A Fun Day on Pine Island with Noela and Ernie!

Ken and I were on our walk around the CG and along the road outside the CG by 7:30.  It was about 62 degrees and felt rather mild, but it was a bit windy! Really enjoyed our walk and did about 6,500 steps till we got back at 8:30.  We ate breakfast, showered, and got ready for the arrival of Noela and Ernie.  They left their CG at Port Charlotte at 9:30 and had to stop for diesel so we sat outside in the sun for about an hour waiting for them.  We enjoyed talking to several fellow campers as they walked by.  Ernie and Noela arrived at 11 and we were so happy to see them.  

We chatted for awhile and by 12 got on our bikes and rode to the Low Key Tiki Hut for lunch.  I love their chicken, pineapple and onions on a skewer served with a great sauce and 2 small tacos with lettuce.  Ken really enjoys their white fish tacos.  Ernie and Noela enjoyed their lunch too.  We had planned to eat outside on the dock, but it was too windy - 20 to 30 miles per hour.  We didn't want our food to fly off our plates! 

Ernie and Noela with us at the Low Key Tiki Hut!

We got back on our bikes and rode back towards the CG stopping at the new Galt Preserve to take a few short hiking trails and then checking out the eagles nest near the St. Jude Preserve.  We saw the eagle from a distance sitting on the large nest.  We enjoyed watching the woodpecker too!  We walked the mile trail at the preserve which goes back to the bay off of Pine Island - very picturesque!  That's where we saw the snake - not my favorite critters!

Hiking one of the new trails at the Galt Preserve!

Standing on one of the bird watching platforms at Galt Preserve!
(We didn't see any birds!  What's that about???)

Another great eagle photo - yeah Ken!!!!

Ken also got a wonderful photo of the pileated woodpecker!
He or she was so busy going in and out of the hole for insects!

The entrance to the St. Jude Preserve Trail!

We saw this baby Florida Ringneck Snake while walking the trail!

The "lovebirds" enjoying the view at the end of the trail!

On the way back to our bikes!

Being from Lancaster County, PA we had to take this photo!

We only got back to Waldo around 5 and all of us were happy to be out of the strong winds.  We had Happy Hour in Waldo with drinks and some cheese, crackers and grapes.  Noela had mentioned that she needs a craft to do when traveling, so I showed her my cards made with the Iris Folding Method and explained how it is done.  Gave her a pattern and the website where she can find additional ones!  Thanks, Deb!  Hopefully we can get together and make one in the next couple weeks! They left around 6:15, but we didn't say good-bye.  We plan to see them again before leaving Florida!

We were sad to see them leave for we always have so much
fun with Ernie and Noela!  We look forward to seeing them
several more times before leaving!

See you soon!!

I talked to my sister and left a message for our daughter, but we spent the entire evening in Waldo.  It was a special day.  I even got a total of 15,500 steps.  Wow!!!

Just a side note!  When we went to download today's photos, we realized we had forgotten to put the camera card back in the camera.  Amazing how the camera records the photos in a built in memory card.  We spent about an hour with the camera plugged into the computer trying to download them, but the computer wouldn't recognize the device!  Finally, by working together, I asked Ken if there was a way to move them from the camera onto the card.  He went to the menu on the camera and bingo, you were able to transfer the photo to the card internally!  Hallelujah!  Ken was excited about these photos and now we have them saved and posted!