Day #99 - Exploration

We've been noticing that the steering wheel of the truck starts to shake at higher speeds. Lately, it is starting to shake at lower speeds, too. This has me very concerned. So tomorrow, we have an appointment at the local dealership to get it checked out. I'm none too thrilled that we have to waste a day doing this, but I hate the not knowing even more. At least it should all be cover under warranty.

We have been searching for free Internet access. I'm told we can pay for access at the campground, but the reception is "iffy". Joy. So we decided to search for a library. Luckily we found one close by. It seems that most libraries will let you use the computers for an hour, even if you don't have a library card. I think this is going to come in handy while we travel.

Near the library was a bunch of cute little shops. One of them was a toy store - The Manatee Toy Company (http://www.manateetoyco.com), and the other was another kind of toy store - Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company . The first toy store was very disappointing to me. I was expecting a toy store, with games and puzzles and stuff. If I had visited their website, or read the sign slowly, I would have realized that it was a MANATEE toy store. So basically every manatee themed object you can think of is in this store. I can't think of many. Neither can the store. They have jewelry and clothes and other non-toy things. I was majorly upset.

Aardvark's Florida Kayak Co (http://www.floridakayakcompany.com), on the other hand, is exactly what you would expect of a Kayak store. The owner's, Matt & Sue Clemons, are wonderfully nice people to talk to and they really know their stuff. They however had a manatee themed toy that I really wanted -- a paddle with manatee fabric fiberglass blades -- oh, la, la! I entered a drawing for the paddle, with proceeds benefiting Save Three Sisters Spring (http://www.savethemanatee.org/three_sisters/savethreesisters.html). We talked to them about places to go to see the manatee and still be respectful. We heard that some kayak tour groups harass the manatee so the tourist are sure to see them. Sue and Matt definitely don't subscribe to that kind of tour! I also bought a really cool "Save the Manatee" T-Shirt.

I had noticed that Matt has posted all kinds of kayaking launching points for this area on google maps, that I found really helpful, so I made sure to thank him. Suzie and I plan to check out a couple of them soon.