Everglade airboat ride

We went on an airboat ride into the Everglades. We had a choice of a mangrove tour or a grassland tour, we took the grassland option. Alligators were everywhere, some were 12 foot 600 pounders. They seemed to ignore us. The airboats had huge V-8 engines with propellers like a plane, they were really loud, but could travel on 6" of water .

Everglade City

We drove south to Everglade City, a small town in the Everglades with tourism and fishing the only activities . The swamp stretches to the horizon in all directions. We had alligator for lunch at a small cafe on the palm tree lined main st. The swamp was across the street. The gift shop sold various size dried alligator heads.

Kayaking

We went kayaking in a mangrove swamp inside a wildlife preserve , lots of Ospreys, eagles, egrets, thousands of shore birds. Water was warm and shallow. The white headed osprey is holding a fish in his claw.

Sunset sailing

We went sailing for a couple hours for Karens birthday. It was windy and great sailing, Mary blew the traditional conch trumpet at sunset. We had dinner outside under the stars

Mary and Josh's house

Mary lives in a 50 year old neighborhood . The trees and plantings are old and well established giving the area a nice feel. Most streets are waterfront with salt water canals giving boat access to the Gulf of Mexico. Like many Florida homes, Mary's house has a Lanai, a screened outdoor living room. The yards are lush and tropical.

Thanksgiving in Florida

We are staying at a waterfront hotel in Cape Coral 2 miles from Mary's house. Our room is on the top floor overlooking the water. Weather is summer like and beautiful

Beach day

We all hoped in two taxis and took a ride to 7 Mile Beach in Negril. We spent the day at a beach resort that had a reciprocal agreement with our resort, we could use their facilities . Bob, Peter , Josh and family all chartered a boat and went snorkeling , Karen and I stayed in the shade, cowering from the mid summer scorching equatorial sun. The ocean was 82 degrees . We stopped a a craft shop on the taxis ride home, they had some nice things.

More photos outside the resort

The locals were all very friendly . We've never been harassed or bothered by anyone . Everyone smiles and says hello. The peddlers accept a polite "no " and leave us alone. The dangers of Jamaica ( at least in this part of the island ) appear to be another traveling myth. I would come back.

Outside the resort

We walked outside the resort for lunch and had a traditional Jamaican meal at " Sharks " restaurant. I had curried fish, Bob had goat. It was all spicy and good. That's the entrance gate to our resort with 24 hour guard

More wedding shots

We had a steel drum player at cocktail hour and a Reggae band after dinner.

The wedding

Being in the wedding, I was unable to take many photos. The four guys in ties are best man and friends from Auburn.

Rehearsal Dinner

Me with Josh's father, Bob and Faith at dinner, table all set, the bar, bonfire on the beach after dinner