EverGlades / Key Largo, FL

Everglades Airboat tour ollie ian and lori in airboat 11-17-2008 3-57-35 PM
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The day started with the last of the goodbyes as Michelle and Matt headed back to Australia, Alison left for New York City and Kirsty and Steven drove back to Orlando. Of course there was time for some catching up, visiting the shell cleaning stations and some photos on the beach, but both Lori and Ian were sad to see their friends go. After packing up at Terry and Lorraine’s, Lori, Ian and Oli said their goodbyes to Terry, Lorraine and Sharon and headed towards Key Largo. We stopped to pick up the photographers’ wedding photos in Fort Myers, but unfortunately, the computer that we had with us was old and didn’t play DVDs, so we had to wait to frustratingly wait till later to see them.

Everglades Airboat tour gator 11-17-2008 4-29-03 PM
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We had about a two hour drive to the Everglades. Ian enjoyed the music and the sunshine whilst driving, while Lori took a quick nap, which she is notorious for doing once the car starts moving. Ian and Oli managed to miss the turned off and Lori soon realized they were off the track and encouraged them to they turned around. They eventually stopped at Jungle Erv’s in Everglades City and booked a trip on a airboat. After grabbing a sandwich at subway, the trio were soon on a boat with their guide Danny and a couple from New York whose daughter had also been married on November 15th in Miami.

The airboat produced some surprisingly high speeds and dramatic quick turns

Everglades Airboat tour ian and lori 11-17-2008 3-06-43 PM
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The airboat produced some surprisingly high speeds and dramatic quick turns that Danny seemed to do time and time ago. Unfortunately, we did not have much luck with the wildlife sight seeing. The 10 foot alligator that had been in an area for the other two trips Danny had taken this morning, was not there. Oli did manage to spot the baby (3 foot) alligator and Lori spotted a 7 foot one hidden in the bushes. We saw a few birds as well, but we saw many more on the drive. We think that the roar of the boat scared them off. The trip was made though by Danny performing is many high speed dramatic turns!

Everglades Airboat tour lori in airboat 11-17-2008 3-59-56 PM
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On the way out of the Everglades, we stopped at The Oasis, that had a big boardwalk where you could view the alligators. We were able to get close, within 10 feet, to one of them and managed to take a few photos. Ollie performed some tomfoolery and managed to scare Lori half to death and as she was getting her photo taken, by telling her that the alligator was moving her way. Needless to say, Lori quickly moved while Ollie laughed. After that stop, it was about a 2 hour drive to Key Largo (with one other mishap with directions). We checked into the Key Largo Marriott (thank you again, John, for the discount and Accenture for the gift certificates) and went to the Fish House for dinner. We were treated to a wonderful meal. We shared concors to start, a local specialty. They tasted like clams to Lori, but Ollie and Ian thought they were a bit tougher. Lori ordered Key Lime shrimp (prawns) and scallops, Ian had yellow tailed snapper cooked in lemon and sherry and Ollie ate lobster stuffed with crab meat. The meals came with fries, corn, colesaw and black beans and rice, which we all shared. It was a real feast and we all full by the end. After dinner Ollie and Ian spent some time catching up and Lori spent some time working on the journal and catching up on emails.

Everglades drive gator 11-17-2008 4-29-38 PM
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