More pretty Hibiscus,
With a start in Naples we went on an air boat excursion.
It was about a 45 minute mini bus ride out to the site in Everglade City.
I recognized some of the drive on Alligator Alley. I have wanted
to take a ride on one of those boats for a long time. Thought it would be more
fun if Ron went along. This was our guide. What a hoot he was. Do you believe
him or not. What tails he told.
One of the fun things was seeing raccoons out among the cypress trees.
Good thing these guys can swim. The guides know where a group of them live.
The water was turned up when food was thrown into the water. Perannas were grabbing it.
Well I believed it! Okay I am a sucker.
This was the other boat of people on our tour.
Well our guide as I said was a hoot. Well he must have figured I would love doing a 360
turn! I started to giggle and did not stop. Anywhere there was an opening around we
would go. How do they know how to get through those groves. I was shortly after we left the
dock. It is now a ride for the faint of heart.
These guys fly through the mangroves. Those are the roots of the trees.
You can just see other boat up in front of us. The mist was great. It was
a cloudy day, but so much fun!!
The kids were having fun with this alligator. He was not as scary as the real ones.
site. Here are crab traps. Unfortunately, we did not have time
for a restaurant break. Crabs would have been so good.
There are places all along the dock where the fish and crabs are caught
and are cooked right there for your enjoyment.
Grimm's is quite a popular place.
The vultures are right there to help with the salvage.
- Restaurant and souvenir shop on the dock.
I think was the city center of the largest county in Florida.
There are all sorts of places to eat, and none are fancy.
This is not the place to get the elegant meal. It is a kind of dig in your food.
Don't worry about the mess!
Some of the original buildings are still there. It is a very small town.
It did not recover very well from the last hurricane.
Our driver sure knows her history. I just wish I could remember it all.
On to our next stop.
Nothing like an alligator farm. Thank heaven there were behind fences!
With the help of this gentleman you could have your opportunity to hold one
of these beauties. Not in my lifetime!
Ron decided to take that opportunity. The keeper takes care about how
you handle them and of course you get to tip the keeper.
I think this was one of the bigger youngings to have your picture
taken with.
"The Rock" has visited this wondrous place.
They put on a show. The gators are behind a fence. The keeper
shows you how fast those jaws close.
That mouth is wicked.
Here is an American crocodile.
"The Rock" and the owners.
Couldn't help but laugh at this teeshirt.
As we started our way back to Naples, our driver showed us the smallest post office.
I think it had been destroyed a long time ago, and the repair is actually a shed that
someone donated. It was converted and actually receives and has a pickup of mail.
One person mans it during the week.
That was another great day. I loved the air boat ride so much. Not so sure if Ron did.
What will our adventures be tomorrow,.
Ron was the one that planned our route through Florida and set up the hotels.
When I have been there by myself, I would book a room for a week or a series of days,
then map out what I wanted to see in that area. We kind of crossed our route a couple
of times when Ron planned it out. Plus, there may be quilt shops, scrapbook stores or other fun
things in that area to see.
We still did get to see a lot of things. The excursion was planned and a wonderful time.