Photos-Naples Botanical Gardens!

Definitely a favourite stop. I took hundreds of pictures. Here are a few favourites.

Graceland

Spent a night at Graceland RV Park. Major thunderstorms kept us up most of the night. Toured the mansion, airplanes and car museum. It was interesting to see where Elvis lived and the tour was narrated to give you history and details of the home and how he and his family spent their time there. There was a constant stream of tourists, can't imagine how much they rake in at that place! He and his parents and grandmother are burried here. There is a meditation garden which is quite moving.

Back on the highway that afternoon we stopped at Johnston City,  Illinois. We stayed at the Arrowhead Lake Campground, which reviews refer to as a "hidden gem".  It was, and the gentleman who manages the park, Danny, was the sweetest man. He gave us a great site which overlooked a beautiful meadow...private, and it was extremely reasonable at only $18 for the night! We have met soo many truly kind souls and good people on this trip.

This morning we headed back out and have landed at the Dayton, Ohio, KOA. This is our first KOA. Pricey!!! It's beautifully landscaped and the services and facility are top notch, BUT not necessary. The other sites we've experienced work just as well and you don't really need all the bells and whistles, especially when just staying overnight.

New Orleans!

We LOVE New Orleans!!!!!! What a place!! We will definitely return for a longer trip.....a plethora or things to do, see, experience, very very rich in culture.  And the food!!!! Off the hook! This was our favourite stop of our trip. I was too hung over to update the blog this am...had a very fun night at the spotted cat on Frenchman street listening to live jazz, the shotgun jazz band, super good! We bought 2 of their CDs. Now on the road to Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee!!! It's on the way home so we thought it was a must. Should be fun, going to stay at the Graceland rv park directly across the street from Graceland. Will update and upload pictures in time.

On the road again...

Sadly we've decided to leave Naples tomorrow morning. We'd love to stay here forever! Looks like we'll be heading to New Orleans.

Naples photos

Drove past a group of borrowing owls!!! Adorable...there were about 6 of them, but this one was posing for the camera!

Naples Pier.

Sunset tonight.

Everglades photos

Baby American crocodile.

Most poisonous tree in the world, the Manchineel tree, yikes!

Canal.

Mucho mangroves.

Orchid.

Pine snake...not poisonous.

Another canal.

Egret...very common, see them constantly.

Large crocodile!

Many osprey...this one was feeding 3 babies!

Black vulture...similar to turkey vulture.

Alligator.

Red winged black bird.

 

We found these signs amusing and disturbing at the same time.

The Florida panther is found in the Everglades and we've seen signs like this here in Naples on our way out to Marco Island the other day as well.

Gator!

Photos

Back at Long Key...a pretty Iguana!

Took a bike ride to watch the sunset.