Dateline Crystal River, Florida. Your Intrepid Cancer Cure Rider’s prowess in the water has yet again preceded him. Yours Truly was invited by Captain Bill to accompany him aboard the “Fun 2 Dive” and go swim with the Manitees. He said he had heard I was going to be in the area so he contacted me to assist with swimming and playing with these huge (800 Lbs. and up) marine animals.
First a word about Captain Bill Wilson. He is a certified Manitee rescue pilot who is called upon by local and federal agencies when a Manitee is hit by a boat or in any other distress. He is one of just a few people licensed to take people out to visit these wonderful marine animals up close and personal. He is also an exceptionally nice guy, who gave a one-on-one class about Manitees and how to interact with them so as not to harm them but still swim with them.
I don’t advertise on Cancer Ride America. But today I make an exception. WWW.Fun2Dive.com. Should you ever find yourself anywhere near Crystal River, look them up. You will have the experience of a lifetime.
And so today Your Intrepid Cancer Cure Rider was gently placed into the water near a mother and her calf, whom I shall name Melissa, after a young lady who is like a daughter to me. I swam just above them for a few minutes and then suddenly the calf stopped, turned to look at me, and then swam over and literally cuddled up into my extended arms. She used her flippers to grab my hands and pull them into her while she sniffed and mouthed my face and dive mask. I tickled her a little and suddenly we were best friends. She followed me (in between running off every time mom got a little to far away), and I followed her as she casually swam along the bottom eating her lunch of grasses.
As we swam along together she came up and gently kissed me on the forhead, cheek, and face mask (I was snorkeling) several times. She also grabbed my hands several more times and pulled herself into me as I gently petted her and scratched her tummy.
Here’s a shot of mom.
Captain Bill took more pictures, but said he’s not sure how they came out. He’s going send them to Mission Control so hopefully more will be posted at a later date.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls…..this was an experience of a lifetime for Yours Truly. The manitee is a gentle giant. Captain Bill was absolutely thrilled with the way they interacted with me and said it was because I was very clearly an animal lover and understood how to behave around them. True. Mission Control and I are huge animal lovers and every pet we’ve had are rescue animals.
Captain Bill, Melissa, and Mom….Thank you all for an amazing experience. You will all be remembered for a lifetime by Your Intrepid Cancer Cure Rider. And Captain Bill, that invitation to Seattle is still open. And I really appreciated the opportunity to talk about this extraordinary effort to find a cure for all cancers.
Ride On,
C.C.R.
