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Our son and daughter-in-law from Colorado popped in for a visit last weekend. We packed a lot into a short time, showing off our area for company.
We visited Manatee Park, across the river from where we live in North Ft. Myers:
The picture on the bottom right is from a different manatee sighting -- it's very hard to get a picture of their faces, and so, since I didn't get a better one this time, I used this old one. (Nothing like stealing pictures from yourself!) Here is a link to the post where I used that picture before -- it tells a little more about these fascinating creatures.
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We toured the grounds at the Edison and Ford Estates in downtown Ft. Myers:
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We watched birds at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island -- from Wildlife Drive and while kayaking on Commodore Creek Trail:
All this doesn't even count the good conversations and meals shared, we had a great visit. But Bill and I are glad we didn't have to go to work Monday morning like the kids did (especially after they had to fly back to snowy Denver)!
I remember seeing manatees when we went canoing up around Tampa, neat to see them. I've been to Edison's estate but it was long ago.
You remind me that there is a lot to see in Florida, sounds like you had a nice visit.
Posted by: Martha Z | January 10, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Great post. Linda and I are going to try and get to the Edison house in Milan,Ohio this spring
Posted by: Joe Todd | January 10, 2011 at 03:32 PM
Not only snowy, but COLD, too!! You sure saw a lot in a short period of time, Sallie. I think you're a good tour guide. I bet they felt refreshed by the sunny warmth and bright colors!
Posted by: Barb | January 10, 2011 at 04:15 PM
What a delightful post and an even more delightful visit for you and your family! Great captures as always! What a fun place and it looks soooo warm! Hope your week is off to a great start, Sallie! Enjoy!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | January 10, 2011 at 04:19 PM
How wonderful for you to have such a good visit, and so many things to talk about, too, but how dreadful for "the kids" to have to fly to Denver, then go to work.
Hard to believe manatees used to be taken for mermaids, but they do have their own kind of charm, don't they?
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Posted by: Kay Davies | January 10, 2011 at 04:23 PM
All of your showing off is making me think we are way overdue for a trip to your neck of the woods. If nothing else we need to see the Ford/Edison estates there!
Posted by: Krystal | January 10, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Makes me miss FL! We lived in Bonita Springs 10 years before moving here.
Posted by: Carolina Mts | January 10, 2011 at 05:04 PM
I'll have to check these places out, Sallie. My mom is thinking of moving to the North Ft. Myers area to be near my aunt and will be flying in at the beginning of February. I feel like a different kind of Traveling Sally. Oregon just over a week ago, and Florida (Space Coast) next week. :)
Posted by: Sally in WA | January 10, 2011 at 06:10 PM
Wonderful images. I am sure you had a good time.
Posted by: Rajesh | January 10, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Sallie, it must be a treat for your son and DIL to savor the warm Florida weather. I heard Denver is in a deep freeze.
Your reflection photos are beautiful.
Posted by: Ebie | January 10, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Oh, BTW, our group organizer only charges $5 one time fee for the website maintenance and she shoulders the rest of the incidentals. When we carpool, we help pay for wear and tear and gas.
Posted by: Ebie | January 10, 2011 at 11:17 PM
What fun, to spend some time showing off your area to the kids. Your manatee looks similar to our dugong but i believe they are different species.
Posted by: diane | January 11, 2011 at 04:11 AM
ahh, fun stuff! I see the sun is shining...I could really go for that about now! I love the manatees and the birds. And I miss kayaking...ours have been sitting outside not getting any use :(
Posted by: Jill | January 11, 2011 at 02:10 PM
How great to have your kids pop in for a nice visit. How great also that you live in such a beautiful area to show off. But I'm with you on the Monday mornings. Now that I'm retired it's so nice to sleep in and let everyone else fight the traffic and the weather.
Posted by: Margot | January 11, 2011 at 05:30 PM
We had a great visit!
Posted by: Geoff | January 12, 2011 at 10:05 PM