Melvin gets too close
FL 1-29-15ia
We were up early today to start our day. Well 7 AM is early for a retired couple. By 8 the Burb was headed for doggie day care. Oscar got another day in Pamperville while the rest of us went SW on route 41.
That took us trough Naples. Ruth and I still can't believe we traveled 30 miles and never ran out of stores. Everything from furniture to Wendy's. Who buys at this many stores?
Once we passed Tin City, In Bonita Springs, several restored warehouse type buildings that were once processing plants for clams and fish that have been repurposed for retail shops, the buildings started to get space and then nothing but Everglades.
For those that have never seen them, it's a mixture of tall grass, palm and cypress trees, and mangroves. The vegetation is dependent on the water level that is mostly brackish. A mixture of fresh and salt water.
40 miles into the Everglades we stopped for our airboat ride. That was another first for both of us. It was fantastic! Exelerating and fun without being roller coaster wild. Average speed was 40 mph and water depth varied from mud to 3 feet. We wizzed through narrow channels in the mangrove that had people on both side tucking their arms in. Once we got into the grasses our driver did several fast 360's and a couple wide slides that went over 100 yards. The boat is propelled by a Chevy 454 engine turning a 6 foot blade and I don't think he used all of it.
When we weren't being thrilled by the ride itself, the many varieties of wildlife kept us interested and busy with our cameras. Birds a bunch, snakes and yes alligators. One was sunning himself on the waters edge and we were told it was over 12 feet long.
Once the ride ended we walked through a small zoo. Did you know Panther's live in the Everglades? They are Beautiful! That was followed by very entertaining alligator handling show. Before leaving Melvin posed for a couple photo opps.
By the time we rescued Oscar, Ruth and I were both ready for a nap. So, we picked up a pizza on the way back and called it a day.
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