Birds and Alligators and Panthers Oh, My!

Well we just arrived back in Lakeland after a week in the Everglades. We met up there with our good friends Ed and Judy there. It was such a treat to connect with someone from home after being on our own for a month.

We camped at Collier-Seminole State Park south of Naples and a stone's throw from Marco Island. The campground is lush with trees and history. We were lucky on our campsite. It was very large and the trees were adequately spaced. It was amazing how some RVs were wedged between two trees. Those guys had to be real pros to get into them with out scratching.

A scene in the Everglades

There was an antique piece of road equipment called the Bay City Road Walker. It was made in Bay City, Michigan and used to make the Tamiami trail (also known as US 41) over the swampy land of the Everglades. Yes, this is the same US 41 known as Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.  It always amazes me what Americans were able to do back in the days with the limited technology available both in not only in their equipment and, but also their clothing; and I don't even want to think about the mosquitoes they had to battle. My had is off to the workers who made such projects happen and happen with engineering that would last a century and still going.

Down the street from the park entrance is a bird sanctuary called One Thousand Islands. We took a nice little hike through it and saw a few interesting creatures including a very impressive alligator.

We took an air boat ride, a first for this adventurer. I was pleasantly surprised at what great fun it was. He makes 90 degree sudden turns and you hang on to keep from falling off then barely even feel the centrifugal force. I surmise it is the lack of friction as the boat is actually flying in the air. Apparently these boats only need water to get started, after that they can pretty much go anywhere, which was evidence by the dry mud bars we sailed over and never even got splashed. We saw some more alligators and birds, but more important got a real feel for what the Everglades are like up close and personal.

Meet Buster

When we disembarked from our ship, the woman who owned the company had a few alligator pets which she offered up for us to handle. It took a few strokes with my fingers and a lot of goading from her and Ed for me to get up the nerve but here is the proof. Yes, it felt just like holding and alligator purse.

The next day we took our bikes over to Sanibel Island and rode through the bird sanctuary "Ding Darling". This may sound like a lot of bird watching, but watching them in their natural environment is real eye candy. Besides it is a place to hike or ride our bikes and just enjoy being outdoors.

Our biggest thrill was having a Florida Panther cross our path on the road to Marco Island. We have always heard about the creatures and there are panther crossing signs along all the highways with the same frequency you see deer crossing signs in Wisconsin. However it rare to actually see one. It was a magnificent grey cat with huge biceps and quadriceps. Not a likely candidate for house pet.

We spent a day at the beach in Naples with Ed and Judy, got a little sunburned, and added many games to the longest Pinochle tournament in history.

It was sad to leave our friends in Naples and return to the north but we were warmly greet by other friends from home, Larry and Sue who will be company for us until we leave Sanlan Ranch.

I was able to hit the trails for a 5.5 mile hike after church and we had great fun at our own Superbowl party. Everyone was happy with the outcome. Now I am ready to get back to my golf game.