Saturday we booked with "AIRBOATS AND ALLIGATORS" in Lake Trafford for 12:30. The weather was a bit iffy with showers from time to time and a bit of wind. As we idled out into the lake our guide told us that it was not a great day for viewing gators, but he would do the best he could. Gators like it hot with no wind and so far today they had only been seen swimming, not up on the banks getting a sun tan because the sun was intermittent and the wind makes them cold.
Airboats and Alligators is a hoot, it is a bit redneck but fun. They have a wildlife display in the waiting area with snakes, and other wildlife.
The boats are pretty cool, they are powered by Chevy V8 454cuin engines, but they have mufflers and are not as loud as you might think.
At one point we were going through narrow passes between the greenery at pretty good speed banking the turns. When we slowed down the 8 year old boy in front of us, Owen, screamed, that was awesome, the little girl looked terrified. I loved watching her hair fly in the air, but the kids were great.
The girls even had a good time.
Our guide was a good ole boy, he did his best to make it fun and educational. He continuously apologized for the lack of big Gators sunning themselves.
After our guide told us that he had yet to see a Gator sunning today, we came on this big boy. He exclaimed "Winner winner, Chicken Dinner"
He was at least a 20 footer, those are fisherman feet..... Seriously, he was big.
In addition to Gators, the wild life is spectacular, especially the birds.
Airboats and Gators is located right next to Ann Olesky Park, it is a Collier County fishing access with a pier and picnic area. We were ready for lunch so just moved the Serenity Falcon up near the pier and had a nice picnic lunch made by June and Liz.
Returning from the boat ride we decided to visit the Fort Myers Fleamasters Fleamarket. It is the biggest flea market I have ever seen, they say over 900 vendors/stores are there. We walked for at least an hour and covered a small portion of it, it was bustling with people.
We got back to the house and generally goofed off the rest of the day. Liz made fruit cake/bread for me, I am one of the few who still loves fruit cake. It is usually a Christmas holiday thing, but I will take it when I can get it. Yum
June and Liz got new 'summer slippers' and just had to model them together. John and I were waiting for the rest of the matching outfit to be modeled..but we only waited.
We ended the evening in the hot tub, it was a good way to end a fun day. It is always refreshing to dive into the pool after soaking a bit in the hot tub.
June even got some of her floating lounge time in, Liz thought it was too cold..what a southerner.
Overall it was a fun day, Sunday we will make our way to visit June's sister Jane just north of Tampa and then stop in the Villages to visit our friends George and Gail.
Loved the airboat ride, there were many gators swimming, too many to count. The flea market was fun tho we didn’t buy anything. Ending the evening in the hot tub....priceless. Thanks John and Liz, you are great hosts.
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