She sells sea shells by the sea shore..............

Where abouts?.....Sanibel Island! Sanibel is off Fort Myers and is famous for its beautiful seashells! Sanibel and her neighbour and sister island, Captiva are amazing holiday destinations! The casual, relaxed feeling, the sugar white sand, the warm blue water lapping the shores, and the beautiful weather make them very congenial destinations for holiday makers, tourists, snow birds and retirees!

 Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Fort Myers Beach,Bonita Beach and Naples are called the Paradise Coast of Florida - and it is a paradise! This certainly is a coastline worth visiting!

Going across the causeway to Sanibel Island from Fort Myers

The nice homes, lush gardens, the lovely white, sugary sand beaches and the green/blue water on the islands were impressive.

Sanibel Lighthouse

The causeway bridge from Fort Myers

The river at Bonita Beach

Holiday accommodation at Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach

Naples Beach

Naples streetscape

Homes in Naples

5th Avenue, Naples

We would love to come back and spend more time here!

After enjoying the morning sightseeing along the Paradise Coast we headed south down the  I-41 into the Everglades! There we enjoyed an airboat ride through the unusual vegetation that makes up this unusual area - as the captain said, "if you like your hats hold them in your hands!" - it was fast!  - sorry SPEEDY! - that was the name of the company. Thrill seekers would love this ride! The ride was more about the thrills rather than learning about this unique ecosystem, which disappointed us a bit - but we still had fun!

Speedy!

The airboats heading off into the Everglades

The mangroves, or the walking trees as they call them in the Everglades

Racing along a bayou!

The grasslands in the glades

Orchids growing in the trees

The thrill seekers!

After our thrilling ride we headed off to Miami, stopping on the way at the Bayou at Turner Road 

to observe some of the Everglades interesting inhabitants

An alligator lurking in the bayou mud

This little fellow was enjoying a sun bake!

There were a lot of turtles in the Bayou

Lurking! Lurking!

The fish were big and plentiful - lots of food for the gators!

Peeking out of the water at us! - his next meal?

This healthy specimen surfaced out of the mud below us

Swimming submerged along the Bayou 

Travelling along the I-41 in Everglades land  
 

We arrived in Miami late afternoon to complete our crossing of the USA! We are looking forward to the return trip and more adventures!

Off on our Caribbean Cruise tomorrow! So excited - love cruising!

We'll blog some more on our return and report in on our cruise! So until then all take care!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

 

 

Into the pan handle!

After we emerged from the swamp in Slidell we headed east and drove, and drove and drove, finally arriving in Tallahassee about 9pm where we camped in the Turtle. We passed through some lovely cities and towns and their coastal terrain as we followed the Gulf of Mexico around. So, from New Orleans and Slidell in Louisiana, we headed into Mississippi and through Gulfport and Biloxi; on into Alabama and through Mobile; and then into Florida through Pensacola, Crestview and finally calling it a day at Tallahassee. Phew!!! Captain Pete did fantastically on the I-90 on that long drive!

This morning we woke (after a good 10hr sleep in The Turtle - so comfy!) to a strange Florida fog! We breakfasted with the little squirrels who wanted to come with us in The Turtle - they kept trying to jump in the cheeky little things! Another long drive today from the top to the bottom (or nearly) of the "pan handle".  We moved off the Interstate and took the coast road south which was a really pleasant drive. Seven hours later we arrived in Fort Myers (93 degrees celsius today! Hot!) - The City of the Palms, ready for our final leg to Miami tomorrow. We will have driven right across the USA when we reach Miami! and it has been awesome!

On our way to Miami we plan to do an Everglades' trip which we are looking forward to. On Friday we embark on our Caribbean Cruise. Yeah!!!! Excited!!!! As we won't have internet access on the ship so we will be off the radar for about a week!

The city skyline of downtown Mobile

HMAS Alabama stationed at Mobile

The squirrels abandoned their own breakfasts and joined us at The Turtle

Cute!

The foggy morning! and what a hot day it turned into!!!!

Don't go! Can I hop in and come with you!?

Hot day = bush fires today in Florida

Bradenton, Florida

Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers - the City of Palms!

Loveley homes!

Main St of historical downtown Fort Myers

All the streets are lined with palms!