Driving across Florida through the Everglades gives a reminder of Florida's wild side. Still thick grasslands and lots of alligators, birds, and villages of Seminole native peoples. What we didn't see were the thousands of giant pythons and other vipers that have invaded and threatened the ecosystem by devouring native birds, fish, and reptiles.
The Gulf coast is announced by the iconic Sunshine State Bridge, appropriately described as two fish fins sticking out of the bay. We settled in at the Royal Orleans, our second time here and the last budget place available when we were looking 7 months ago! It's a tiny 260 sq. ft. (yes, that's a fold-up "Murphy bed") but has a functional kitchen, heated lap pool, and wide beaches across the street.
Like most of Florida, it's a great walking area. Construction is booming again, a sign that the economy -- and the tourists -- are back. Whimsical mailboxes. Pelicans gone lazy with handouts. And a surprise: a lush curbside veggie garden! Are there northeners living here?
We celebrated the 19th anniversary of our first date on the 3rd. But there are still first-time occasions: First Time we have ever had back-to-back haircuts in the same chair by the same hairdresser! But mostly it's been pretty laid-back on this first week on the Quiet Coast. Earlier this week it was Groundhog Day, Groundhog Day. Down here it's the sunset that repeats itself, like blowing out a candle on the day's celebration.
The Gulf coast is announced by the iconic Sunshine State Bridge, appropriately described as two fish fins sticking out of the bay. We settled in at the Royal Orleans, our second time here and the last budget place available when we were looking 7 months ago! It's a tiny 260 sq. ft. (yes, that's a fold-up "Murphy bed") but has a functional kitchen, heated lap pool, and wide beaches across the street.
Like most of Florida, it's a great walking area. Construction is booming again, a sign that the economy -- and the tourists -- are back. Whimsical mailboxes. Pelicans gone lazy with handouts. And a surprise: a lush curbside veggie garden! Are there northeners living here?
We celebrated the 19th anniversary of our first date on the 3rd. But there are still first-time occasions: First Time we have ever had back-to-back haircuts in the same chair by the same hairdresser! But mostly it's been pretty laid-back on this first week on the Quiet Coast. Earlier this week it was Groundhog Day, Groundhog Day. Down here it's the sunset that repeats itself, like blowing out a candle on the day's celebration.
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