01/14/2025 ICW Day 14 : Paddle Scars and Sea Stars

by Brian · Published January 14, 2025 · Updated January 23, 2025

After our EFI walk of Peanut Island, I went for a paddle on the paddle board out amongst some rocks. The park ranger had told Janet that a lot of manatees had been in the area lately. Since I’d only seen a manatee from above, I decided to try and swim with one. As fortune would have it, I spotted a rock from above. Then I thought, “did that rock move?” I plopped in the water and found myself alongside a hefty manatee. We just stared at each other; it being able to hold its breath MUCH longer than me, I surfaced several times as it kind of wallowed there. I’m very happy because this was something that I had hoped to experience on this trip!

Afterwards, I paddled closer to other rocks to see more fish. That turned out to be a bad move. Later, when I was cleaning the paddle board, I heard that noise you hear when you put your inner tube in water to find the hole. quite a bit of air was escaping from a long slit i had cut in the paddleboard when i got caught on rocks. i had foolishly tried to force myself over, somehow forgetting that the paddleboard is not invincible.

we had searched for PVC cement at Walmart near key Largo, but i finally gave up thinking that one of our other adhesives would work. as such, i used the 3M 5000 Marine adhesive. fingers crossed that it can handle the 15 psi i plan to pump in tomorrow. feeling kinda dumb for not getting the proper cement because we rely heavily on these paddle boards!

also, today during our walk, Janet slipped and cut her leg. its cut about as much as the paddleboard, but doesn't require finding a store for the healing to begin.

Photos:

I really wanted to swim with one of these guys on this trip and am very happy that it happened today!

There were so many different kinds of fish amongst the rocks. Usually I don’t see such variety when snorkeling.

The paddle board comes with a patch (circle), but they cannot ship PVC cement to California… hence me showing up in Florida with only half a repair kit.

Janet wouldn’t want you to see the gnar gnar on her leg. She is a toughie as usual and said, “it doesn’t hurt anymore.” But one thing she said is hurting is her butt. I guess it is from the new recumbent pedal position. In typical Janet fashion of seeing the positive in everything, she said, “the good part about my butt hurting is that means it is getting toned.” She’s right!

Strava Comments:

Janet W.

I’m glad your dream of swimming with a manatee came true! Sometimes I want to like snorkeling in cold water, but when it comes down to it …. Your fish photos were a lot more colorful than I expected!

Judy I.

Cool manatee photos! My 11 year old granddaughter in Nashville just made a snow manatee in her yard; it’s a rare day when they get any snow, but this time it was close to a foot! (The chickens did not care for it at all! 😉) Hope your leg heals quickly Janet, and make sure you aren’t getting a saddle sore with the new recumbent position!

Ann L.

Cool about the manatee. Sorry about your board and Janet’s cut.

Gregg B.

Brian Lucido is the PVC glue you need the same as used for PVC plumbing pipe? If so they will have that in the plumbing department of every hardware store.

Nancy P.

Manatee encounter! So cool 😎 (and question answered) and if Janet Wagner says the water is cold…😳

Jessica M.

Cool to hear that you saw I am with the manatee. Can you close up Janet’s wound with the glue you use? Just kidding. I hope she heals quick.