highlights and ho hums

Oh gee, who can remember all of the things that've happened since I last cozied up to this blog?? Apologies, apologies- we've been seeing people, had dodgy internet connections, and were distracted by the glories that are the southernmost bits of Florida: the Keys and of course, Everglades National Park.

First, I must extend a note of thanks to John and Leslie, who we visited for several days in Coconut Creek, Florida, for their kindness and generosity. We went to the Greek restaurant where she belly dances, and some strange force somehow possessed me to get up and shimmy along, as per her beckoning. O, the things we'll do when faced with intimidation and humiliation! Fortunately, no one spat or booed, so I returned to my seat with a modicum of dignity. We also went to Deerfield Beach and frolicked in the waves (I know, I know, you're thinking when will these two lay off the ocean already?), Andy and John worked in and on the Dolphin, cleaning, repairing and the like, and the laundry and pool facilities were taken advantage of. Yay!



I also saw my parents and some extended family for a day, which was a nice change of activities. Thank you Mom and Dad, for your gifts and generosity as well :)

Cruising further down the coast brought us through Miami, and a few noisy and bright Wal-Mart nights later, Andy and I found ourselves in the southernmost point of our trip, Key Largo. Honestly, there's not much to see as you're driving along Route 1, and just wasn't the vibrant tropical oasis we'd pictured in our minds. Ah, but not until we ventured into John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and we treated ourselves to snorkeling, something Andy had never done before, and I had done previously in Hawaii. It was fun, despite some murky water and blurred vision on my part, not to mention bafflement over a man-made wreckage re-creation that I was exclaiming over when I "found" it.



Everglades National Park did not disappoint, with alligators at our feet, swimming in the water, and hissing at us to leave their babies alone. The advisory is to stay at least 15 feet away, for your own safety, but I do have to say that we got quite a bit closer, and were chastised with only the tiniest bit bit of aggression on the part of our reptilian friends. In addition, as we drove from visitor center to visitor center or "hiked" along the various short trails, we saw plenty of ospreys, turkey vultures, ibises, herons, and egrets, plus the occasional loggerhead turtle and a frog or two. It was quite pleasant, spending a night in a park campground and being surrounded by total darkness and only the hum of a nearby camper's generator rather than street lights or landscapers or racing cars disturbing our sleep.

The only guided/adventure-y activity Andy and I participated in was our last day in the Everglades, on the Gulf side: a four-hour-long ranger guided canoe tour amid the Ten Thousand Islands. We were with about six other pairs, and I couldn't even remember the last time I'd canoed, so it took us a while to work with each other, but it was a beautiful day and we appreciated the opportunity to explore where we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. Those sore shoulders the next day were worth it, especially since I got to see my first ever in-the-flesh dolphins (and have since seen more, this morning in St. Augustine).



Our Everglades wildlife forays being the culmination of our trip, we're now headed north, and praise jesus, out of Florida. Yes, there were highlights and some nice beaches, and we did spend over a month there, but it is still, to me, one large retirement community with nary the character and personality I've found in most other states. The sameness of the scenery becomes grating after awhile, and no sooner had we crossed the border earlier today back into Georgia then we were greeted with the quaint villages and abandoned buildings that we'd come to appreciate and miss. Alas, whilst in the Sunshine State, there were no sightings of panther, bobcat, or manatee, as numerous signs informed and warned us about, but our animal tally wound up being quite satisfying nonetheless.

One last little tidbit: If you ever find yourself on Route 17 northbound approaching Brunswick, Georgia, please stop at the Goasis rest stop. I have just visited the nicest, cleanest, most private on-the-road restroom that I have ever seen, and there've been many.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying their March!