Wednesday, January 23~The Naples Zoo~

Today it is all about Sharon, not really!  But it is her birthday today and I did make her favorite breakfast, pancakes.  We went to the Naples Zoo today and it is a very nice zoo.  We went to the animal show when we first got there and were introduced to a two-toed sloth, a python, skunk, kinkajou, barn owl and a beautiful ocelot.  We then headed to a lake named after the world's largest lake, Lake Victoria, for our Primate Cruise.  We boarded a small pontoon boat and went past islands that were inhabited with siamangs, gibbons and squirrel monkeys.  It was very enjoyable and Betty and Andy like the fact that there was no walking involved.  We also saw several honey badgers, native to South Africa but looked similar to the badgers found in North America.  Betty fed a giraffe and Sharon and Betty rode a camel.  Betty was quite comical as she rode Tobias the camel.  The zoo also had zebras, lions, cheetahs, Bengal tigers, a black bear and several species of African hoof stock. The most interesting of the hoof stock was the Zebu, a miniature cow, that is native to Africa and is descended from undomesticated cattle.  We wanted to eat at Outback but it didn't open until 4 so we went to TGI Fridays and Sharon had the Decadent Brownie Sundae for her birthday dessert.

Slowest animal, the two-toed sloth

Kinkajou

African crested porcupine

One of my favorites, the barn owl

The always endearing, striped skunk or pole cat

On board the Primate Expedition Cruise

Siamang

This shows the other cruise boat on Lake Victoria

Ring-tailed lemurs

Buff-cheeked gibbon

The very rare Honey Badger, only found in 3 other zoos

Betty wanted to feed the giraffe

We also talked her into riding Tobias the camel

Muntjacs and a Blackbuck

 When we returned home the sun was actually out but before we could get to the pool it had disappeared behind the clouds.  It is 6 o'clock and Andy is asleep on the couch, Betty just came out in here night gown and Sharon and I are busy on our laptops.  Happy Birthday Sharon, hope you enjoyed your day!!

Tuesday, January 22

Today was an easy day, trying to pace ourselves.  Betty wanted to make French toast for breakfast so that is what we did.  After breakfast Betty spent about 2 hours rewriting her journal of our travels thus far.  So we relived each day until she finally had each detail written just the way she remembered it.  Andy and I walked around the complex checking out the pool and the Sam Snead Club House.  My neighbor, Beth, made my day when she called to let me know that after a walk through our house there were no broken or frozen pipes from the frigid temperatures back home.  Plans for the day were simple, dinner at Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar to watch the game at 6:30.  It was one of only a few places that gets the Big Ten Network.  Sharon and I did manage to work in a little tennis before dinner. I know it has been years since I played any tennis and Sharon said the same.  We actually did better than we expected and spent 45 minutes hitting the ball around.  Betty tagged along a was our ball girl for a while before she got bored of watching our extreme tennis skills.  We may pay later for our exuberance at trying so hard not to look as though it has been 10+ years since we last played. We decided not to keep score because neither of us could jump the net if we won.

Boston's was great.  We started with bacon wrapped steak skewers as an appetizer for tip off.  The Buckeyes were playing Iowa.  We were seated in a booth and the game was on one of the TVs over the bar.  Our entrees came at halftime and dessert helped bring the Bucks home during the last 5 minutes.  Next time, though, we have to find a place with a dance floor to keep Betty occupied.  I thought she might cause a riot when a couple blocked our view of the tv screen.  This was quite amusing because of the fact that I don't think she watched one minute of the game yet she felt compelled to speak out on our behalf and had the waitress ask them to move.  During the last 3 minutes she must have asked, "how much time left now?" at least 10 times!  Yep, Betty is not one to sit still for very long. Tomorrow we will try to wear her out at the Naples Zoo.

January 21~Everglades City~

Checking out our wingspan

Lunch at the Havana Cafe

We left our condo around 11 and headed south on Rt. 41.  We passed the exit to Marco Island and Betty immediately wanted to know why we weren't turning.  We explained that since it was early we thought we would take an air boat ride, her answer "ugghh!".  We turned off of 41 and drove into Everglades City.  Andy and I had been there in 2004 when he was rehabbing after his hip replacement.  We saw the cabin we stayed in and the dock where we watched a sunset.  Sharon got a picture of the National Park sign and we went into the visitors center.  We were immediately asked if we were ready to sign up for a boat tour.  We explained that we were going to go on an air boat ride.  They were very good at explaining that their tour was a much better savings with better scenery and a longer tour.  We signed up.  After a good lunch at the Havana Cafe we boarded the 6 passenger boat for what was our own private charter.  James, our captain, gave us tons of information about the ecosystem that we were traveling through and was very knowledgeable about the trees and birds.  I think Betty enjoyed this boat ride much more than if we would have put her in an air boat.  When we returned Sharon and I climbed the 120 steps to the top of an observation tower to check out the area.

Captain James casting off

Our first bird was a white ibis. Other we saw: Belted Kingfisher, Tri-color Heron, Black Vultures plus the Brown Pelicans

Speeding through the shallows, hang on to your hats!

A Brown Pelican

Entering the Everglades National Park

The channel narrowed as we went deeper into the mangrove forest, we learned that  mangroves are found throughout the world and there are 3 species found in Florida, the red, white and black.

At the top of the observation tower, overlooking Everglades City.

View from the top of the observation tower

Ice cream stop at the General Store

After a quick stop for ice cream we headed back north to Marco Island in hopes of seeing a pretty sunset.  Our first stop on Marco Island was to secure our reservations on Friday night's Marco Island Princess Sunset Cruise.  We were told that best place to see the sunset was at the Sunset Grill at the end of the island.  It did not look like it was going to be a very good sunset because it was so cloudy but as we drove it appeared to be clearing a little so we pulled in and parked at the Sunset Grill.  We got a seat out on the balcony with a beautiful view of the beach and ocean and the many dark clouds that were hiding the sun.  Everything was perfect except for the wind and the absence of a visible sunset.  Maybe next time.  We kept reminding each other that we were much warmer here than if we were home!

Waiting for the sunset that never happened!

Monday, January 21

Had a quiet afternoon after our morning tour of Naples and lunch.  The sun came out for a while and we planned to go to the pool.  Of course before we could get ready the sun went behind the clouds and the wind picked up so we just walked to the pool and visited the exercise room.  Betty immediately hopped on the stationary bike and started pedaling.  We pushed start and it set itself for 30 minutes and recorded the distance.  We told her she had to ride a mile....and she did, all in 4 minutes.  And so the challenge had been issued.  Sharon got on and rode her mile in 3 minutes which meant I also had to give it a go.  I fell about 4 seconds shy of the record so I come home with the silver medal in cycling.

Adjusting the foot pedals

Our pool

This morning we are waiting on someone to come talk to Sharon about her Plan with Tan Vacation program.  When we successfully get rid of him we are going to drive down to Marco Island and maybe ride on an air boat through the swamp, the dirty 'ole swamp as Betty calls it.  Hopefully we will also be able to see a beautiful sunset while we are there.  Enjoy your Arctic Blast!!

Sunday, January 20

Arriving at the Ft. Meyers Airport  

Walking to the rental car shuttle stop.  Let the complaining begin!

Well we arrived in Florida yesterday around 10:30 a.m. and finally pulled out in our rental car close to noon. We did not have a very good experience with Advantage Car Rental.  They were located off the airport  grounds and we waited over an hour at the shuttle stop.  When the first van arrived it could only take one family of four because the large van was broken and we wouldn't fit.  The driver explained that he would be right back but that we might want to call his office because they didn't have any cars anyway.  Sharon immediately called and was assured that we would have a car.  That of course was contingent on whether or not we actually could get from the airport to the car lot.  While waiting we did become good friends with others at the shuttle stop.  A couple from Chicago that were going to meet a sister that was flying into Miami who was coming from Zurich, Switzerland and a father and daughter, the father had taught in South Vienna, Ohio and another couple that were Floridians also from Chicago.  Eventually our driver did make it back, with the now unbroken van, to pick us us but had to face a very unhappy crowd.  Betty, who had promised that she wasn't going to express her displeasure barely got sat down before she lit into the driver.  He eventually, very apologetically, told Betty that he was only the driver and she let up....a little.  Once on the road in our rental car we were a little happier.  We made a stop to see the husband of Betty's cousin. She had passed away last year.  Uncle Art had a very nice house and a water front house and Betty really enjoyed her visit.  We had a late lunch at a nearby Cracker Barrel before heading south to Naples.  Our condo is called Greenlinks Golf Resort.  It is a very nice 3 BR, 2 BA with a screened lanai that overlooks a small pond that sports a sign warning of alligators and asking us not to swim with them.  Sharon and I went on a grocery run while Andy and Betty rested.

Recharging

Our lanai with a view

The master bedroom, Andy is the master

The alligator pond, but Andy said he hasn't seen any alligators

This morning we decided to drive up and explore the city of Naples.  We parked near a beach and Betty dipped her toes in the gulf and collected some sea shells.  We then drove down Gulf Coast Blvd and saw many beautiful beach homes that were absolutely gorgeous.  We saw several for sale and when we got back to the condo Sharon looked up the prices and one home was priced at $18 M.  We had a nice lunch at TGI Fridays and are now relaxing  at the condo and deciding if we are going to walk to the pool. It has been cloudy but today the temperature is a little warmer than yesterday at 80 degrees.

One of the beaches in Naples

The entrance to Lehy Resort

Saturday, January 12~ ERT Training~

I returned home from Delaware last night around 8:30 pm and this morning I was up bright and early at 6 a.m.  Sharon and I went to the Huntsville United Methodist Church, near Indian Lake, to take the basic training for the UMCOR Early Response Team.  This is a team of trained volunteers that go in after any natural disaster and provide help to the survivors.  Our mission statement is to provide a caring Christian presence in the aftermath of disaster.  The first ERT team was created in the mid 1990s but was revamped again in 2007 with new protocols to aid in coordinating our efforts with other volunteer organizations.  As team members we only respond after the initial disaster has occurred, following the EMS and only after being invited.  Our work would include:  tarping roofs, debris removal, chainsaw work, cleaning out flooded homes as well as helping to manage donated items, observing the survivor's needs and listening to survivors as they begin the healing process.  Deployments generally last 5 days with no more than 3 days working at the actual disaster site.  We are pretty excited to be a part of such a team and will be assembling our buckets and "go bags" of personal supplies to be ready for our first assignment.  We need to provide our own hard hats, gloves, breathing masks, safety glasses, boots, coveralls and some basic tools like hammers, crow bars, ect. Some of the larger churches have their own teams of 7-14 members and their own tool trailers but since Sharon and I are the only ones from our church, we will be placed with team members from other churches.  We also learned that when we go on site we take our own food, water and gasoline and sometimes even our own shelter (tents) because we must be self-sufficient, as we do not want to create more of a burden to the already devastated area. If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming part of this team you can contact me for more information.  You do not need to be a member of the United Methodist Church or any church for that matter, you only need a desire to help others in their time of need.  I think they said there would be another training session in March and I thought they said it would be held in Columbus.  The cost was $35 which covers your background check and materials for the class.  Our class was from 9-4 p.m.

I did get home with just enough time to take down our outdoor nativity set and enjoy at least a little of our unseasonably warm January weather.  Hopefully, I can get the remainder of our outdoor tree lights down tomorrow before the temperatures start dropping again.  I pray everyone has a great Sunday and a wonderful week!

Friday, January 11

If you were wondering, I just returned from a quick 4 day trip to Delaware.  I called it my "Santa Run" because I was delivering the kid's presents that they were unable to get when they didn't make it out for Christmas. Peg, Trish's mother in law, made the trip with me which made the trip much more enjoyable and also filled the car to capacity.  Poor Luke was recovering from a bad chest cold and he had been to the doctor who put him on an antibiotic and a breathing treatment regimen. He wasn't too thrilled about the latter.  We had a great time, the kids loved having a second Christmas and yesterday we went to the outlet malls near Rehobeth.  I was a little disappointed when I got home to see all of our pretty snow gone.

Grandmas got to take Lily to her gymnastics and her swimming class

Lily had to walk the plank!!

Luke really liked the quilt Aunt Sara made.  It was all different super heros.

Christmas in January