The Airboat ride of a lifetime!

When my best friend Mary visited us a year or two ago, she brought a list that one of her colleagues had put together of all of the best things to do in Florida. Evidently he had lived here for a month and he must have kept himself really busy because there were a bunch of things on there we hadn't done in the past 17 years! His number one pick was swimming with the manatees which we totally agree should be on everyone's bucket list. He also had an airboat tour up at the top of the list (which we also hadn't done) so we've been planning it for a while now... When we found out Mike's friend Curt had a friend with an airboat we couldn't wait to find out what all the fuss was about!

Captain Jim is no regular tour guide. This boat is his personal pride and joy and he has made several adaptations to improve it's performance. I asked him what happens if we hit something and get catapulted off. He said that wasn't going to happen but to 'go with it' and dive into the water in the unlikely event that we had an issue....good to know...

 

We were out for about 2 and a half hours and got to see so many different types of Floridian landscape...

Who knew airboats could travel on land??!!

The wildlife was totally amazing. We got to fly alongside every type of wading bird you could imagine and I've never seen so many big gators...

We really picked up some speed at times - it was scary and exhilarating at the same time!

Curt was having a great time in the bulldog seat up front...

...and then we hit something and he was in the water. Once he figured out he was OK, we all saw the funny side...:)

Jim took us to see the secret man cave he has built out on the water...

The swamps looked like a beautiful, enchanted forest...

It was an amazing experience and a beautiful way to see some of the rich diversity of this amazing state. Thank you Curt (and Captain Jim!) for our unforgettable day :)