Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

The Everglades is one of our country's most unique National Parks. People mistakenly think it is a swamp but really it is not. It is a river that continuously flows (no stagnant water). There is such a wonderful variety of birds; osprey, rosette spoonbill, wood storks, great blue heron, purple gallinude just to name a few. This tree is lovely Mahogany which are very rare anymore. The American crocodile and alligator were both one on the endangered species list but are making a comeback thanks to efforts to save these two critter who both reside in this park. Although there were not the number of birds we have seen in the past (a bit disappointed) we did love our stay as we always have in the past. Yes, there is elect available now in Flamingo Campground and still dry camping in Long Pine Key.

While visiting the Everglades National Park we learned there had been a Nike Missile base built there back in the mid-60's. That's right folks. They just opened up the site to tours 3 years ago so it's new news. We did go on tour and yes, they did have missiles but they were kept in these 'barns'. They had Nike Hercules and Ajax missiles. This was all installed of course because of the Cuba missile crisis of the early 60's. All missiles are gone now but the bunkers are still there and the barns are still there too. Very interesting. Of course the water table is too high to build underground silos so they built these barns in place of underground silos.

While staying out on the "Keys" we did take one day to drive to the other end. This was due north of the turn off back to Miami. Went as far as Crocodile Lake (didn't find any visitor center or place to park). We drove around and did see a flock of white pelicans but no crocks. Then stopped at John Pennekamp State Park. There is a day fee and the day we chose was cool so very few visitors. Picked the year when they were closed for camping so they could restore their sites. We had a nice picnic lunch and enjoyed the crazy trees and what bird life we could find.

The End of the Road - Highway 1 ends at Mile Marker 0 at Key West! A good day was had by all at Key West! An old town with very narrow streets and wild chickens and roosters roaming about but somehow not ending up as road kill. We did go the most southern point in Continental USA and stayed to watch the red sails in the sunset! What a blast! This town has everything and we walked a good part of it stopping at The Little White House (no tour this time) and popping in and out of the little shops. Never did get our Cheeseburger in paradise but we did stop to eat in one of their quaint little places. Their dock is now set up for cruise ships. All along this dock are performers and booths (looked a lot like Victoria in the summer) - sword swallower; fire eater etc. Crazy but fun. We sat and watched this crazy crowd and thought it a great idea to send this ship along with actual red sails to give us a show as the sun went down.

From Big Cypress Swamp to the famous Florida Keys! That's right, after 10 years we have finally be able to get reservations for 5 glorious days in "the Keys"! What a treat too. We had driven down here from the Everglades on past trips but this time we are at the Jolly Roger RV park with its own private dock on the gulf side. Nice park with lots of trees (all sorts). Nice enough park and centrally located. This park is in Marathon which is about mid way down the keys. There is 126 miles from start to finish at Key West and we are about the 60 miles marker so good distance. So different than any place else with so many bridges and so narrow islands but still limited visibility of the water! Warmer than anywhere else at this time of year though so that is a very good thing and the main reason we are down here!

The Everglades National Park is one of my most favorite places in the whole country {In the Wintertime]. Never been here in summer but love it in the winter. It is so unique and different and the ecosystem so dependent on it's surroundings as other parks are too but not quite as sensitive as this one. Shark Valley is a small section of this vast national park with a lot of wildlife right along the walkway. We were surprised there were not more birds but did see my beautiful little purple gallinude. He is a cousin to the coot and common moorhen. pretty little thing with an array of colors; purple, blue, green, yellow and red! Lovely with a little tuft of white for his behind end! Our timing was good since we had pea soup fog in early morning hours and later in evening much needed rain again! What is not to like.  The drive down Monroe Station which is usually filled with wildlife still had some (last time  here we saw a wood stork with a frog hanging out of it’s mouth) but this time

Here are a few our wonderful sightings! The female anhinga is in her mating plumage and she was replying to her mate over in the trees. Great Blue Heron looks as if his mating plumage is on as well. The gator happens to be Elmo from our campground at Monument Lake. He was sort of hanging out in the water like they do. Just love seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat! They all have their own purpose and seem to know where they belong. So peaceful and inspiring to stand  by quietly  and just watch and listen...

Whenever one door closes a window is opened? Isn't that the way the saying goes? On our journey down to Midway Campground in the Big Cypress Nat'l Preserve we learned (at the gas station by a fellow traveler) that the campground was full. Now what do we do? Earl being as resourceful as he is called the ranger station (fortunately we had been here before an kept the brochure with the phone #). He suggested we try Monument Lake Cmpgrd since Midway has been so full lately. Midway has water and elec w/dump station. Monument lake is dry camping. We came on in to this campground and "OH My Goodness" We were so pleased! We are camped right up next to this beautiful lake. It is so breathtakingly beautiful especially with this sunset! Who would have thought! We did meet Elmo; on the three resident alligators and some other friendly campers. Lovely place and although we loved Midway this is farther from hwy (although not by much) so a very peaceful.

A pretty sunset from the land of Peace River! While out enjoying my daily walk by the river I spotted this hawk sitting on top of this tree watching the moon come up! Lovely, lovely place. Have always enjoyed our stays at this park immensely!

The Florida most people relate to are all the beautiful beaches! Sarasota is one of those areas that is just beautiful!. Love this area and the ride out to Longboat Key, a penninsula just adjacent to Sarasota. A bit of trivia for those who don't know; my Great Aunt lived in Sarasota for many, many years. She passed away at the ripe old age of 93 and lived in the house her hubby built for her back in the early 1950's! The house is still standing although it would appear to have not been cared for the past few years. Although she has been gone sine 1981 I still remember her address from corresponding with her for so many years (all the time I was growing up)... Lovely place and I certainly understand why she loved this town.

Meet our newest member of the family! Isn't he adorable. Just found him here at Peace River TTN. Richard Robinson is the artist and his birds are wonderful! Just love passing by his coach and looking at all his wonderful birds but this one stole our hearts and has now come to live with us. ha!  What shall we name him???

Here's to good friends, this day was very special. My girlfriend Peggy and her hubby Joe flew down for day from Georgia to hang out in Tampa area! Picked them up at airport and headed for one of my new favorite spots - De Soto county park on Clearwater peninsula! 1st thing we spotted was the beautiful osprey guarding his morning's catch! On the beach was the gorgeous Great Blue Heron. We had the best day just hangning out on this beach; walking and talking and catching up! Couldn't help but laugh here we were together on gulf coast in Florida when we both grew up in southern California and used to go to beaches out there.

To our surprise sister Karen and friend Jeff paid us a little visit on New Years Eve and dropped in for a little visit. We attended the party at the park in Orlando TTN and danced the night away with a great group! Not only was the music perfect but the food and people we joined were perfect too. Really had a great time. Next day we took Karen and Jeff to Blue Springs to see manatees and had a thrill watching this bald eagle catch his lunch time snack. Just scooped up this fish with its talons and headed for a little privacy up in a forest of trees. Wow! You don't get to see that every day! A few alligators were out sunning themselves along with a few turtles too. A lot of manatees although temps had warmed up a bit so not too many in springs.

Christmas Day was spent with good friends Sonny & Carol Mattice, Dave and brother John. Mattice's had us all over for a wonderful meal! A very nice time was had by all... Another day we took ride over to Clearwater, FL. Lovely area and although a few clouds in the sky the temps were warm . Found a few of these fish on the beach. Not thousands like in AR but still mysterious!

Our drive out to Clearwater included a drive thru at Fort De Soto County Park. Wow! This was a BEAUTIFUL park! Found this kite boarder(?) airborne.. how fun. They were having such a good time racing around in the water. It was fun just watching from the shore. Found their campsites to be large with water and elec. Very, very nice... with a very nice $ to go along with it. Wonderful bike/hike trails; pet area, right on the gulf. What's not to like? On line access. Loved it but we were just taking a look see...