Pasco Winter Quarters, Land O’Lakes, FL, to Lake Manatee State Park, Bradenton, FL:  This morning was beautiful—warm and sunny under a deep blue cloudless sky.  Started getting things together and then we looked at our reservation and the check-in time was 3:00.  So we sat outside reading and relaxing until 11:00 and then finished putting things away.  Left around 11:40.  I usually drive first, but Mike did this time.  A short drive—only about 70 miles.  Headed east on Rt. 54 and then south in I-75.  I-75 was a little rough but then smoothed out after a few miles.  Pulled into Lake Manatee SP and were set up by 1:30.  We were sitting outside relaxing and a pretty big tortoise walked through our site.  He hung out in the palmettos around our site for a while.  But he was gone after dinner.  After dinner we walked the trail down to the lake.  Saw a beautiful rainbow.  Not sure where it was raining, but at least it wasn’t here.  Walked back and a little boy was by the bath house sobbing.  Mike and I and another guy went over.  Turns out he was lost.  Guess he walked over to the bath house and then didn’t know how to get back.  We took him over to the host and were going to take him around to find his family, but I heard someone calling his name.  Anyway, it all ended well.  He was only about 6 or 7.  These trails can be confusing.  86 today.

Truck pulling a trailer with a little calf in it.  Isn't he cute?  Look at those ears!

A tortoise came for a visit.  They have no natural enemies, although raccoons will sometimes eat them.  Their young are vulnerable to predation until their shells harden-- which takes 7-8 years.

On the trail to the lake

Saw this big spider on the trail

Beautiful rainbow

Lake Manatee