Another Great Day In "Paradise"!

Ken was up a bit earlier than me.  I didn't get out of bed until 8, but I only went to sleep after midnight!  We talked to Ernie and Noela and we are going to be at their campsite at 10 to do a hike at at preserve near there.  

We made a great cooked breakfast, packed our lunches and were at their campground right on time.  Ken was still so disappointed that he hadn't bought a camera, so the 4 of us headed to Target (no luck, but Noela did get a very nice sweatshirt) and then to Best Buy.  No luck there either, but did you know that when you buy a camera from them, it DOESN'T include the battery, case, cords, or the memory card and they aren't any cheaper than Wal-Mart which at least includes the battery. You have to purchase a "bundle" to get those things.  So, when you leave the store with a camera, you can't even use it!!!  What is that about?????  I guess we get spoiled when we buy at Costco - they include a case, battery, needed cords, and a memory card at the same or cheaper price and give you 90 days to try it.  If you aren't happy with it for any reason, you can return it with no questions asked!  That is service plus!!!!!  

We left without a camera and drove to Lumberjack Preserve to hike. You hike to Lemon Bay where we saw turtles, geckos, heron, ibis, and Ken's favorite, the roseate spoonbills.  He was so disappointed he didn't have a camera!  This man has turned into quite the photographer!!!!  We ate lunch at a picnic table and then took another hike to Lemon Bay Preserve and had a rather long walk after a few wrong turns.  It was a good day for a walk - warm, partly sunny, and a slight breeze.  And, we were with Ernie and Noela which made it extra special. We never seem to run out of things to talk or laugh about.

That is one overloaded with turtles log!!!  No room at the inn!

What a beautiful bridge out to the Bay

This osprey is ready to have lunch!

Hard to tell but it is an alligator!

Not very clear (it was far away) but it is Ken's roseate spoonbill!

Cute little gecko!  

More roseate spoonbills!

What an arch created by the trees!

After the walks, Noela said we needed to stop at Wal-Mart for a few groceries, because she would like us to stay for dinner.  How nice!  She asked me to call Cindy and John and ask them to join us too.  They were happy to join the party. We were back to their CG around 4:15 and we started to get supper prepared. Then the 6 of us sat behind their 5th wheel overlooking the canal and enjoying all the wildlife activity - an osprey and bald eagle trying to show "who is boss", a cormorant that swallowed a large, whole fish, turtles, great blue heron, a woodstork, and an egret.  All that while sitting and enjoying glassed of wine!  Not bad!!!!

Ernie and Noela had a delicious dinner and we were able to eat outside - 3 kinds of grilled meat, grilled zucchini and squash, and a tossed salad.  Cindy brought dessert - a large container of fresh fruit salad.  What a meatl  We moved inside after dinner and had a delightful evening chatting and reminiscing.  We listed to Lady Gaga's tribute to Julie Andrews via U-Tube - it was amazing!  Who knew she had such a gorgeous voice???  We left around 9 and went back to Waldo. Another special day with very special people!

Noela allowed me to download the pictures from her camera or I wouldn't have any on this blog!  Thanks, Noela!