Spring Break 2019!!

DAY#1 We started our tour of Florida at Silver Springs State Park. I was hoping to see manatees but they seemed to be gone for the season. The water was still so beautiful though.

The other wild animal we hoped to see...

After a walk around the forest boardwalk we saw them! Although from far away.

After getting ice cream, we decided to look one more time and success!

The monkey's were really close this time making the stop worth a visit.

DAY#2 After staying overnight in Sarasota, we set out to explore the area. 1st stop was the grounds of the Ringling Museum. Here is Mr. Ringling's summer home. We didn't want to pay to see the inside but I imagine it's just as magnificent as the outside.

We especially loved all the huge banyan trees.

They even allowed climbing. What a treat!

The kids areas with a really long slide. Notice Benny climbing up the side for perspective.

Jackson taking a closer look at the outdoor marble patio. This place was right on the water too.

The pink building was the Ringling art museum. Again the grounds were gorgeous but we didn't want to pay to see inside.

Next stop, the Mote Marine Aquarium. FREE with our WNC Nature Center passes!

Addy was our main motivation to go here. The girl loves aquariums!

It was cool to see the shark tank from above, especially when his fin came above the water.

Addy had to touch a sea creature so she pet a stingray.

I liked this huge turtle and the other turtles in the rescue center.

We finally made it to our condo in Sanibel Island and to the beach.

The beach was just a short walk away. It wasn't as nice as we had anticipated because there was tons of algae on the beach and in the shallow water.

The place we stayed called the Colony Inn was so tropical and nice.

DAY#3 Sunrise walk on the beach. We hoped to find some awesome shells since that's what Sanibel is known for but we didn't find any.

After exploring the J.N. Ding Darling Nature Refuge we decided to go kayaking!!

We followed a numbered trail through the mangroves. This was one of the kids favorite things from our trip. I was impressed they didn't get tired, especially these two.

Aaron and I were usually in the back even paddling at full speed.

We were busy taking pictures and looking for things in the clear water.

After lunch we headed to the pool.

So nice when everyone plays together.

Going in to change and get some dinner.

Our poor baby was dead tired after this day.

Famous island ice cream from just down the street.

DAY#4 Everglade Wonder Gardens. FREE with our GA botanical garden pass. The best part about this place was their beautiful flamingos.

Addy trying to pet one! I tried to feed them but they only ate from the water.

My very favorite beach on this trip. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park a rare gem.

The color of the water was so perfect. Too bad we didn't have our suits with us.

Not many people were swimming for some reason. I also saw some of the better shells here too.

The dark area the kids are looking at is actually a school of minnows. So neat!

Next stop, Corey Billie's Airboat Rides!

So loud, so fast, and it looked like we were going to run into the trees and bushes. Everyone loved it!!

Our driver was a local with just one tooth. A real man, he actually reached into the water and picked up this wild alligator!

On our way out we even got to hold a smaller one. It had a surprisingly heavy tail.

Mexican for dinner. The kids only table.

DAY#5 Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 2.25mi boardwalk hike.

We saw some huge trees, a raccoon, alligator, poisonous snake, turtles and tons of pretty scenery.

Pond filled with lily pads.

Two months ago I signed up for a FREE tour of the Bird Gardens of Naples. We were told to bring nuts to feed the birds. What a blast!

The peacock whisperer.

Feeding her favorite bird.

Close up.

What is Josh thinking!?

The crazy bird lady. She even kisses them and knows them all by name.

Ouch, your sharp nails are digging into my skin.

Yay, even Aaron got brave enough to hold a bird! This one ate the top pin off my hat he's wearing.

Addy's happy!! She loves all animals.

Aaron looks small holding this big rare bird. Reminded me of the movie Rio.

The kids were as amused by the dog as they were by the birds.

We may never get another family picture like this again. HA! Such a fun and unique experience.

Everglades National Park, FREE with Aaron's 4th grade pass!

1st alligator sighting. Did someone put him there, it felt staged for some reason!?

The black anhinga bird on the Anhinga Trail!

DAY#6 After staying overnight at the Key Largo Hampton, we headed to the famous Robbie's to feed the tarpon.

Or rather for Josh to feed them. Yikes! So cool to see so many big fish and inside their mouths.

Benny & Jackson both dropped a few fish in the water but they were not as brave as their dad.

Bahia Honda State Park. About an hour short of Key West. A little chilly to be swimming.

Building mud castles.

Everyone included. I walked along the beach to find some treasures but couldn't find anything.

The beach had lots of rocks and greenery which I think make it way more beautiful.

Do you see what's in the water behind me?

Rare close encounter with dolphins! We paid for it though, with a Groupon for an Island Dolphin Care Tour.

It was neat to be so close and learn about these smart animals.

They had a touch tank with some rare star fish.

And we got to see the dolphins do some tricks.

Back at the hotel, Jackson had finally found one!

A giant iguana. We had seen a few but this evening there were at least 10 on the canal side of the hotel.

We also saw a lion fish in the canal.

Sunset is supposed to be a grand event on the keys so I made sure to be there for it.

The next morning I ate breakfast next to the canal, on the lookout for a manatee that another guest had seen the previous morning.

Another well disguised iguana can out once the sun heated things up.

The kids playing their made up card game. LOVE it!! They play all the time.

Perfect island scenery.

FINALLY!! After 2 hours, around check out time, my manatee showed up to say HI. I was almost close enough to pet him.

Oh, how that made my day. The kids and Josh were there to see him too.

On our way home we stopped in Miami to see the Wynn Walls. Spray painted art on so many buildings throughout the city. Even Josh took a picture and he NEVER does.

So much creativity. And a unique thing to see.

One of my very favorites! I got in the picture to show perspective. This was one of 2 eyes. If you look close, flamingos and palm trees are painted in the blue part.

Manatee!

We ate lunch at a popular taco joint to end our visit.

After about an hour of driving Aaron puked. We thought we was car sick so we stopped at our next sight, Blowing Rocks on Jupiter Island.

We only had a few minutes to see this neat place before it closed.

The water at high tide jets 50ft into the air through holes in the rock.

The boys in their normal formation. Little did we know at the time Aaron was about to puke again every hour or so for the next 24. We assume he got food poisoning. Poor guy.

Such a clear rainbow along the highway as we're heading home.

We decided to stop in Daytona Beach as a halfway point. The next mornings sunrise off our balcony.

Thankful we made it home safe, sound, and healthy. Longest blog post EVER and our longest trip too! It was such a fun bonding experience for all of us.