The promised breakfast was indeed quite amazing at Natalie and Jeff’s compound this morning. Lots of fruit, toast and bagels, yogurt and pancakes and eggs with grits and potatoes. The first crew — 10 of us — were done by 8:45, just in time for the next group — what appeared to be a family of 5 and two other groups. Erica counted 8 airstreams and trailers outside, so clearly this was a real operation — the ability to house MANY people each night.
We got on the road early and made our way to the Everglades, cruising along the Tamiami Trail, aka alligator alley, to the first National Park Visitor Center at Shark River. We decided to walk the trail instead of taking the tram, and were rewarded with so many varieties of wildlife. Lots of alligators sunning themselves very close to the path, loggerhead and box turtles, and gorgeous birds — ibis, great blue and baby blue herons, wood stork and others without names that I can remember! It was so amazing to have them so close at hand and available to see and study without fences. Of course the Everglades are threatened, as are so many natural habitats, but with the number of visitors we came across today paying a day rate, perhaps some of the money will go to what’s needed to protect this wonderful natural habitat.
A little further along road/trail, which continued to offer up hundreds of alligators and birds alongside the road, we turned off for some lunch in Everglades City — The Island Cafe proved to have the best fish sandwich ever, and we were pleased to see the dual capabilties of the staff.
Naples was our next stop and we had read that the city beach was beautiful so headed there. The sand is fine, and these beaches have lots of shells, and the water was just warm enough for Erica to take a dip. I simply warmed up my new beach towel.
We found our airbnb easily enough in Bonita Springs and after settling in with Anne and Whiley we headed to the beach for sunset. A beer on the beach and a perfect setting were just the appetizer for dinner at Coconut Jack’s. We are back early in our room, and plan an early night (despite the Oscars — no TV in the house), so that we can head to Sanibel for low tide in the morning.
Not a bad day in paradise.
I think I know that look – you’re thinking “My back yard needs an alligator.”