Florida Sunshine!

We just returned from a week in Naples Florida with my step-mom Debby and her friend Phil.  Wow!  It was a much different world than ours; flat, green, lush, with tons of sky and sea and flora and fauna to keep us entertained.  It was soooo good to see Deb, and to spend so much time with her and Phil.  They were lovely hosts, and we had a great, great time.
Here are some views, with subtitles to tell the stories of our adventures.

We are in Florida!

Debby and Phil welcome us to their lovely winter home

Hyde Park - where Debby and Phil winter

One of the wooden boardwalks to the beach from the condo. 

I dipped my feet in the Gulf!  The sea was rough in Deb and Phil's opinion.

Orchids grow in trees everywhere.  Two different-colored ones grew in this tree.

Dinner at North Beach

Steamed Mussels and a Cesar Salad.  Mmm.

Geared up to take a kayak paddle trip.  Our guest pass allowed us to do this for free.

Ready?  Come on!

On the water!  Do I look like Hunter S. Thompson?

A fabulous, eerie, reflective world

We saw birds of all kinds.  We think this was a heron variety.

Where do the water and the sky meet?  I reflect.....

We loved wending up the tight corridors, rather than the broad waters

Mangrove root systems

Egret

Fred, the Hyde Park Alligator.  We saw various alligators repeatedly over time, but Fred was the best viewing and biggest.

Pretty tree, though I don't know what it is.

Banyan Tree

view from our restaurant window in Naples

I want to name this alligator Mike Miller, and wish I could get it for him

downtown Naples, Florida - one view, anyway

Breezy day on the Naples Pier.

I am going to stop here, because it's late.  I will bring you more tomorrow.  Goodnight!