Marine plant fest.

If you have never seen a seagrass bed or a macro algae bed, you are in for a real treat.

Tues: 9am
We will meet in Key Largo at "Dive Direct". It's a huge dive shop on the right hand side as you first come into Key Largo off of 1.
We will island hop towards Key West and look for various plants along the road. Tues night we will stay at Key West in a dorm like setting.
Lots of night life there.

I would suggest a shorty wet suit(hence the Dive Direct shop).
This also prevents intense sun burn without adding lotion.

This will keep the various critters from stinging, irritating folks.
Jelly fish stings are common in some places, I've spent a week here without one and then a day with 4-5. Like a nbee sting but not quite as intense. Wet suits are great for protecting and for extra floatation.

If you are cold intolerant, I would suggest one.
If you are doing the Fw version, might want to get one then for that part.

Weds:

We will rent a boat to go to the Reef, search for the giant Caulpera, see how algae balls are made, and then to the reef.
From there we will head to the other side of the island and stop off at a mangrove forest and explore the roots.

From there we will head back as most will be exhausted.

Thurs:
Option to rent another boat and stop off at an island and reef crest area, collect some macro algae and then head home!!!
Most collecting of species for home will be done at the end and last minute.
We will not take but a small amount for ID and herbarium presses, and a little for your use. No piggery or hording. This is for your tank only.

We will share the cost on the boats which run about 150$ for a 1/2 day, so with 10 folks that will be only 15$ each time.
We will see Barracuda and lots of other fish, sea Turtles, jellyfish etc.
Don't wear shiney objects.

Folks only need to be able to swim reasonably well, an hour of bobbing on the surface can take a lot out of you.

Each evening we will ID our day's collection.
We will eat as we go from location to location and stop off at the local food places.

See you all there!!!

My cell phone will be posted shortly so folks can get a hold of me as they come into Tampa or Miami.

I will drive back to Tampa with the van Thursday evening/afternoon.

Folks can stop off at the Big Cypress swamp, gator wrestle or what not on their way home.

Next year I'll arrange an air boat ride for folks for the FW version.
See ya all soon!

Regards,
Tom Barr