This is "Big Joe", the largest American crocodile. Unfortunately, he died back in 2003 of stomach cancer, so we only saw him stuffed. The advertisements didn't mention that... 

Our less than enthusiastic tour gude showing us a baby alligator. She must have been doing this tour a long time--she sounded like a robot. 

A beautiful banyan tree, native to India, I believe, here in the Wonder Gardens. 

A little river otter--I think his name was Oscar, doing a slide trick. 

A cute little lizard just hanging out. 

The swinging bridge over the alligators--a little nervewracking to walk across. 

Feeding time!! Look at those chompers! 

Not a great pic because of the fencing, but this is one of the rarest big cats in the world--a Florida panther--critically endangered. I felt priveleged to see one up close. 

A baby deer hiding OUTSIDE the enclosure--somehow it gets out a crack in the fence, we were told, to hide in the bushes and comes back in at night to nurse from mom. 

One of the residential areas we drove around in. Very opulent houses here. 

Our first time canoeing in the state park, or ever. No, I'm not naked under there, but I wish I was--it was HOT out there!! We saw lots of birds, a couple of manatees, fish jumping out of the water, and a few bubbles that I thought sure were alligators. 

A pretty white egret resting in the mangroves during our canoe trip. 

One of the many species of gulls on Lover's Key State Park beach. So nice here. 

Hubby's feet from his comfy beach lounge. 

A view of the shoreline on Lover's Key State Resort Park beach. A quiet, pretty natural beach, except they had to haul in sand after Hurricane Charlie. 

I love my family...really I do...really

I'm taking a break from the vacation pics to describe my weekend trip. We traveled to attend my niece's 4th birthday party this past Saturday. Good party. Barbequed food, lots of kids playing and laughing. Had fun. But let me tell you why I choose to even elaborate on this seemingly normal, common event.

My family is not conventional. No Cleavers here. My husband never fails to be surprised at the family dynamics--his family was more conventional than mine. Oh, they have their own foibles, but you wouldn't necessarily find the interesting turnout at a birthday party on his side of the family that you would have found at mine.

Here's a rundown of the party guests: my half-brother(different dads), sister-in-law, my youngest niece turning 4; half-brother's other half-sister (different moms) and her daughter and son; sister-in-law's mother and mother's boyfriend; sister-in-law's dad and dad's girlfriend; my stepfather; half-brother's ex-wife, ex-wife's husband and their son; my oldest niece (from half-brother's ex-wife), next youngest niece (from half-brother's ex-girlfriend); a couple that work with half-brother and sister-in-law.....and the kicker...an ex-convict that is one of half-brother's best friends. I won't mention what he was in prison for, but let's say it was disturbing to learn that he is living right next door in the duplex by my half-brother and his family. Not that he didn't seem nice--I've kinda known him for a long time too, but anyway.....

So, if you read over the guest list a few times, you'll see why it's a bit confusing and unconventional. But, I'm used to it..doesn't really surprise or confuse me anymore. Mainly because they're all ok with each other. No fights, no guns, no drinking, no cops. If there was tension there, it would bother me, but everyone is comfortable with each other, and we just had fun. Highlight of the day--didn't bring swimsuits for my girls, and when they broke out a Slip n Slide, my oldest daughter quick as lightning, before anyone could notice, stripped naked and stood in line waiting for her turn. My youngest, slipping and sliding on and off in the mud and grass, diaper drooping down to her knees.

It was a great day. I love my family....really.

Day 2 pics are here!!

Not a lot of variety here, but lots of life! So, here's a short synopsis of our first couple days. Flew out of Nashville to Tampa on May 31, rented a car, drove 2 hours down to the Fort Myers area and our resort, checked in, relaxed, saw the dolphins, ate at Flippers on the Bay during the tremendous thunderstorm, returned and relaxed some more.

Day two, June 1: Hung out on the beach, enjoyed the manatees, played in the pool--enchanting little waterfall there. Hubby doesn't like to swim in the pool when there's an ocean nearby, but I think it's fun. Especially when you can see the ocean right there too. And you know a shark's not going to bite you. Ate lunch at Flippers, hung out in the hotel, took naps, went out to eat. We ate at some great restaurants there. Man, wish I could just go to one tonight!

So, basically, our first couple days we just relaxed and took wildlife pics--great vacation already!

Our hotel as viewed from the beach on the bay. Very natural beach around here, and quiet....ahhh. 

What's this? Is it Florida's own Loch Ness Monster? No, wait.... 

Manatees!!! At least 5 or 6 of them were swimming 25-30 feet from us in the bay by our hotel. It was so cool!!