It’s the middle of February all ready! Happy Valentine’s Day. Even if your single, celebrate with best friend, you!
Category Archives: animals
Farewell South Beach
Well it was my last day in South Beach. I finally got to spend a little time with my favorite cousin. Kathy and I had lots of fun growing up but we haven’t seen too much of each other as adults.
Kathy picked me up in front of my resort and we went in search of someplace to have lunch off the strip finally settling on a little deli style place where we could eat at a table in front.
My afternoon was spent packing up and roaming the strip. I ran into some of the homeless folks that I’d gotten used to meeting on my walks. I was touched and surprised when one grabbed me and hugged me and wished me well.
For my last evening I decided to treat myself to a salad and shrimp cocktail right on Ocean Drive.
The shrimp looked like mini lobster tails and were delicious. I rounded out my healthful meal with one glass of chardonnay. I got sticker shock when I got the bill. After I added the tip it came to $108.00! Wow! I could eat a lot of steak in Boston for that. But it was worth it.
The next morning my cab ($40.00 including tip) picked me up on time and delivered me to the airport with time to spare.
All too soon I was winging back to the cold northeast but at least my furry roommates would be glad to see me.
Gator Wrestling Anyone?
Once we returned from air boat ride we followed the signs to the gator wrestling pit. This was in a different place from the old pit where I saw J Mark do his performance.
The new pit had a cover so if the rain started only the wrestler would get wet. The audience would stay nice and dry. There were tip boxes placed along the fence.
We had a lady wrestler that I’d never seen before. I don’t think she was ever on the Gator Boys show but I could be wrong. I may have missed an episode or two.
She did the usual tricks, nothing new. After the show you could have your picture taken with a baby alligator.
I have to admit to feeling a bit let down. My last visit has so much emotion attached to it because J Mark passed away after I’d seen his show. As a result this visit left me feeling kind of flat. I would have liked to see one of the show’s principal’s make an appearance. But that was not to be on this day.
The air boat ride was good, especially with the iguana at the end but I’ve been spoiled by going out on the smaller 6 person air boats. Now the big Holiday Park boats don’t have the same thrill as before.
All I can say is they do good work, rescuing alligators and deserve support. I’m sure I’ll continue to keep them on my South Florida activity list.
Return to Everglades Holiday Park
The rain finally let up on Tuesday….sort of. It was still gray and overcast but I was scheduled for the Everglades tour. A big double Decker bus worked it’s way down Ocean Drive and stopped right in front of the Crescent Resort. My ride had arrived.
I climbed to the open air top deck but the ride was only to the ticket office. When it was my turn I was directed to a smaller van operated by “Luis”. When we finally headed out he had a full load. It was a good thing we were in the van too . The skies opened up and it began to pour!
Just before we reached Everglades Holiday Park the rain stopped. It was still very overcast but at least it wasn’t raining. Even if it started to rain again, the airboats at Holiday Park as covered.
Our pictures were taken as we stood inline and then it was time to board.
I passed the time waiting getting a kick out of the local grackle. They were into everything!
After a brief safely talk we were on our way.
The first thing I spotted was an Anhinga, the “snake bird” of the Everglades. They call it that because of its long neck.
Next up were the cormorants perched on the warning sign.
With no sun, alligators were in short supply. We only saw one.
But we had fun with a family of Purple Gallinule.
These funny birds walk on top of the vegetation.
We had a whole family join us including a pretty young chick.
On the way back to the dock we spotted a huge iguana perched in the trees.
He was a beautiful specimen on the one hand, but kind of depressing on the other as this is an invasive species. Along with pythons they are wreaking havoc on the native animals of the Everglades.
New Tags
I’m so excited. (Believe me it doesn’t take much). I started using custom luggage tags a couple of years ago and they have made spotting my luggage easy and they are great conversation starters.
My first tag was of Rocky. The picture wasn’t great. I was still getting the hang of creating these little gems.
Then I upgraded to a better picture. Rocky doesn’t look very happy , does he. He hates when I pull the luggage out.
I’ve got more luggage now so I needed more tags so I’ve added some of Buddy.
The finished product has my name and cell # so if my luggage does get lost I can be contacted and reunited.
Aren’t they cute. I just love them! Can’t wait to get the new order!