April 6th

Sitting in the living room last night trying to decide what to do today, Sheila was practicing her "southern" accent. I had to say "Why bother? Everyone you've met at the swimming pool, restaurants, stores, and during shopping forays in the malls have been from New England." I guess she figured I was right, 'cause now she's back to her normal accent.

Today was a "Let's see if we can get lost" day. I called an old neighbor from Salem who had invited us down to see them, so when Dick answered, I told him to come out in his driveway and help us carry our luggage in. There was a dead silence for a few minutes while he recovered from having unannounced house guests. We were actually in Estero. We hope to see them at some point while we're still here.

Decided to go south on Hwy 41 from Estero and went as far as Everglades City. Nice drive thru Naples and found a couple of places we want to visit in Naples the next time we head south from Estero. Want to visit the Historic District and a place called Tin City that's filled with little tourist traps, etc. We've been there before and enjoyed both places.

Continued past Naples, looking for a place to take an airboat ride thru the Everglades. Finally found a place and were really happy with the ride. The ride lasted about an hour and was well worth the $40 tickets per person.

While we were at the airboat place, our guide suggested that we go to a place in Everglades City to eat called the Triad Restaurant and we weren't disappointed. Great food and highly recommend the place. When you get to Everglades City, take a right at the Circle K gas station and follow the road to the restaurant. Those were the actual directions in their brochure. The city is small enough, you definitely won't miss the place. After today's excursions, we have now put 1005 miles on the Mercedes since we left Salem. That doesn't include the miles on the Auto Train. K

Hi all, really enjoyed the airboat ride in the Everglades. The area is very beautiful and seemed to have a spiritual quality. Our guide was native American, and when I asked how long he'd been doing this he said 15 months, oh well, better than 15 minutes.
He was very knowledgeable, said had owned a constructon business but with the decline in the economy came back home and started this business.
We shared the ride with a gentleman and his young daughter from Germany.
I asked what would provoke an alligator to attack, the guide said the color red, I said," it's a good thing I'm wearing orange." He said they have never attacked the air boat but then again no one has tried to make pets of them and feed them. Ken and I nicknamed these two Ken and Sheila.
After going to Everglade City we came back to Estero, changed clothes and went for a swim, it felt soooooo good, temp 86. Tomorrow temp is going to be hot 88 and humid, Thursday as well and then Friday to be rain. So far our adventure in Florida has been wonderful fun, which we hope to continue.
Tomorrow plan to find a cap for Ken, he's got a sunburned scalp, and a noodle for aqua aerobics for me. They have a formal aqua aerobics at the pool M-W-F that I'd like to take advantage off. After walking around Epcot I think the bursitis in my hips returned, pool activity makes it feel so much better. S