Day 36
Finished driving across New Mexico today and stopped at Four Corners, where New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Colorado meet. Only a short detour and fun to see. Then on to Utah. So many things we wanted to see, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion. Seeing them all not possible without a lot of backtracking, so we reluctantly skipped Monument Valley. As we have done at every chance we opted for scenic byways as opposed to interstates. The scenic byway through Utah was really spectacular. An amazing array of terrain types, colors, vegetation and animals. I'm having trouble posting pictures tonight (Sunday) but will try to add them later. We just missed getting a spot at a National Park but found a nice hotel with a pool and hot tub.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Day 35
From Santa Fe, we drove up to Taos. Neat little city, home to the Taos Pueblo. We didn't visit, but had a remarkably good lunch at a little hole in the wall recommended by the parking lot attendant. He reminded us that it's not Mexican food here, its New Mexican food. We overheard some other patrons talking about the key lime pie. Too full to do anything other than share a piece - it was perhaps the best I've ever had. After lunch wandered the plaza. This city has been here since the 17th Century. Indian, Spanish, Mexican then American, like the rest of the region.
Left town heading west and crossed the Rio Grande Gorge bridge. I always think of the Rio Grande as our border with Mexico, but it starts in Colorado and runs all the way through New Mexico before it gets to El Paso.
We finished up at a State Park in New Mexico. Nice camp fire, bag salad for dinner and off to bed. Another good day
From Santa Fe, we drove up to Taos. Neat little city, home to the Taos Pueblo. We didn't visit, but had a remarkably good lunch at a little hole in the wall recommended by the parking lot attendant. He reminded us that it's not Mexican food here, its New Mexican food. We overheard some other patrons talking about the key lime pie. Too full to do anything other than share a piece - it was perhaps the best I've ever had. After lunch wandered the plaza. This city has been here since the 17th Century. Indian, Spanish, Mexican then American, like the rest of the region.
Left town heading west and crossed the Rio Grande Gorge bridge. I always think of the Rio Grande as our border with Mexico, but it starts in Colorado and runs all the way through New Mexico before it gets to El Paso.
We finished up at a State Park in New Mexico. Nice camp fire, bag salad for dinner and off to bed. Another good day
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Day 34
Finished our drive across Oklahoma, crossed the Texas panhandle and arrived in Santa Fe, NM around 6pm (picked up another lost hour along the way). Checked into a Motel 6 and went in search of adventure. There is a Japanese style bath house in the hills which we had read about in the travel guide. Delightful place. Very authentic, hot tub, sauna, massage rooms, relaxation room with pads on the floor and headphones to listen to music. Howard and I both had a soak and he got a massage. Left completely relaxed and found an extremely mediocre restaurant. Our dinner of sandwiches and pie last night was better. But we were relaxed and full. Slept like a couple of babies.
Finished our drive across Oklahoma, crossed the Texas panhandle and arrived in Santa Fe, NM around 6pm (picked up another lost hour along the way). Checked into a Motel 6 and went in search of adventure. There is a Japanese style bath house in the hills which we had read about in the travel guide. Delightful place. Very authentic, hot tub, sauna, massage rooms, relaxation room with pads on the floor and headphones to listen to music. Howard and I both had a soak and he got a massage. Left completely relaxed and found an extremely mediocre restaurant. Our dinner of sandwiches and pie last night was better. But we were relaxed and full. Slept like a couple of babies.
Day 33
Drove through the rest of Arkansas and most of Oklahoma. As best as we can tell, we didn't miss anything of significance. Couldn't think of a good reason to linger in Tornado Alley. We camped in a nice Oklahoma State Campground at Foss Lake. Got to camp and realized we were nearly out of gas and didn't have anything for dinner. Failure to plan continues to present us with new opportunities. Gas - go back 12 miles to the last city we passed or take our chances on finding a station in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma. Dinner - peanut butter and jelly. But on the off chance that we'd get a break we went a little way across the highway and discovered a gas station. Went inside to get the receipt and found they had an array of "home cooked" delicacies (that means they made them there). Dinner an egg salad and roast beef sandwich and coconut cream and lemon pie. We do enjoy living well.
Drove through the rest of Arkansas and most of Oklahoma. As best as we can tell, we didn't miss anything of significance. Couldn't think of a good reason to linger in Tornado Alley. We camped in a nice Oklahoma State Campground at Foss Lake. Got to camp and realized we were nearly out of gas and didn't have anything for dinner. Failure to plan continues to present us with new opportunities. Gas - go back 12 miles to the last city we passed or take our chances on finding a station in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma. Dinner - peanut butter and jelly. But on the off chance that we'd get a break we went a little way across the highway and discovered a gas station. Went inside to get the receipt and found they had an array of "home cooked" delicacies (that means they made them there). Dinner an egg salad and roast beef sandwich and coconut cream and lemon pie. We do enjoy living well.
Day 32
We spent the day in Hot Springs Arkansas because it looked so interesting and because we really liked our campsite. The city is within the boundaries of the National Park and the Visitor Center is in one of the old bath houses. The campground was one of the nicest we've stayed in despite the lack of showers. Extra added benefit, there's a nudie bar just down the road. Outside the Park boundaries I expect.
With any luck, there will be pictures of the city posted above. The hotels and bath houses were all built in the 1920's. Rich people came to spend their vacations and get various treatments thought at that time to be beneficial. Things came to a sudden halt with the depression (sound familiar). Today, only three bath houses are in operation on Bath House Row. The pictures of the bath house interior were all taken in the building used as the visitor center. Good times back then.
We spent the day in Hot Springs Arkansas because it looked so interesting and because we really liked our campsite. The city is within the boundaries of the National Park and the Visitor Center is in one of the old bath houses. The campground was one of the nicest we've stayed in despite the lack of showers. Extra added benefit, there's a nudie bar just down the road. Outside the Park boundaries I expect.
With any luck, there will be pictures of the city posted above. The hotels and bath houses were all built in the 1920's. Rich people came to spend their vacations and get various treatments thought at that time to be beneficial. Things came to a sudden halt with the depression (sound familiar). Today, only three bath houses are in operation on Bath House Row. The pictures of the bath house interior were all taken in the building used as the visitor center. Good times back then.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Day 31
As promised, we crossed over the Mississippi into Arkansas. Decided to stop and camp in Hot Springs (birth place of Bill Clinton). What a surprise - it's a really big city and a National Park. Back in the day before we figured out that site preservation and private enterprise weren't a good mix (1832), Congress declared this area a National Reserve in a effort to preserve it. No boundaries were set and people filed claims to land and set up shop. The area became an eyesore and the government finally stepped in and issued some regulations about what you could build and how you could build it and what to do with waste and a few other things. We learned the lesson here and in Niagara Falls and became more careful with National Parks. Today, the city exists within the National Park. In the 19th Century, people believed that hot mineral baths had therapeutic value and many people (especially rich people) came here to "take the baths". A row of elaborate bath houses lined the main street along with hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. Today, most of the bath houses are out of business although they still provide a glimpse of their opulent past. I'll try to put some pictures up tomorrow. We are staying another day because we like the campground and want to see more of Hot Springs. Last night we had dinner at Clinton's favorite rib joint. I compliment his choice. Good Stuff!!
Not to self: Give Howard lessons on making camp coffee. We use a french press - put in ground coffee, add hot water, let steep and then press down the grounds to the bottom and pour away. He doesn't measure the ground coffee - just dumps it in. So many grounds that you can't get the press down to the bottom. STRONG!! Solution: add cold water. Result, warm STRONG coffee. Next, he realized that there was still hot water in the pot and added that. Result: lukewarm weak coffee. Guess we better go in town for breakfast.
As promised, we crossed over the Mississippi into Arkansas. Decided to stop and camp in Hot Springs (birth place of Bill Clinton). What a surprise - it's a really big city and a National Park. Back in the day before we figured out that site preservation and private enterprise weren't a good mix (1832), Congress declared this area a National Reserve in a effort to preserve it. No boundaries were set and people filed claims to land and set up shop. The area became an eyesore and the government finally stepped in and issued some regulations about what you could build and how you could build it and what to do with waste and a few other things. We learned the lesson here and in Niagara Falls and became more careful with National Parks. Today, the city exists within the National Park. In the 19th Century, people believed that hot mineral baths had therapeutic value and many people (especially rich people) came here to "take the baths". A row of elaborate bath houses lined the main street along with hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. Today, most of the bath houses are out of business although they still provide a glimpse of their opulent past. I'll try to put some pictures up tomorrow. We are staying another day because we like the campground and want to see more of Hot Springs. Last night we had dinner at Clinton's favorite rib joint. I compliment his choice. Good Stuff!!
Not to self: Give Howard lessons on making camp coffee. We use a french press - put in ground coffee, add hot water, let steep and then press down the grounds to the bottom and pour away. He doesn't measure the ground coffee - just dumps it in. So many grounds that you can't get the press down to the bottom. STRONG!! Solution: add cold water. Result, warm STRONG coffee. Next, he realized that there was still hot water in the pot and added that. Result: lukewarm weak coffee. Guess we better go in town for breakfast.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Day 30
Our first choice today was which road to take to get to Memphis. We chose the road less traveled (Hwy 64). It took a little longer, but the extra time was well worth it. Started out driving beside the Tennessee River and then struck out through the southern Tennessee countryside. It's very rural and green.. Forest, then rolling hills thickly wooded then rolling hills less thickly wooded. Lots of small farms and ranches, horses, cattle, even a few llamas. A really good ride. Along the way we crossed back into the Central Time Zone and picked up the hour we lost on the way out.
We stopped for lunch in Lawrenceburg at what is without a doubt the worst restaurant I've ever eaten in. I didn't get the name exactly, Billy Ray's Pools of Puke Buffet and Tire Shop or something like that. Why eat there you might ask. Well, first of all, we hadn't seen a place to eat for miles, not even fast food. Secondly, something this bad has to be experienced and related to our readers. From the buffet, I chose "roast beef", fried okra, stewed tomatoes and corn. I was offered corn bread, but given two pancakes which did not look like corn bread and tasted like roof shingles. I picked up a container of desert because I couldn't tell what it was and was curious. Banana pudding with vanilla wavers. Cost - $7. It's the only buffet we haven't gone back for seconds at. Truly memorable.
There is a statue of Davy Crockett in the town square. Every kid our age knows all about Davy Crockett from the old Disneyland show. "Born on a mountain top in Tennessee..." went to Congress and "patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell", died at the Alamo, wore a coonskin cap, "killed him a baar when he was only three". Well, this got us to thinking. We've seen Texas and now we've seen Tennessee. What on earth would prompt a reasonable person to leave Tennessee and move to Texas? And then, when he found out the Mexicans wanted it, why argue the point? He could have kept going to California. The Mexicans wanted that too and it's more worth fighting for. Three women I love live in Texas or I'd never set foot there again. Sorry Texans, don't mean to offend, but don't go to Tennessee. You'll be sorry.
Made a stop at the Civil War battlefield of Shiloh. This month is the 150th anniversary of the battle. Then on to Memphis where we are now. Plan to go out to dinner (no place named Billy Ray's). Tomorrow, we cross the mighty Mississippi and continue west.
Our first choice today was which road to take to get to Memphis. We chose the road less traveled (Hwy 64). It took a little longer, but the extra time was well worth it. Started out driving beside the Tennessee River and then struck out through the southern Tennessee countryside. It's very rural and green.. Forest, then rolling hills thickly wooded then rolling hills less thickly wooded. Lots of small farms and ranches, horses, cattle, even a few llamas. A really good ride. Along the way we crossed back into the Central Time Zone and picked up the hour we lost on the way out.
We stopped for lunch in Lawrenceburg at what is without a doubt the worst restaurant I've ever eaten in. I didn't get the name exactly, Billy Ray's Pools of Puke Buffet and Tire Shop or something like that. Why eat there you might ask. Well, first of all, we hadn't seen a place to eat for miles, not even fast food. Secondly, something this bad has to be experienced and related to our readers. From the buffet, I chose "roast beef", fried okra, stewed tomatoes and corn. I was offered corn bread, but given two pancakes which did not look like corn bread and tasted like roof shingles. I picked up a container of desert because I couldn't tell what it was and was curious. Banana pudding with vanilla wavers. Cost - $7. It's the only buffet we haven't gone back for seconds at. Truly memorable.
There is a statue of Davy Crockett in the town square. Every kid our age knows all about Davy Crockett from the old Disneyland show. "Born on a mountain top in Tennessee..." went to Congress and "patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell", died at the Alamo, wore a coonskin cap, "killed him a baar when he was only three". Well, this got us to thinking. We've seen Texas and now we've seen Tennessee. What on earth would prompt a reasonable person to leave Tennessee and move to Texas? And then, when he found out the Mexicans wanted it, why argue the point? He could have kept going to California. The Mexicans wanted that too and it's more worth fighting for. Three women I love live in Texas or I'd never set foot there again. Sorry Texans, don't mean to offend, but don't go to Tennessee. You'll be sorry.
Made a stop at the Civil War battlefield of Shiloh. This month is the 150th anniversary of the battle. Then on to Memphis where we are now. Plan to go out to dinner (no place named Billy Ray's). Tomorrow, we cross the mighty Mississippi and continue west.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Day 29
Turned west and headed for home. We drove to Chatanooga, TN and stopped for the night. There is nothing particular we want to see between here and home, although we remain open to whims and opportunities along the way. Perhaps a visit to Oz as we transit Tornado Alley. We made it through Alligator Alley unschathed so who's afraid of a little wind. Next stop Memphis.
Turned west and headed for home. We drove to Chatanooga, TN and stopped for the night. There is nothing particular we want to see between here and home, although we remain open to whims and opportunities along the way. Perhaps a visit to Oz as we transit Tornado Alley. We made it through Alligator Alley unschathed so who's afraid of a little wind. Next stop Memphis.
Day 28
We spent the morning touring Savannah. What a beautiful city. We decided to take a guided tour, which once again, worked out well for us. You really get a feel for the city and it's history. While we were staying with Denise, we had the chance to see "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" which was filmed in Savannah. This whet my appetite to see the city, something I've wanted to do since I say the film the first time. The opening sequence of "Forest Gump" was filmed here. The tour bus stopped and a Forest Gump impersonator got on complete with red baseball cap and box of chocolates. He was looking for his bench, which has been moved indoors for safekeeping, as has the statue of the bird girl from "Midnight".
This was the first settlement in the colony of Georgia. The city's historical district is about 2 square miles and there are 22 park like squares nestled in between the narrow streets. Each square has a statue or a fountain, or both. Many of the buildings date back to the 18th Century. The streets are lined with live oaks and magnolia trees. Savannah is a port city on the Savannah River. While we were having lunch a huge container ship came steaming up the river. It dwarfed the surrounding buildings and docks as it went by. Looked like a scene from Gulliver's Travels. Note to self: must go back and spend a week here sometime. Not in the summer though.
We fixed dinner in camp and spent a restful evening sitting around the campfire talking over our day. Tomorrow is a big day... time to turn around and start heading west.
We spent the morning touring Savannah. What a beautiful city. We decided to take a guided tour, which once again, worked out well for us. You really get a feel for the city and it's history. While we were staying with Denise, we had the chance to see "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" which was filmed in Savannah. This whet my appetite to see the city, something I've wanted to do since I say the film the first time. The opening sequence of "Forest Gump" was filmed here. The tour bus stopped and a Forest Gump impersonator got on complete with red baseball cap and box of chocolates. He was looking for his bench, which has been moved indoors for safekeeping, as has the statue of the bird girl from "Midnight".
This was the first settlement in the colony of Georgia. The city's historical district is about 2 square miles and there are 22 park like squares nestled in between the narrow streets. Each square has a statue or a fountain, or both. Many of the buildings date back to the 18th Century. The streets are lined with live oaks and magnolia trees. Savannah is a port city on the Savannah River. While we were having lunch a huge container ship came steaming up the river. It dwarfed the surrounding buildings and docks as it went by. Looked like a scene from Gulliver's Travels. Note to self: must go back and spend a week here sometime. Not in the summer though.
We fixed dinner in camp and spent a restful evening sitting around the campfire talking over our day. Tomorrow is a big day... time to turn around and start heading west.
Day 27
Breakfast with Tom, then he guided us through a very beautiful trip across the barrier island to the mainland. Road lined with live oaks and palms. Very peaceful and serene. We stopped to look at a 2,000 year old live oak which as you might guess is huge. The branches grow out and eventually touch the ground to give the tree additional support. In 2,000 years, this tree has endured more than a few hurricanes and it's still standing.
We retraced our steps from two days before and crossed the border of Florida into Georgia. We've been in Florida for a week and greatly enjoyed our stay. Thanks again to Denise, David, Lynne and Tom for their gracious hospitality and assistance to two weary travelers.
We headed up the coast of Georgia and when it came time to find a camp, once again realized that it was Friday and Spring Break to boot. Persistence paid off though, and we scored a spot at a private campground on Tybee Island outside of Savannah. It's a neat little community with some funky bars and restaurants. The food wasn't spectacular, but we both managed to find something not fried for dinner.
Breakfast with Tom, then he guided us through a very beautiful trip across the barrier island to the mainland. Road lined with live oaks and palms. Very peaceful and serene. We stopped to look at a 2,000 year old live oak which as you might guess is huge. The branches grow out and eventually touch the ground to give the tree additional support. In 2,000 years, this tree has endured more than a few hurricanes and it's still standing.
We retraced our steps from two days before and crossed the border of Florida into Georgia. We've been in Florida for a week and greatly enjoyed our stay. Thanks again to Denise, David, Lynne and Tom for their gracious hospitality and assistance to two weary travelers.
We headed up the coast of Georgia and when it came time to find a camp, once again realized that it was Friday and Spring Break to boot. Persistence paid off though, and we scored a spot at a private campground on Tybee Island outside of Savannah. It's a neat little community with some funky bars and restaurants. The food wasn't spectacular, but we both managed to find something not fried for dinner.
Day 26
Spent the day and evening with Tom in Daytona Beach. Bev helped us book a hotel room there which overlooked the beach. Had lunch with Denise's son Matt. Enjoyed meeting him. Not surprisingly, a very nice young man. Denise and David can be proud. We had a great dinner at a Thai restaurant with Tom. I had fresh locally caught pompano... very good. Made it to bed by 3 am. Tomorrow we move on. Tom wants us to stay another day, but we gotta go.
Spent the day and evening with Tom in Daytona Beach. Bev helped us book a hotel room there which overlooked the beach. Had lunch with Denise's son Matt. Enjoyed meeting him. Not surprisingly, a very nice young man. Denise and David can be proud. We had a great dinner at a Thai restaurant with Tom. I had fresh locally caught pompano... very good. Made it to bed by 3 am. Tomorrow we move on. Tom wants us to stay another day, but we gotta go.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Day 25
This morning, we walked around the Castillo de San Marcos, an old Spanish fort in St. Augustine. It was built in 1672 and while it was attacked many times, was never taken by force. It was given away by treaty to the British and then the Americans. It stands guard over the entrance to the harbor at St. Augustine and the inland waterway. The walls are 14 - 20 ft. thick and are made of stone. It has it's own well to provide water for the soldiers during a siege. The design made it nearly impossible to attack successfully.
The city of St. Augustine was founded in 1655 and was the site originally explored by Ponce de Leon. The Fountain of Youth which is in one of the city parks may or may not be the real one. We didn't drink from it because the locals said we were probably beyond help and they didn't want to waste the water. We took a tour bus around the city after leaving the fort. It's a very interesting city and the architecture reflects the different civilizations who have inhabited it over the year. Since Spain held it for over 200 years, the Spanish influence is the most prevalent. There are lots of interesting old buildings and there's a story to go along with each.
That morning, we got a call from Tom Bohn. He was home after all, so we drove south for a few miles and got to see him after all. The Readers Digest used to have a feature entitled "The Most Unforgettable Character I Ever Met". Tom would be my contribution. He chose to be a flight attendant because he wanted to spend his life traveling and that's what he has done. He is one of the happiest people I've ever met. Always cheerful, a great attitude and a great laugh. He seems to have a huge gravitational force, when you spend time with him, you wind up living in his time/space. I can't keep up with him for very long, but it's fun trying. We met at his house in Ormand by the Sea and spent the night there. Adventures ensued. Around 4:30 am we finally turned in. More fun tomorrow.
This copy of Michelangelo's David was given to the city of St. Augustine. The city fathers thought...
it might be better to put it behind a protective hedge so as not to offend. Really?????
This morning, we walked around the Castillo de San Marcos, an old Spanish fort in St. Augustine. It was built in 1672 and while it was attacked many times, was never taken by force. It was given away by treaty to the British and then the Americans. It stands guard over the entrance to the harbor at St. Augustine and the inland waterway. The walls are 14 - 20 ft. thick and are made of stone. It has it's own well to provide water for the soldiers during a siege. The design made it nearly impossible to attack successfully.
The city of St. Augustine was founded in 1655 and was the site originally explored by Ponce de Leon. The Fountain of Youth which is in one of the city parks may or may not be the real one. We didn't drink from it because the locals said we were probably beyond help and they didn't want to waste the water. We took a tour bus around the city after leaving the fort. It's a very interesting city and the architecture reflects the different civilizations who have inhabited it over the year. Since Spain held it for over 200 years, the Spanish influence is the most prevalent. There are lots of interesting old buildings and there's a story to go along with each.
That morning, we got a call from Tom Bohn. He was home after all, so we drove south for a few miles and got to see him after all. The Readers Digest used to have a feature entitled "The Most Unforgettable Character I Ever Met". Tom would be my contribution. He chose to be a flight attendant because he wanted to spend his life traveling and that's what he has done. He is one of the happiest people I've ever met. Always cheerful, a great attitude and a great laugh. He seems to have a huge gravitational force, when you spend time with him, you wind up living in his time/space. I can't keep up with him for very long, but it's fun trying. We met at his house in Ormand by the Sea and spent the night there. Adventures ensued. Around 4:30 am we finally turned in. More fun tomorrow.
Day 24
So this morning we left our hotel and headed north on Hwy. A1A... we thought. Actually, we were headed south. We drove through heavy traffic for about an hour and then realized our mistake. Miami has lots of tall buildings and very heavy traffic all the time. On the west coast of Florida, if you keep the ocean on your right side, you can be fairly sure you're going north. But, if you can't see the ocean... Our original plan when we started out was to drop in on our friend Tom Bohn who lives north of Miami. But Tom wasn't home. So we just kept going to St. Augustine. Lynne had set us up with another great hotel deal (free this time) and we checked in, went to dinner and then off to bed. During the day, we passed the 5,000 mile mark on our trip odometer. 5,000 miles and we haven't turned around yet. Pretty good on a continent that's 3,000 miles across. I guess all that searching for frozen yogurt stands and nudie bars really added up. We planned to spend some time in St. Augustine next day. It's the oldest European settled city in North America as well as the oldest in terms of continuous habitation.
So this morning we left our hotel and headed north on Hwy. A1A... we thought. Actually, we were headed south. We drove through heavy traffic for about an hour and then realized our mistake. Miami has lots of tall buildings and very heavy traffic all the time. On the west coast of Florida, if you keep the ocean on your right side, you can be fairly sure you're going north. But, if you can't see the ocean... Our original plan when we started out was to drop in on our friend Tom Bohn who lives north of Miami. But Tom wasn't home. So we just kept going to St. Augustine. Lynne had set us up with another great hotel deal (free this time) and we checked in, went to dinner and then off to bed. During the day, we passed the 5,000 mile mark on our trip odometer. 5,000 miles and we haven't turned around yet. Pretty good on a continent that's 3,000 miles across. I guess all that searching for frozen yogurt stands and nudie bars really added up. We planned to spend some time in St. Augustine next day. It's the oldest European settled city in North America as well as the oldest in terms of continuous habitation.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
We left Fort Myers and drove across the everglades towards Miami. This road (we think) is the infamous Alligator Alley. Two lane blacktop surrounded by swamp on both sides. During the wet season (that's not now) people frequently see alligators on or beside the road. Folks told us the alligators like chicken, so we took one along in case we were attacked. We were approached by a large bull alligator and threw the chicken at him. The chicken chased him off. This was one bad ass chicken. It was surly and mean spirited. During the entire ride, it just sat in the back of the van glaring at us, making rude noises and dropping feathers all over everything. We were glad to be rid of it. I had argued for a french poodle as alligators are also fond of them. Howard has a soft spot for small dogs though. By the time the chicken left us, I think he regretted his stance.The first pictures below were taken at Big Cypress National Preserve along the way. Ranger explained that the gators like to stay close to the water now.
Next, we stopped at Gator Park where we took an air boat ride through the everglades. Saw more alligators in their native habitat. Fortunately, there was a guide to point them out or I don't think we would have seen any. He explained that alligators spend most of the day laying around doing nothing. They are not very sophisticated and their entire life consists to five activities - eating, pooping, sleeping, hunting and reproducing. Like many wild animals, they tend to be more active at night. They are cold blooded and need the sun's heat to maintain their bodily functions such as digestion.
The airboat ride was followed by a show featuring several gators, a giant scorpion, giant toad and a legless lizard (they look just like a snake). It was very interesting and we learned a lot about alligators. I won't bore you with everything, but we found out the the sex of an alligator is determined by the temperature while the eggs are incubating - not by chromosomes. If it's under 84 they are all females, if over 89, all males. The "sport" of alligator wrestling is actually derived from the Indian method of capturing them. The object is to tie the mouth closed and then turn them on their backs whereupon they pass out. This enabled the Indians to capture a gator, take him home, but not have to kill and eat him right away. They could keep what they were able to catch until one was needed for dinner.
Next, we drove on the Miami and met Bev's sister Lynne for drinks and lunch. She took us back to her place which is situated right on the waterfront with a great view of the city. It is an old hotel which has been converted to condos. Really nice, and ideally suited to her life style as a flight attendant. Good security, good neighbors and a 24hr. a day center of activity. While we were there, she hooked us up with a boat ride around the bay and let us do some laundry while we went for a swim in the pool. We had dinner at an Argentinian steak house nearby - unique and very good. Then she arranged a hotel room for us at a nearby hotel using some of her frequent stayer points. What a gal! Everyone in the complex knows Lynne. Not just the neighbors, but the staff.
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