Thursday started out wonderfully. We were on the search to find some Manatee's. Unfortunately the manatee's are not gonna be around until late November or early December.... but what we did find was equally wonderful!

Manatee's in the springs and other wild places are not coming for another month or so but we found a state run Manatee park. The manatee's here are wounded or unable to be returned to the wild so they have this park where anyone can visit them. Dad and I did not want to see captive manatee's so we decided to hit the road and see the Everglades.

On our way we did find Mel's Diner. We both enjoyed the "World's Smallest Sundae" for only .99. YEAH I also got to hear about how Dad found himself a position as a free laborer at an orange grove. ha ha It is funny what people will find interesting. I'm sure the people doing the hard labor thought it was great that this Missouri boy wanted to come by and pick oranges for an hour or two and not get paid for it. Both parties were pleased as punch. Dad got to see first hand how oranges were picked and these guys got to have some oranges unloaded by someone else. Great story Dad!

From Mel's we drove and drove and drove.....

After driving long enough along the main thoroughfare we decided to check out some beach. When we came off the main highway to start driving the beach highway we found the most delightful surprise.

Tarpon Springs has a fantastic Greek district. We stumbled right into the middle of it and the center for natural sponge shopping. Dad bought some loofas and some natural sponges. I am taking one with me to central america! This part of town is chock full of Greek restaurants, groceries, bakeries, and shops. I must go back there! It is stunning - amazing - fantastic. We both had full stomachs or we would have surely dined here. It is beautiful and the people are beautiful. A must see for this area. Dad and I talked about it for hours.

When you look at a florida state map... look along the west coast and find the highway that takes you by some 12 different beaches. It is a beautiful drive.

After those beaches you have to take a tollway that takes you across a huge spanner bridge. I'll get the specifics from Dad about highway numbers and such. Take my word for it... this tollway is fantastic!

A truly beautiful bridge and wonderful view. Florida state has also impressed me here as well. The state has put two fishing piers into place at either end of this tollway. The piers are not little wooden docks for anglers to perch on. No these are full 1/2 mile to mile long concrete piers that RV's can drive onto and turn around on. They are spectacular! Plus there are roadside parks for drivers to pull over and enjoy a picnic in. I really am impressed with this states efforts to give its visitors and locals alike a wonderful experience.

We drove the beach, enjoyed a public beach access point where I got to dip my toes in the Gulf of Mexico!

We got hungry for some mexican food and happened upon the most authentic and best tasting mexican restaurant ever..... ever. The prices were perfect, the food was fabulous, service was impeccable, and the location... priceless. The neighboring businesses were an adult store, a mattress store, and a biker bar... or tattoo shop.... either way we felt there was a theme. Short of the mexican restaurant this particular strip mall was geared for a distinct clientele. ha ha Yet again we found a locals eatery that was fantastic. Our luck here is running great.

We also found a Florida Orange Growers winery. The wines looked fantastic but the prices looked horrific. There were pina colada, raspberry, orange, grapefruit, and key lime wines available. Too bad they were soooo expensive.

Dad and I made it to Naples and another hotel room. I instantly liked Naples. funny thing is... I had not seen much of it or experienced any of it at all but there was a feeling about it that hit me dead on. We found our way to the downtown area and walked around checking out stores, art galleries, and restaurants. Finally we chose a nice little joint with big prices. Two appetizers, a salad, and two unappealing martini's later we were ready for sleep time.

Our waitress turned out to be quite an interesting resource for us. Her and her boyfriend, highly hopeful to be fiancee one day, went on a mission trip with there church to build a relationship with a certain native community in Honduras. We talked at length about traveling in Central America and what that was like. She wished me well on my travels and I wished her well on her upcoming engagement. :)

Good night Thursday....