Okefenokee Swamp

We spent 2 days at Stephen Foster State Park in Okefenokee Swamp - not exactly a bustling place - just us and the critters! We took a ranger guided boat tour through the swamp and saw many different birds; turtles; trees; vines; wild iris; yellow and white lily pads and of course alligators. The water was like glass and we thought about getting our kayak out but when the ranger talked about 5 different venomous snakes plus the 'gators we decided NOT!



Fargo, Georgia is the closest "city" to the swamp - loose use of the term "city" since the nearest grocery store is 50 miles away! We played golf at Swanee River Golf Course and then had lunch at Swanee River Cafe on our way out. That's about all there is to do in Fargo!

The golf course is a long 9 hole course with little tiny greens that made it pretty challenging. It was in much better shape than we anticipated but, we had the place all to ourselves. It is all on the honor system - you put your money in an envelope, stick it in the box and go unplug your golf cart! Needless to say - no restrooms or "beer babe."

It was very interesting but.....Roger says "some places are on our 'do over' list and some are not!" Frankly, I say - I'm glad to see the swamp in our rear view mirror!

Castillo De Marcos National Monument

 

 

 



This monument is actually a fort in St. Augustine, Florida. It was built by the Spanish in 1672 - well before Jamestown. It is so well designed that it has never been captured by enemy forces - it has only changed "hands" by treaties - primarily between Spain and Great Britain.



We spent a nice afternoon walking around St. Augustine and ate at a well known Cuban restaurant called "The Colombian." They make their specialty salad and sangria at your table and have delicious Cuban sandwiches.

On our way to Okefenokee Swamp this morning. At first - a bird the size of a chicken flew into the motorhome windshield! Didn't hurt our window but not sure about the bird - he did fly away!

Cocoa Beach, Florida

 

Life is a "beach" at Cocoa Beach!

We are staying at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral for a truly relaxing week. The park is located on a jetty with the ocean on one side and a man made canal on the other. The canal allows cruise ships to enter/leave the port. We couldn't have a better site - right on the point - just a short walk to the beach or along the canal and fishing pier.

Cape Canaveral property is across the canal - pretty quiet around there nowdays.

They rent 2 chairs with cushions and an umbrella for $15 per day. We rode our bikes around the area in the morning and then I spent the whole day on the beach! Walking, reading, napping, watching the dolphins and boats - glorious!

We watched the Carnival Pride leave port last evening - a huge cruise ship that takes up most of the canal. A "port pilot" is required to "drive" the ship out to sea so there is a small escort boat that leads the ship out of the canal and then picks up the pilot and brings him back.

We are golfing today - such a tough life we lead!

A cute Emily story: They were eating chicken for dinner and Emily asked why Heather "always makes chicken" - Heather asked her what her favorite food is so she could make it sometime - Emily answered "rice" - Heather said you can't just eat rice, Emily, what is your second favorite food? Emily thought for a moment and said "frosting!"

We were on SKYPE with the girls last night - early morning in KL - Heather was fixing their hair before school - Emily told Samantha she looked "fabulous!"

Royal Palm, Everglades

We drove south of Miami and out to another Everglades visitor center today - saw a movie about the Everglades and then explored Royal Palm. There is a boardwalk loop trail that provides a wonderful tour of the ecosystem. The area is "teeming" with wildlife - birds, alligators, turtles, snakes, fish, insects and plants. Spring is a great time to be here because there are no bugs - yet! It is mating season for the alligators and we could hear them "bellowing" through out the swamp. On our way out of the park we saw a car parked along the side of the road with people taking pictures - we had to stop and see what the attraction was - a mother alligator and about 30 baby alligators in a shallow pool!
They have a huge problem with python snakes in the Everglades and south Florida. Apparently, someone let a pet python into the swamp and they have multiplied rapidly. The ranger told us the females lay 100-150 eggs at a time. Florida had a month long "open season" for hunting them - gave out 800 permits and only 67 were captured/killed. I say they pay a bounty and let anyone interested hunt them anytime for money!!
Believe it or not, you can take a 14 day canoe trip through the Everglades and camp out along the way! Or, you can go "slogging" with a ranger - this is hiking in the swamp - for those "adventurous individuals who don't mind walking through mud and water." Didn't hurry to sign up for either of those outdoor activities! Viewing it from the safety of the walkway was close enough for me!

Not sure whether they peck the cars or poop on them!!

A

An "Anhinga" - they dive and spear fish with their sharp beak then they spread their wings to dry them so they can fly.

We watched this turtle lay some eggs and then cover them with dirt using her hind legs.

We laughed at this sign - a little different than the 7,000 feet passes out west!

Momma alligator and her babies

An "airplant" in full bloom

Miami, Florida

We drove to Miami for the last day LaPoints were with us. The guys went golfing again while Ann and shopped. "South Beach" clothing is not exactly designed for women my age that live in trailer parks!! We took a boat tour of the harbor and "Millionaire's Row," and ate more seafood last night and then took them to the airport early this morning. Poor Gary has to go back to work tomorrow! We are glad they came to visit - we had a great time!

 

A typical home along the harbor - this one is owned by the president of a large pharmecutical company - no wonder our medications are so expensive!



This private yacht belongs to the president of Carnival Cruise line - looks like he cruises in style!

Speaking of Carnival - the "Liberty" leaving port

Fisher Island - a private island in the harbor accessed by private ferry, yacht or helicopter. It costs $270,000/year "dues" to belong to the homeowners association and condos are in the millions. But, Oprah or Tom Cruise could be your neighbor!

Key West

We drove across the state to Long Key State Park after touring the Everglades. Our campsite is right on the Atlantic Ocean! It was so windy on Thursday we could not enjoy the beach so we drove to Key West for the day. The Conch Trolley Tour was a great way to see the island and get the history.
Of course we ate seafood at the wharf (saw a fishing boat named "The High Class Hooker") and then went to Mallory Square to watch the sunset. The square is full of street performers, vendors and tourists - a wonderful place to people watch!

Hemingway's home in Key West.

A street performer did a tumbling act, ran and jumped through the small hoola hoop her boyfriend held on her back!

 

 

Key West sunset

 

Our last day at Long Key State Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Everglades

What great fun we had riding an airboat through the Everglades and the Mangrove forests! Roger was disappointed that we did not see any manatees - this is not the best season to see them - but we saw several alligators, turtles and birds.