Kayaking the Little Manatee River

Well, we finally did it. I've been trying to get someone to kayak down the Little Manatee River for months. Every time I think I had someone to do it with something happens to cancel it. But I finally talked someone into it - Howard and Jan Miller - visiting from San Diego they didn't know about all the alligators and poisonous snakes that were on this stretch of river - I think the promise of going to Beanie's all-you-can-drink bar swung them over to going.

You can see the chickens standing on the dock at the Sundance Marina and waving goodbye.

Us brave kayakers took off for a 6 mile row.

We had checked the tide tables to make sure we were on an outgoing tide but the wind turned out to be much more important. When it was behind us it was easy rowing but when we headed into it, it was tough.

Oh no, we are going to be attacked by a man eating alligator - row faster. Well actually we didn't see any but we did have several Porpoises (5 or 6) playing with us - we didn't get a picture of them - so the alligator is a space holder for the porpoises.

Lots of houses and boats the nearer we get to Tampa Bay. I had picked out a landing spot by using Google earth - It was close to the bar we wanted to celebrate at and looked like you could drive the pickup truck close to load the kayaks on. Both were correct but it didn't show how steep the banks were and how tough it was to bring the kayaks up them

But it was all worth it for the celebration at Beanie's Bar. All the loaded chips and hot wings you can eat and Amberbock on draft.