2023 Oct 6-14, CARNIVAL SPIRIT Cruise (from Mobile) The BAHAMAS 8 Days: Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Freeport, & Bimini

 Day 1: Friday, Oct 6, Mobile:

We ate breakfast at Chick-fil-A a couple of buildings down from our hotel. I ordered chicken minis and Diet Coke. 

Loaded our luggage into the shuttle and were taken to the docks. 

We went through customs and loaded onto the boat before 12 p.m. 

We stopped for a quick lunch and went to our room. The ship was leaving port around 4:30 P.M. 

Party time 

We went to the deck to join the sail-away party.

We were in stateroom 6117 (Deck 6) and our boarding time was 12:30-1PM. 

Muster Station 5.

Hotel The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and Spa 26 North Royal St Mobile, Al 36602

I bought CC Home Port Deck Pictures 2 5x7 for $31.65

I bought a Lanyard lock for $7.65 for my Carnival Card. 

We joined our friends in the dining room for dinner. For appetizers, we ordered a shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad. For our main course, I ordered grilled salmon for dessert, and I ordered chocolate molten cake.  

Grilled Salmon with Veggies 

Show Inside Scoop Shopping and Fun Ashore. 

After dinner, we went back to our cabin where we watched Weathern Heights on TV, then went to bed. 

Day 2: Saturday, Oct 7, Sea Day: 

Up early walked around the upper deck stopping to talk to people along the way. I went downstairs to get a pastry and some fruit juice. I was writing in my journal when hubby joined me for breakfast. 

Sea Day Brunch in the Empire Room where I ordered a skillet cake with two link sausages and water. 

Hubby's Sea Day Brunch ham, steak, fries, eggs, fruit 

Hubby bought a Mt Dew cab for $3.54

Went back to our room watched 24 hours on TV and took a nap. For lunch a hamburger from Guys Burgers. 

For dinner, I ordered grilled shrimp, appetizers mushrooms, and dessert?

Carnival Spirit Halloween Pumpkin 

After dinner, we enjoyed watching the 80's Show performance. 

Went to our room watched Harvey the Rabbit with Jimmy Steward and went to bed. 

Day 3, Sunday, Oct 8,  Bimini:

Was up at 4:30 AM went to the upper deck to walk and watched the sun come up. 

Met a family from Alabama and one from Madison, MS. Took several pictures. 

Took a free trolley into Bimini then a taxi to the old town. ($20.00)

Bimini 

Hubby bought a sun hat and we walked to the beach. I got into the water while hubby sat on the beach. 

We stopped to take pictures of the Bimini Museum outside for the museum was closed.

We met several children playing and we stopped to talk to them. 

We took the taxi back to the trolley area and then back to the boat. 

We ate a late lunch and then took a nap.

Sunset on Bimini 

Dinner in the Empire Room.

After dinner, we watched The Magic Show with Side Show Bert in the Pharoh Room. 

We stopped in the bar area where Mootown Trivia was going on. 

We went to our room only to find out there was a leak and the floor was wet on hubby's side.

Hubby put several towels down to dry up the floor. 

Day 4, Monday, Oct 9, Free Port:

Breakfast consisted of a cinnamon raisin roll with juice. 

Bought an excursion Garden of the Groves Tour.  $129.98

Senor Frogs before the Garden tour 

We boarded a bus to take us to the Garden of the Groves. 

Met up with our guide and she led us through the gardens where we saw waterfalls, birds, Royal the cockatoo,  turtles, ducks, a cat,  a church, a labyrinth, and many flowers.

We ended the tour at the gift shops where they sold local items including souvenirs from things in the gardens. 

Hubby and I ordered a Chicken quesadilla and diet cokes at the nearby restaurant. (25.00) 

Quesadilla and Coke at Garden of the Groves.

We sat at table 5, Our server was Mel. Loaded back onto the bus and was dropped off at the nearby port. 

There we shopped and stopped at Zorbas Greek Cuisine and bought a slice of Carrot cake and a bottle of water. which hubby and I shared. (S10.00)

We were back on the ship by 2PM 

Banana Split 

For Dinner, I ordered Prim ribs and dessert Banana split 

After dinner, we watched the show Get-Away Island.

Went to bed and watched TV. 

Day 5, Tuesday, Oct 10, Half Moon Cay:

French Toast for breakfast. 

Had to take a ferry over to the island of Half Moon Cay. 

Beautiful Blue Waters of Half Moon Cay

We bought an excursion for the Glass Bottom Boat which took about an hour. ($98.34)

We bought a hat and a bottle of Mt Dew. ($16.81) (($16.01 hat)

Took the trolley to the beach where we boarded the boat.

The ship's crew was doing a free cookout for lunch.

I ate a hamburger, cookies, cake and a drink. 

Wearing my new hat on the Island of Half Moon Cay

I think the hamburger was not done because that night I got sick and could not eat my dinner. 

After lunch, we walked to the beach. I fell when the sand broke away from the bank causing me to fall. 

I was not hurt. I only broke my pride. 

We walked along the beach and back to the ferry that took us back to the ship.

We joined our friends for dinner but I could not eat my stomach was churning and I had to leave. Went to bed early that night. 

Day 6, Wednesday, Oct 11, Nassau:

Breakfast cinnamon roll.

Shore Excursions we went to  Junkaco Museum. (22.00)

Junkaco Museum 

We went to the Straw Market where hubby bought a button-up Bahama shirt at the Salty Waves gift shop. ($30)

At Del Sol, I bought 2 tees and a bag that changes colors in the sunlight. (63)I bought a smoothie. ($11)

It was awfully hot and we did not stay long at Nassau.

Leaving Nassau 

We walked back to the ship around 10:30 and wrote in my journal.

We got a hamburger and fries at Guys Burgers. 

Dinner was Alligator Bites and ribs, french fries, corn, and baked beans. 

Watched show 88 Keys 

Day 7, Thursday, Oct 12, 

Sea Day: Up in time to see the sunrise was very windy.

Beautiful Sunrise Sea Day

Sea Day Brunch was a parfait and steak with eggs and fries. 

Found a couple of ducks. 

Dinner consisted of Lobster tail, baked potato, and pie with ice cream.

Took a nap earlier in the day 

Bought 2 Alaska T's, and a pair of shorts. ($35.49)

Watched the Epic Rock Show at Pharoh Palace. 

Day 8, Friday, Oct 13, 

Breakfast was a cinnamon roll

Lunch was a ham and cheese sub with ice cream cake.

Took a nap and watched movies. 

Bought a build bear at St Jude fun-raiser (34).

Dinner was baked salmon and fried shrimp with baked Alaskan Ice Cream.

Ice Cream

Packed everything and went to bed.

Day 9, Saturday, Oct 14, 

Ate breakfast and got ready to leave the ship. (2 pastries and juice)

We stopped for fuel in Mobile at Murphy's at Springdale Blvd. 

Bought a kit cat and coke. 

Stopped at Sonic in Thomasville for Corn Dogs and tater tots.T's

Stopped at CVS in Haleyville to buy some dental floss.

A six-hour ride home. 

Sunrise Mobile

 

 

2023 OCT 5, Trip to Mobile, Kathryn Tucker Winham Museum & the Clarke County Museum

 Day 1: Thursday

On our way to Mobile, we made several stops.

We stopped in Thomasville to tour the Kathryn Tucker Museum (Storyteller). The curator walked us through the museum telling us some of the history of Mrs. Windham.

Mrs. Windham was famous for her ghost stories about "Jeffery the ghost" who took up residence in Mrs. Windham's home.

Kathryn Tucker Windham T-shirt with Jeffrey's Ghost on the Front. 

The story about how Kathryn got her first camera!

A sculpture of Kathryn by her good friend
 "Charlie Lucas"

Kathryn's life story is told in a quilt.

Reserved for Ghost Jeffery 

We thanked our guide and she said if we liked the museum we should stop at Clarke County Museum Grover Hill, Al

Clarke County Historical Museum with Pioneer Village in back.

The museum was having some issues with the inside of the building so much of the displays were in disarray on the ground level. 

French Bed 

We walked upstairs to see a bedroom with a French Bed, this bed was made about 1825 and was constructed from French walnut. It came from the plantation of Samuel Barnes which was located in the once-thriving town of Suggsville in eastern Clarke County. The bed posts are hollow so that a canopy could be added. The bed was donated by Mrs, Donald Mills of Montgomery. Barne's great-granddaughter.

Josiah and Lucy Martin Matthew Cabin 
This structure was donated to the Clarke Co Historical Society to its present site. 
Restored in 2008.

We learned that Clarke County was home to 3 salt works during the Civil War.  These Springs were also used by the Native Americans. 

We also learned that during the Civil War prices of Salt escalated so high that the workers were paid in salt. Prices rose from $1.25 per bushel of 50 pounds in 1861 to $50 by the end of the Civil War. 

When the rumor circulated that Mobile was captured everyone scattered that ending the widespread use of the works.  

Salt-making kettle 

Pioneer Day for 2023 will be October 28, 9-3 at the Clarke County Museum. 

Pies, cakes, and other homemade baked goods will be available. The famous Gee's Bend quilters will be demonstrating quilting and will be selling some of their beautiful handiwork. Winky Hicks and friends will be playing bluegrass music and storyteller Deborah Rankins will be on hand to tell local tales.

We thanked our curator and began our final journey to Mobile. 

We will be staying at the Battle House Renaissance Hotel room 5242 another historic site. 

The hotel is connected to the completely new and impressive RSA Battle House Tower. The RSA Hotel is the tallest building in the state it is 40 stories tall. 

Original opened in 1852. The Franklin Hotel was on this site before burning down in 1829.

Andrew Jackson set up headquarters in 1812. The first Mardi Gras Ball was held in the Crystal Ballroom in 1852.

Elvis Presley stayed the night he was kicked off of the fairgrounds for doing the "Shake" in 1952.

It has a Whispering Arch, the Six Flags of Mobile.

1702-1763 French Flag

1763-1780 British Flag

1780-1813 Spanish Flag

1813 -1861 1st US Flag 

1851-1861- Antebellum Period 

1861-1864 - Alabama Confederate Flag 

1964-present 2nd US Flag 

In the whispering arch ceiling area you can see Louis XIV, George Washington, Ferdinand V, and George III.

Whispering Arches

The Grand Ballroom 

We walked up the street to Loda Bier Garten for dinner but were stopped by two men from Chanel 10 Fox News. One with a camera and the other with a microphone. He asked us if we were going on the Cruise ship out of Mobile and we said yes. So he interviewed us and we were on TV that night. 

I had several people on the Carnival Cruise Ship Spirit who said they saw me on TV. 

This was the first ship out of Mobile for over a year. The bay had to be drugged so bigger ships could dock.

We continued our journey to the Bier Garten where we enjoyed a hamburger, fries, and fried mushrooms. 

It had been a long day so we returned to the hotel took a hot shower and climbed into bed. 

We wanted to be rested before we began our journey on the Carnival Spirit Cruise Ship to the Bahamas. 

Fried Mushroom at Lola's Bier Garten in Mobile 

2021 Nov 14-20, Carnival VALOR 5 Day Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico

2021 Nov 14, Sunday 

Monday, Traveled to Slidell, Louisiana We stopped in North Port at Mapco and filled up with gas for $29.49. We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel in Meridian, MS I ordered pinto beans fried okra, and grilled chicken. $6.53 We also had cornbread, biscuits, jelly, and water. Bought gas at 2.99 a gallon at Mapco in Northport, Al. for $29.49 and bought gas at Texaco Carrier, MS for $3.09 a gallon. We stayed at Hampton Inn in Slidedell at 4:40 PM. We watched TV and went to bed early. We skipped supper full of lunch. 

We stayed one night at Hampton Inn 56460 Frank Pichon Rd, Slidell, La 

Carnival Valor Cruise Ship Stateroom   Deck   Muster Station  

2021 Nov 15, Monday 

Took a shower ate Reese's cup and finished my Sprite. We ate breakfast at the hotel. I ordered scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, and cranberry juice to drink. We checked out, loaded the car, and headed into New Orleans. We ran into work traffic on 1-10 going into New Orleans. We parked on 4A in the parking deck walked to the elevators and went to the ground level to wait in line to be processed along with everyone else. A woman called out Have your boarding passes ready for inspection (not folded) We walked through several lines. We handed the inspector our passports, boarding passes, COVID cards, and the results of our Covid test that showed we were negative from the results of the Covid test. Several more lines & finally we were seated waiting to board the ship at 10:40 AM. Our rooms would not be ready until after 1:30 p.m. After boarding the ship we walked to Guys Burgers where we both ordered a hamburger and fries. I got lemonade to drink. The dressing for the hamburger was on a buffet, I got onions and fried mushrooms. When we finished we walked around the ship carrying several bags. (Camera bag with Nikon D7200, medicine bag, my purse, and overnight bag) Wanda had her backpack and her purse. Around 1:30pm we walked to our cabin unloaded everything and rested. We went back upstairs to watch the ship leave the dock and that’s when the party began. (4-5PM )We watched the sunset as the ship rolled down the mighty Mississippi and it was dark by the time we reached the ocean. We went back to our cabin and changed into nicer clothes to dine in the Lincoln Room for dinner. I started with a shrimp cocktail, followed by a Caesar Salad, the entree was Sweet & Sour Shrimp followed by Strawberry cake. (5-6PM) At dinner we sat next to a couple from Tennessee near Cookeville, they had left their 13-year-old daughter at home with her grandparents because she refused to get the Covid shot. After dinner, we went to our cabin 9268 which had a balcony, and went to bed early. 

Leaving New Orleans on Carnival Valor 

Sunset leaving New Orleans on the Mighty Mississippi River 

 Nov 16, Tuesday, Sea Day

Took a shower and we went upstairs so Wanda could get her some coffee and I got some cranberry juice. We watched the sunrise around 6Am then went to the Washington room for Brunch. I ordered a Parfait it had lots of nuts, Blueberries, strawberries, and yogurt. While we were at brunch they cleaned our cabin and left a towel art laying on the bed. I ate a small taco for lunch. Today is a sea day so we sat outside and watched schools of flying fish. Today was very windy and the water was very turbulent. It was hard to walk and at times everyone looked like they were drunk. We had dinner in the Lincoln Room no one sat next to us tonight. I ordered prime ribs with gravy and potatoes, my appetizer was cocktail shrimp and for dessert, I ordered custard pie. 

 

Sunset Gulf of Mexico (Sea Day)

Nov 17, Wednesday, Mr. Sancho's Cozumel Mexico 

Watched the sun come up and then went to breakfast. For breakfast, I ate cantaloupe, French toast with syrup, eggs Benedict (which I didn't like), and chocolate milk. Today we docked in Cozumel. We took a taxi to Mr. Sancho’s which cost us 17 dollars both ways. It is a fifteen-minute ride south of Cozumel. At Mr. Sancho’s it cost us 55 dollars for all-you-can-eat and drink. We sampled a Margarita, & daiquiris while sitting under a bamboo roof.  There was a rain shower while we were there but we didn’t get wet. We watched people swimming, snorkeling, and other activities but we decided to just enjoy the view under the umbrella. We saw several birds scavenging for food. We were brought fried jumbo coconut shrimp, with orange sauce, guacamole, salsa, and chips. We also sampled a Pina Colada, Miami Vice, Banana Mama, and Mr. Sancho’s special. Our waiter was Aldo a charming young man who said he was married with a young son. He said that we were queens for the day. He introduced us to his co-worker he said the son of another mother both were very gracious and helpful. We took the taxi back to the shopping area in Cozumel. I bought a pair of pineapple teal shorts and a Burgundy top and spent $34.50. We went back through security and loaded onto the ship around 2:30PM. We watched the ship leave port at 4:30PM. We ate dinner in the Lincoln Room. I ordered Caesar salad, steak with gravy, potatoes, & broccoli. My appetizer was a shrimp cocktail and the dessert was chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. Tomorrow we will dock in Progresso. 

Day trip to Cozumel 

Our waiter Aldo at Mr. Sancho's Beach

Nov 18, Thursday, Progresso Mexico 

Ate breakfast and saw towel art everywhere around the pool area. We docked at Progresso and embarked around 9AM with my boarding pass around my neck and my iPad in my hand. We loaded into a van, and there were 14 of us. We rode about an hour to Celestron where we used the restrooms and loaded into three boats. There were 4 in two boats and six in one boat. Wanda said I hope we don’t turn over because I cannot swim and our guide Misael said the water is only two feet deep. We saw pink flamingos at a distance. Flamingos eat small shrimp that live in shallow waters. They also eat algae & crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. These pigments are found in the shrimp and blue-green algae that they eat. Next, we rode a short distance and saw Blue Herons, osprey, American Anhinga, and pygmy kingfisher. We rode through a tunnel of Mangroves where we saw several termite mounds in the mangrove Yucatán peninsula biodiversity. We stopped at a boardwalk where we saw a pygmy kingfisher. We rode back to where we had parked the van, exited the boat used the rest-rooms, and looked at the trinkets that were for sale. We loaded into the van and rode to the beach area where our meals were being prepared. At the restaurant, we ate chips & guacamole dip, smoked fish, veggies, and a margarita. We stayed on the beach for about 30 minutes. 

Loaded back into the van for an hour-long ride back to the ship. Our guide played the movie "The Big Year" a nature movie about two bird enthusiasts trying to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition.

We loaded onto the ship and watched the ship leave port at sunset. We dressed for dinner, cocktail shrimp, Cajun shrimp, bread, and dessert We went to a show for about 60 minutes. 

Island of Progreso 

                                                                  

Some of the birds that we saw at Progreso 

 Nov 19, Friday, Sea Day 

Sea Day we are on our return trip to New Orleans. We ate brunch in the Washington room, I ordered bread and sausage with cheese grits. We went upstairs and got in line to purchase an item that benefits St. Jude where I bought a build-a-bear. We watched the Carnival Valor Family & Mardi Gras giveaway with Matt the cruise director. That night in the Lincoln room I ordered fried shrimp, salad, ribs, green beans, potatoes with gravy, and a dessert. Watched a Dean Martin special on TV, then went to sleep. 

Friday's Sunrise 

Nov 20, Saturday, Travel Home 

 Packed the night before, making sure we had everything. We went to eat breakfast a couple of pastries, with two chocolate milk. Grabbed our bags and met the Silver & Platinum sailors in the Lincoln Dining room. Loaded into the elevators and walked to our car our level 4A. Began our journey home. Filled up with gas at Love's in Sandersville, MS $28.31 We ordered a sausage, and cheese muffin at McDonald's. For lunch, we stopped at Arby’s for a beef & cheddar sandwich with Curley fries and a Coke. We were at Wanda’s by 4:30pm but hubby had not gotten home from work so we sat around and talked until hubby picked me up.

Hampton Inn 56460 Frank Pichon Rd, Slidell, La

Carnival Valor Cruise Ship Stateroom   Deck   Muster Station 

✈️✈️✈️2019 Mar 24-30, Trip to Naples, Florida

Sunday, May 24, 2019

Southwest Airlines Flight 1066 

Leaves BNA at 10:15 at Gate C19 boarding group B. Position 3 arriving at FLL at 1:25 AM 

Hubby took me to Nashville airport. We ate dinner at Red Robin Spring Hill we split a hamburger and fries at 6:55 PM

Monday, March 25, 2019

It was a one and half hour's drive to Naples so it was early morning when we arrived at Lora’s apartment. We both slept late.

For breakfast, I ate a slice of raisin bread and a banana. 

Lora had an infusion in Fort Myers that day so I rode with her. We stopped at Bass Pro Shop just off I-75 address 10040 Gulf Center Fort Myers.

At Bass Pro Shop we saw river fish, ocean fish, raccoons, black bears, waterfowl, alligators, and Everglades.

The bartender said I could come inside and take pictures of the tropical fish and coral reefs in the aquarium. Hanging on the walls we saw Southern Stingrays, Great Hammer Head Shark, Sailfish, yellow tuna, and black-tip sharks.

Outside we saw an old blue Red Head Pickup and a Great Gray Heron Bench where people could sit.

Red Head Pickup 

coral reef in the aquarium

I bought a pair of sunglasses to block out the sun for my eyes were giving me a fit. 

Lora gave one of her Zyrtecs for allegories and some saline to wash out my eyes. 

She also gave me one of her steroid tablets for infection. 

At lunch, we stopped at Chick-fil-A Lora and I split a salad and each ordered a chicken sandwich with water to drink location 5825 Airport Pulling Rd Naples, Fl 

I was so tired from the day's adventures and not getting enough sleep that I fell asleep on the sofa while Lora and Jackie went shopping.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 

Lora had an early morning infusion so I watched TV until she returned. I ate a banana and a slice of raisin bread for breakfast. 

Lora made a ham, cheese, avocado spinach sandwich on toasted bread, and fruit salad for lunch. 

We rode to Clam Bay Beach 410 Seagate Drive Naples, Fl 34103, where we took the trolley down the walkway to the beach.

Clam Bay Beach 

Pelican at Clam Bay Beach 

The Park consists of 35 acres of mangrove forest, coastal dunes, and 3200 linear feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico. There is a boardwalk, which provides access to the beach through a mangrove forest. The boardwalk is about three-quarters of a mile long and can be walked or you can catch a ride on a free tram that runs continuously throughout the day.

We saw several people on the beach, boaters, and people fishing. We saw waterfowl flying overhead and in the water. A dolphin and manatee were spotted.  We saw children playing in the sand. We saw a couple of children fishing and catching fish.

We saw a sign that said Welcome to Clam Pass Park. A sign that read Shells of Paradise Coast, which included worm shells, Calico Scallops, Mon Snail, Olive shells, fighting conch, Sandollar, Lighting Welk, Starfish, and Horse Conch. There was a sign about Palmetto and Fakahatchee grass.http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/fakahatchee.html

All-day parking was $8.

We rode back to the apartment and walked around the lake where we saw a few birds. 

At 7:30 we rode to Vanderbilt Beach on Pelican Bay to watch an amazing sunset. 

Sunset on Vanderbilt Beach 

Located at 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road Naples, FL 34102 at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road, Vanderbilt Beach County Park borders the Gulf of Mexico near plenty of hotels, shopping, and restaurants. 

We met Jackie and Geo on the beach along with hundreds of people watching the sun melt into the bay.

What a way to end the day! We ate pizza for supper. Jackie’s boyfriend spent the night.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Lora and I spent the day at Naples Botanical Gardens 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL 34112 1-4:40PM Cost $19.99 each.💐 🌷

We browsed in the Chabraja Visitor Center.

Irma’s Garden was full of charismatic plants such as the screw pines.

Katharine’s Garden was a lush tropical landscape.

LaGrippe Orchid Garden was full of colorful, fragrant orchid species from around the world. 

Botanical Garden 

Orchid Garden

Lea Asian Garden had a Southeast Asia Javanese temple, an ancient blaze landscape filled with Bayan trees, a bamboo grove of established fruits, a lotus pool, stepping stone path through the garden that led to the Balinese Shrine.

Kapnick Brazilian Garden was a garden of people of great diversity and color with a very colorful wall.

Kapnick Caribbean garden was full of towering palms, tropical fruit, and vegetables

Smith Children's Garden was full of vibrant flowers, vegetables, and butterflies a landscape for children. We saw a bicycle, a hand pump, and a toilet decorated with flowers. We saw Flo and Joe flower people working in the vegetable garden. A large turtle made of seashells. 

Scotts Florida Garden was full of trees, palms, a cascading stream, Lake Topkie, and Deep Lake. Florida was once an ancient seafloor.

There was a 90-acre Nature sanctuary boardwalk which we did not take.

Water Garden with a lily pool full of lily pads and a boardwalk. 

On exhibit, in the gardens, you will find Reflections on Glass: Frabel in the Garden features diverse and complex sculptures that at times mimic the plants within the garden. If you look you may find parallels between Frabel’s pieces and the natural shapes of plants in forms and towering cube structures, each piece inspires viewers to discover the wonders of our living collection.

For supper, Lora and I split a chicken and shrimp Carbonara, breadsticks, and salad at Olive Garden, 1565 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102 we had leftovers. I used my Christmas gift card to pay. $23,37.

That night Lora and I met several of her friends at the Comedy Club, a two-drink minimum.

I ordered two bottles of glasses of water for @2.50 each. I was too full from supper to drink so I brought my water home. 

The show was bashing ex-spouses which I did not think was too funny.

I enjoyed spending time with Lora’s friends.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

I ate leftovers from Olive Garden for breakfast and lunch.

We rode to the Naples Preserve Boardwalk corner of U.S. 41 North and Fleischmann Boulevard where we walked along the boardwalk looking for box and gopher turtles. We talked with one of the park rangers walking on the bare ground looking for turtles to make sure they were okay.

Inside the center we saw signs telling about Naples Botanical Gardens,  Delnor-Wiggins Pass,  Rookery Bay, Collier-Seminole, Shy Wolf, (Cardinal, Mocking Birds nests), boat Tailed Crackle nest) Natural Communities of Naples Preserve, Turtle Shells, What's in bloom, butterflies, bugs, Collier County, and Myrtle Oaks.

Tucan Statue

Penguin 

Seal

Our next stop was Naples Zoo 1590 Goodlette Rd Naples Florida 34102.

Displayed throughout the zoo was Art to Save the Sea, artwork made completely from garbage collected from beaches. 

The art we saw was Natasha the turtle, Priscilla the Faust Fish, Lidia the Seal, Rufus the Tiger Fish, American Sea Star, Daisy the Polar Bear, Grace the Humpback Whale, Gertrude the Penguin, and Chompers the Shark.

We stood in a long line to ride a slow-moving, tour-guided, ferry around Monkey Island.

Very cool, enjoyable, and informative ride about Madagascar Animals

There were signs located under a thatched roof telling about Monkey Island: they were trees like nowhere else, the island of Lemurs, Bigger than any dinosaur egg, the Madagascar Ferna group helps preserve the wonders of a fragile island nation.

We saw signs about Invisible Geckos, Abundant Chameleons, Madagascar burning, and living wonders. 

We saw American Alligators, Giant Anteater, Cotton-top Tamarin, Aldabra Tortoise,  Slender Horned Gazelle, Mt Bongo, Sulcate Tortoise, Gopher Tortoise, Clouded Leopard, and others.

We watched the feeding of the giraffes and alligators. Dr. Henry Nehrling the founder of the Botanical Garden, Henry Badger, Plains Zebra, Feeding the Alligators, Cheetah, Why the Railroad Trestle? The famous toucan sign, Dead Trees Help the Living, and Marvelous Marsh make for fabulous filters A swamp mystery, planting helps with trees for the future, Shade-grown coffee helps farmers, birds, and the land, and can you find all these birds.

Friday, March 29, 2019 

We stopped at Dollar Tree for sunscreen, and snacks to take to Delnor-Wiggins State Park beach.

Located 11135 Gulf Shore Drive Naples, Fl 34108

One of the most popular seaside destinations in Naples, the mile-long stretch of white sugar sand at Delnor-Wiggins has been rated as one of the best beaches in the nation. 

We saw Gray Pelicans perched, swimming, and flying overhead. 

We saw a Fish Hawk Osprey perched in a tree holding a fish.

We saw seagulls and white egrets waiting for a free fish from a fisherman.

This beach was more secluded than the other beaches that we had visited. 

We rode to Naples Municipal Beach and walked out on the long pier to watch the sunset, with lots of people waiting for the sunset.

 Naples Municipal Beach Sunset

Address 25 12th Av S Naples Florida 34102 

Built in 1888 as a freight and passenger dock, The Naples Pier stands as a community landmark

We rode to historic downtown Naples, Lora and Michelle waited in a long line of people to order our ice cream at Kilwins 743 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102.

Saturday, March 30, 2019

Lora had an infusion that morning so I spent the morning with Jackie and Geo. We went to North Collier Regional Children’s Park 15000 Livingston Rd Naples, FL.

North Collier Regional Children’s Park

Geo enjoyed playing at the Can U Dig It state-of-the-art playground that looks like something from the future with a colorful, modern design.  

The sleek look packs a lot of play value. The playground includes slides, swings, and climbing apparatus, but takes play a step further.  Kids can spin themselves dizzy on squiggly poles, climb on boulders that look like they came from the Monument Valley, or become junior archeologists in the covered fossil dig area.

When we got ready to go Jackie realized she had locked her keys in her car. She called her boyfriend and he brought her a spare set.

We rode back to the apartment by this time Lora had returned. 

Lora, Michelle, and I rode to Fort Lauderdale to spend the rest of the day before my flight. 

We Stopped at Quarterdeck Restaurant 300 N Beach Rd Dania Beach, FL where we ate dinner.

Quarterdeck Restaurant

Quarterdeck Restaurant

We ordered three tacos, smoked shrimp, and smoked fish with French fries and we all drank water with lemon.

We saw British Airways, & Southwest jets fly over so we knew the airport was close by.

You could see several towering buildings in the downtown area from Dania Pier.

We saw several cruise ships leave so Fort Lauderdale must be a hub port for cruise ships.

There were a lot of people sitting on the beach a few in the water. The beaches were full of seagrass, more turbulent, and not as clear as the Naples Beaches.

We watched and waited for a lift bridge to let a sailboat through. The traffic was heavy in the downtown area so I told Lora to take me to the airport and they could do some sightseeing.

I boarded the flight at 9:30 traveling Flight 4145 Boarding group B 23 one hour and a half flight.

Arrived in Nashville around 11:30PM, hubby picked me up and we rode home.

We stopped at the gas station picked up some snacks and rode home we arrived home around 1:30AM. 

Had a great visiting my daughter and all the places we went to,