The Amazing Ecotour- A Key Largo Trip Report - UPDATED 2/14 - Capt. Mike aboard! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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The Amazing Ecotour- A Key Largo Trip Report - UPDATED 2/14 - Capt. Mike aboard!
Amazing Ecotour- A Key Largo Trip Report
Meet Captain Mike Makowski. He'll be your guide on this Ecotour.
This is his first mate, Jennifer. OK, the truth is that Jennifer works at The Dove Creek Lodge and came along for the ride.
I'm Sandy. I don't have a photo of myself on this tour, but I DO have a photo of the fish that hangs on the wall of my balcony at The Dove Creek Lodge. Here it is. I don't really look anything like this fish, but he is cute and I thought you might like to see him.
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The Dove Creek Lodge is a rather unusual place. I chose this resort because the reviews say the staff is so friendly that you feel as if you are visiting family. Since this was a solo trip, I thought that would be special. (By the way, the link below will take to you the real-time trip blog that I wrote while I was there.)
Just as promised, the staff treated me like family. I loved Katie, who is FULL of energy and life. I also got to know Jennifer, who is just about as friendly as you could ever hope a person would be. Jennifer's Mom also works there, and I got to meet her on my last day.
Jennifer told me about Captain Mike and his Ecotours. She told me they always get rave reviews. She introduced me to Captain Mike on the morning of the tour and the next thing I knew, the boat was pushing off the dock.
This is a pretty small boat, so you can really see down into the water. You can see all the scenery way up close.
The boat was moving pretty quickly, which made it difficult to shoot some of the photos. The first thing we passed was a big mass of Mangrove Trees.
Mangrove Trees are sometimes called "walking trees" because they just keep moving along and getting bigger and bigger. Before long, they look like small islands. They do this by sending root shoots right down into the water. Eventually these shoots become more trees.
I love Mangrove Trees because they really know how to take care of themselves.
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The scenery was simply breathtaking. At one point, Captain Mike Makowski pulled this mask over his face.
The first thought that came to mind is that it is never good when guys put on a mask in airports or banks, so let's hope that boats are different! Apparently, these masks are common for fishermen who spend alot of time in the Florida sun. It is called a Buff, and it keeps the sun off their faces.
We picked up speed to move around a little Mangrove island.
Captain Mike explained that his boat was 21 years old, and was like part of his family. "I grew up on this boat," he told us. "When I was a kid I used to lay on the front and pretend I was flying."
Before long, we came upon a mysterious looking area which looked as if the Mangroves had grown into a tunnel.
The opening in the tunnel grew very thin. We had to be careful of the Mangroves, so the engine went off and the gondola ride began.
Nice tease Sandra. First it looks like you have joined a pirate ship and now you promise excitement. Can my heart take the wait? Lets get on with the story.
Nice tease Sandra. First it looks like you have joined a pirate ship and now you promise excitement. Can my heart take the wait? Lets get on with the story.
<giggle> I'm already hooked! Can't wait to see what happens next...
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I'm already hooked! Can't wait to see what happens next...
: More please! 
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