Frolicking in Florida: a story of Miller Mishaps (Part 3)

Wednesday was the day I had been waiting for - since February!  This was my birthday present!  This was what I'd been selling to the Heathens for two years!  And it was finally time to swim with the dolphins!!!!!

Discovery Cove was UNDESCRIBABLE.  But I will do my best.

All you had to bring was YOU - everything else was covered.  Breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks all day long, towels, sunscreen, snorkeling gear, beach chairs and umbrellas.

Our dolphin's name was Catalina. She was three years old and she was great.  Although the younger two were a little nervous at first, by the end they loved her!

Heathen #1 kissing Catalina!

Heathen #2 with his new best buddy!

Heathen #3 was nervous being with something
that much bigger than him, but he did great!

In addition to the dolphins, there was sting ray pool where you could touch and feed the sting rays.  The water was a little too deep for Heathen #3 to stand, but he still loved watching me feed them!

 

There was also a coral reef with fish, manta rays and sharks (enclosed in a separate area).  You could snorkel with the fish and pet the manta rays.  Heathen #1 spent a good bit of the day diving down to the manta rays and hanging on for rides.  The sharks were in an enclosed area within the reef but you could still see them underwater.  It was amazing!

Discovery Cove also houses an aviary with beautiful birds.  Here are just a few of my favorites that I snapped!

We watched a man propose "by dolphin" while we were there!  As we were waiting our turn to enter the dolphin lagoon, Catalina (our dolphin) brought over a white buoy to a couple already in the water.  The white buoy was enscribed with "Will you marry me?"  It was really sweet!  Our trainer said he's been there for twelve years and has seen more than a few proposals that weren't accepted!

The Heathens had a fabulous day of snorkeling and sun.  We were sad to leave, but spent the trip back to the condo planning our next Discovery Cove visit.  We will definitely be going back.

Tired, but planning the return visit.