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!