Crystal River, Florida

We arrived at Crystal River a few days early (due to the fact that there wasn't any cell service at Salt Springs and we really, really need that :-).

One of the major highlights of  Crystal River was the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park...probably one of my favorite state parks of all time (so far!).  Got in with our FL State Park pass (woohoo!) and had an awesome day!

Beautiful Wyland mural on the building

Do you see all those manatee?!!?!!!?  Absolutely amazing!

Hello, big fella!  These creatures were fascinating to watch...beautiful, gentle giants

Interesting!

We also "met" Lu the Hippo!  He was getting ready to celebrate his 55th birthday!

They had an amazing Underwater Observatory aka "Giant Fishbowl" (like a stationary submarine with lots of windows) where we saw massive schools of fish!

Look at all those underwater windows!

Mesmerizing...

Here fishy, fishy, fishy!

Schools in session ;-)

Who's that handsome creature?

We had a blast!  We learned about the manatees and saw tons of fish...and saw many native Florida animals...(the hippo was not a Florida native, but he is an honorary citizen!)

God Bless America