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Monday, November 21, 2005 -
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This morning we decided we would explore the Everglades. It was a beautiful morning but we concerned about the weather because rain was predicted for the afternoon. Everyone was there except for Mark. He will be flying into Forty Luaderdale on Tuesday night. We set out in two cars to make the trek to Shark Valley. After multiple vehicular obstacles, we arrived just in time to miss the tram tour. The next one wouldn't be departing for a few hours, so Gramma thought it was a grand idea to rent bicycles! We all agreed and set out for the fifteen mile trek through Shark Valley. Not sure why it is called Shark Valley because we saw plenty of ALLIGATORS! There are NO shortcuts on this 15 mile trail so we had to prep the kids for the ride. As it would turn out - they were the first ones back! Seven miles out there is a great lookout tower that can be climbed for a fabulous view of the sawgrass. It is an odd feeling to look around and see nothing manmade in any direction. We were exhausted when we returned to turn in our bikes. It had taken us almost exactly two hours to complete the course and we were all feeling it in our legs - poor Grayson had to peddle doubletime on his smaller bicycle. We grabbed a quick lunch and then headed back to the condo for some much needed R&R.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 -
Yester was reserved for a day of rest and relaxation at the condo. We all hung out at the pool and read and took it easy. I picked Mark up at the airport late last night and he is ready for some fun in the sun.
This morning we decided we would head out Alligator Alley (I75) about an hour to Billie's Swamp Safari in the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reserve. http://www.seminoletribe.com/safari. It was a pretty cool place. We thought it might be cheesy but it was really nice. I waited in an incredibly long line to get tickets for the airboat while everyone else explored the area. Phil, Caitlyn, and Luke had decide to come along with Mark, the kids and me. Once we had our airboat time we looked around outside. There we lots of alligators, snakes, turtles, birds and other animals there.
We hoped on the airboat at 1 pm and thoroughly enjoyed the 20 minute ride through the sawgrass. They gave us earplugs because the fan in the background is so loud. The boat also went deceivingly fast. It was very exhilarating! We had hoped to visit the Seminole Village Museum after the bboat ride but it was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. We headed back to the condo since Grayson was going to be going to the Miami Heat game that evening with Kellie, Phil, Granddaddy, and Caitlyn and Luke. It was a great day!
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