Traveling Southwest Florida

Today was spent on the road mostly. We drove to Naples, then down to the jumping off place: Everglade City. That is a great place to see: people on huge yachts come in, dock, and eat at the Gun and Rifle Restaurant, a very plush, very expensive restaurant, a place most of us cannot afford to eat at every day. Other than this, the area is very isolated, with no grand houses at all. It probably has about 500 year-round residents who make their living off fishing and tourists. There are no famous motels, etc., just a place to drive in to see and perhaps drive back to Naples for the evening. If you have never taken a ride on an air boat, you should do so while here.

From Everglade City, we drove back through the alligator highway (not Alligator Alley) to the Indian Village of Immokole. Of course, we had to hit the slots for about an hour. I left with a few more little bills than I carried in but nothing to brag about. Don lost a few bucks and so did our friends, Bo and Rose. It was a great trip regardless. It is so like the Carribean Islands with the beautiful palm trees. Many of the homes here are much more elaborate, however, especially in Naples. I strongly recommend that you plan a trip to Southwest Florida if you have never been here. It's well worth your trip, especially in the winter when it's not so hot.