Kayaking and Parks

After we left Ocean Springs we visited my aunt and uncle in Mobile.  They are 85 and 86 and really having a tough time at this age but we enjoyed a visit in their new assisted living apartment and had a nice lunch before traveling on down the road.  We experienced heavy rain as we moved east and south with cold temperatures and wind. The first night we finally found a hotel in Midway which is close to Tallahassee.  We were going to kayak at Rainbow Springs the next day but the weather was so inclement that we travelled further on down to Donnellon and kayaked Rainbow Springs.  It was warm clear fresh water and we basically at the river all to our selves.  The jones along the river were beautiful.  We saw hundreds of Anhinga’s, a bald eagle, many large turtles sunning themselves, blue, Tri-colored and great hero’s along with a Limpkin and Egrets.  It took us about three hours.  After we finished up there we headed to Myakka State Park which was south of Tampa.  It was windy and cool but we climbed the canopy tower and did a short walk.  Basically we saw many of the same birds but also a highlight was the Roseate Spoonbill!!  They say there were crocodiles there but it was cold and windy and we didn’t see one.  We almost ran out of gas in the park (poor planning on Dan’s part!!) so we cut the visit there short and headed for gas. We made arrangements to see Marie Rossman and her family the next day in the Naples area.  We spent the night in the Brandon area.  The next morning we headed to Naples where we spent four hours visiting Marie and meeting her three children and husband.  We enjoyed a good lunch and visit.  We decided to head on to Miami and go asking the Everglades National Park.  We stopped at the visitors center and viewed a wonderful film. Then we walked the fenced boardwalk and gazed at all the alligators and fish along the waterway!!  We decided to spend an extra night in Miami where we could drop off our rental car and take in some of South Beach.  It was a good decision.  Today we board the Norwegian Star for a transit of the Panama Canal.  This is our first easy to west trip. I love the history and marvels of the Canal.  We are packed up and awaiting the shuttle which we board at 10:00. For some reason our suitcases are fuller than when we began!!!  I guess that’s due to gifts from our son from Delta State, a new pair of sandals and some shoes for Dan and a Christmas sweatshirt I couldn’t resist!  I think another suitcase purchase is in our future!!  Bonvoyage🚢

Canopy walk at Myakka Park

 

Reddish Egret which we would have loved to see!!

Marie Rossman and her family 

Everglades National Park

We found a delicious Cuban restaurant in South Beach after riding the bus in from the airport and taking it to SB. 

Clean Miami beaches

Finally we are getting some sunshine!

The boardwalks were clean and beautiful full of lovely plants and bird sounds.