Road trip around Florida Everglades – Day 4
We leave behind the beautiful Florida Keys and head back toward Miami. Two people told us to take the fast freeway to our next destination, and avoid the ‘boring’ Everglades.
We met a lovely inspiring couple when we visited Macdonalds for a bite. They insisted that we use the ‘boring’ route since we would be able to see so many things, including alligators and deer. “Your son will love it.” They said. After following their advice, I am so glad that I chose to listen to positive people.
When we travel we often ‘wing it’. We always want to enjoy the freedom of choosing what to explore and when to change our plans. Through that, we have been able to reduce the likelihood of missing places. The random stops are always definitely fulfilling. So I was pretty pleased to read the Billboards and stop at Miccosukee Indian Village.
After our own personal wrestling with baby alligators, it is suddenly mid-afternoon and we have to push on.
Now the Everglades are gorgeous. There are not too many places to stop at. However, when you do stop, be keen on where you tread. There are so many alligators on the roadsides, in swampy areas, and in sawgrass reeds.
If you like taking photos, take some time to stop and look past the Coca-cola colored waters, and just admire the beauty of all God has created in this part of the world.
As we proceeded with our trip, we made a stop by some small bridge. We were amazed at the different species of fish that swarmed the waters. They were so many.
Like most of Florida attractions, there are no warning signs leading to tourist attractions. Even this tiny Post Office had no sign leading to it.
I am sure there were several drivers 5 minutes after us who avoided a nasty collision as one guy madly came to a halt instead of just traveling a mile down the road, and making a safe U-turn – like we did.
We then headed toward the coast to a lovely little town of Naples. I unfortunately nearly ran through a red light. I found myself half way into the middle of an intersection.
In the USA, I have to drive on the side of the road that I am not used to and pay attention to traffic lights that are not positioned along the road as I am used to. The painted lines are also way back. Most often, I find myself driving right at the edge of the road and so I have to concentrate so much when driving.
There is one tourist strip along the way. It is filled with lovely holiday makers and snowbirds. Most are doing some shopping or having a bite.
I have to confess, I have never in my entire life seen so many people, (especially men) with enormous tummies as in the USA. But as we eat out, I have noticed that they always serve fried food, steaks and enormous side serves everywhere we go. I tend to admire any slim person in America since I feel like they have so much self-control.
Apparently, the main street of Naples is filled with traffic. We take abut an hour to get back from the beach to the main road, and now it is past 5 p.m.
We finally find our way to Captiva. To get here you have to go over a toll bridge to Sanibel and then drive for another 40 minutes. We find a place we think we can park for the night and we head off to get some dinner. Neither of us is really hungry. We both say we would like a pub scene, like the English or Irish pubs, where you can sit at a bar and talk to people. There are few and far between in the USA, and we miss them. We end up at a restaurant that has crab races on.
We both say we would like a pub scene, like the English or Irish pubs, where you can sit at a bar and talk to people. There are few in the USA, and we miss them since they are far between here. We end up at a restaurant that has crab races on. But we get there just as they are about to start so we can’t join in.
The kids are given bazookas to blow. The guy who runs it is really quite a prat and he won’t give my son a bazooka because we are late. “Come back Thursday,” he says. My over-tired son gets tears in his eyes. The guy is really rude. He has spares and they are free. What really is the harm?
So we watch the crab races. Then as they are packing up some-one gives my son a bazooka. I sit and have a glass of wine and my son sits at a table and plays with his iPad. The bar is full of retired snow-birds thawing out their bones. There are a couple of families but they are eating and there is no-one to talk to. This is when travel gets lonely. I end up talking to a guy who works at the resort behind and buys me a drink. We go to leave and the bar charges me for the drink he buys. Seriously. This night is just not happening!
There are a couple of families but they are all eating and there is no one to talk to. This is the moment when travel gets lonely. I end up talking to a guy who works at the resort behind and he buys me a drink. We decide to leave and the bar charges me for the drink he bought. Seriously. This night is just not happening!
We leave and are amazed at how freezing it is at night.
We toss and turn. The vehicle is too cold for a good night’s sleep. We decide that we will move on tomorrow. Day 4 was definitely a great journey in southern Florida.
Questions and Comments
- What fascinates you about Florida?
- Have you been to Legoland?
- How was the experience?
- How do you ensure your child does not shy off from socializing or engaging in fun activities like other children?
- Do share your opinions and comments with us below.
