Wow! I didn't realize how much I was in need of a vacation until today. We went to the Everglades and it is just what I needed! The ride into Everglades City was an adventure in itself. From panther crossings and tortoises in the middle of the road to the anticipation of seeing alligators and crocs on the side of the road. What fun and excitement! And that was just the greatness I experienced on the drive in. It is the small things in life that make me happy!
Upon arriving, we immediately purchased our tickets for the airboat ride through the Everglades. While waiting in line, I mustered up the courage to hold the baby alligator. It was exhilarating! I am really trying to force myself to do things I wouldn't usually do and it felt wonderful! Speaking of exhilarating, this airboat ride was one of the coolest things I have done in a long time- I highly suggest it if you ever get down in these parts. It was like an amusement park ride- swamp style. And let me just tell you- we had the cutest Captain out there and
that made it all the more fun!
Pelicans landed on the front of our boat- so close that their wings swept across our shoulders as they landed right next to us waiting for the Captain to toss them another fish. We rode through the mangrove "roads" at slow and fast paces all the while taking in the breathtaking scenery. I seriously looked around and marveled at how "untouched" the Everglades are. It was refreshing to see land and open water that hasn't been destroyed with commercialism.
On the way home from Everglades City, we stopped at Marco Island and Naples. Talk about night and day kind of places! We went from swamp to high-end swagger. I hate to admit it, but I almost preferred the lifestyle and atmosphere of the Everglades more so than feeling out of place because of money and high-end riches. Shh- maybe there is a little redneck in me after all! At any rate, we mainly window shopped and found a few "treasures." I even found MY store- Kirsten's Boutique, right in the Historic District of Downtown Naples! Yes- I own a store in the ritziest part of town! Woohoo!!!!
This day reminded me that no matter how old you get, you are
never too old to take a family vacation with mom and dad. We always have such a blast together and the memories we created today will be some of our fondest. We will look back on this trip and laugh, smile and reminisce. It doesn't get much better than that! So today I Soaked Up the Sunnyside of the adventures that unraveled throughout the day. And boy was it a great day! Work or play, here's hoping you made a memory or had an adventure and found the Sunnyside in what life offered
you today, too.
Upon arriving, we immediately purchased our tickets for the airboat ride through the Everglades. While waiting in line, I mustered up the courage to hold the baby alligator. It was exhilarating! I am really trying to force myself to do things I wouldn't usually do and it felt wonderful! Speaking of exhilarating, this airboat ride was one of the coolest things I have done in a long time- I highly suggest it if you ever get down in these parts. It was like an amusement park ride- swamp style. And let me just tell you- we had the cutest Captain out there and that made it all the more fun!
Pelicans landed on the front of our boat- so close that their wings swept across our shoulders as they landed right next to us waiting for the Captain to toss them another fish. We rode through the mangrove "roads" at slow and fast paces all the while taking in the breathtaking scenery. I seriously looked around and marveled at how "untouched" the Everglades are. It was refreshing to see land and open water that hasn't been destroyed with commercialism.
This day reminded me that no matter how old you get, you are never too old to take a family vacation with mom and dad. We always have such a blast together and the memories we created today will be some of our fondest. We will look back on this trip and laugh, smile and reminisce. It doesn't get much better than that! So today I Soaked Up the Sunnyside of the adventures that unraveled throughout the day. And boy was it a great day! Work or play, here's hoping you made a memory or had an adventure and found the Sunnyside in what life offered you today, too.
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