Florida Week 6

Aimee went to Las Vegas, had a lot of fun, but had a long, sleepless trip back home.  All is now well in the Sampson household.  Kenna made her first trip to the dentist and got a "this".  Jerpa won $25 in our Coquina Cove Super Bowl Pool.

This week we went to the Naples Preserve, took a cruise down the Gordon River to the Gulf, and visited Naples Botanical Gardens.  

At the Preserve, we saw an Osprey nest atop a communications tower, lots of unusual vegetation, and several tortoises.  On our cruise down the Gordon River, we passed many gorgeous homes and rebuilds.  Most of the homes were empty, and the boats are only used a couple times a year.  What a life!

The Naples Botanical Gardens cover 90 acres of a total 170 available.  It is made up of 7 beautiful theme gardens, a butterfly house, ponds, and animal sanctuary with 2-1/2 miles of walking paths.

Aimee and friend Susan take a break from Astra Zeneca in Vegas.

Pelicans sit on the roof of a restaurant in Tin City where we boarded the Double Sunshine for our cruise.

One of the gorgeous mansions we viewed from the water.

"Beer Money" sits in front of one of the mansions.

Another whopper - each one bigger than the previous one.

Dolphins were more entertaining that the mansions.

Jerpa and me on the cruise boat.

A bald eagle sits atop a tree along the shore.

Stuck on a sandbar, this sailboat is waiting for high tide.

Sunset on Naples Beach at Lowdermilk Park.

Tortoise in the Preserve.

Another tortoise - we saw several there.

Growing into a caterpillar.

Croton

Snake in pond at Gardens.

Me in front of the Brazilian Garden.

This open marsh land was part of the animal and bird habitat.  We're wondering what they will do with the wood piles scattered in the area.

Kenna made her first trip to the dentist.

Our pool board - Jerpa won $25.