few other errands to run that day, but it was hard to get the images, sounds, smells, and sensations of the boat ride our of my mind.

At the end of the day, I was filled with gratitude for how beautiful nature can be. I appreciated the kindess of Jennifer, Captain Mike, and the other staff at the Dove Creek Lodge...especially Katie.




I felt so appreciative of my PassPorter buds who followed along with my trip on the blog. not_really_asolo_trip.
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Old 11-28-2009, 03:53 PM   #144
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Thanks for going on the ecotour with me. There is something about virtual passengers that make things even more fun. You can find the whole trip right_here_on_my_Key_Largo_Blog.

This is how I summed up my Key Largo trip the next morning on my blog:


My friend Doreen was traveling for business in Boston, and we spent a couple hours on the phone chatting while I ate my Dominos Pizza on the balcony. Doreen and I have had most of our friendship by cell phone...two busy women who catch up while driving from here to there or staying someplace far from home. She commented on how brave I was to plan my first whole week solo trip to someplace so unfamiliar. (Disney solo trips don't count because I know the place so well.) I felt proud of myself...like I'd taken some kind of first steps toward a new independence.

Yesterday was such an amazing day I forgot to blog! I spent about five hours on an ecotour given by Captain Mike Makowski along with the company of Jennifer, the person I first spoke to to reserve my room here at the lodge.

While grabbing coffee, I had a fantastic chat with Jennifer's mother, who was on duty here. I took one last walk and the housekeeper greeted me with a big smile.

This morning I had some PMs and blog comments wondering where my blog was yesterday. I thought about how great it is to have the PassPorter community wherever I go. I've only actually been in the same room with a handful of them, but they are always floating in the air, waiting for me to log on.

As I get ready to power down the laptop and catch the shuttle to Miami, I see that this was not a solo trip at all. I had the freedom to create solitude whenever I chose, but never was there a moment when I could not reach out and find someone.

I feel deeply blessed right now, surrounded by great people, and full of gratitude for people who pass like ships in the night, people who have been on speed dial for years, people who are part of my real-time life, and people who wait in virtual rooms and communities to say "hi" and notice when you are enjoying life so much that you forget to blog!

I'll see you ALL when I am back in Jersey! Signing out from Key Largo.

Namaste.
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Old 11-28-2009, 07:06 PM   #145
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Great finish Sandy! Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
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Old 11-28-2009, 08:43 PM   #146
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I went back through the whole trip to look again at the amazing photos. I love the last few of the sunset. I can't wait to someday do this myself. Thank you for your beautiful descriptions of the place and people.
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Old 11-28-2009, 09:29 PM   #147
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Great trip. Thanks for allowing us to follow along with you. With the pix and the story line, it was like we really were there with you all along the way. Glad you had such a great time.
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Old 11-28-2009, 10:58 PM   #148
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Great finish! Thanks for sharing such an interesting TR with us!
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Old 11-29-2009, 12:29 AM   #149
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Great finish, Sandra! Interesting insights... I, too, feel blessed to have found this virtual community full of friends I have never met!

I have really enjoyed this little tour of Key Largo, a place I've never been. Thanks for bringing us along!
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Old 11-29-2009, 11:44 AM   #150
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What a great finish!
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