In the Everglades

The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Corkscrew Wildlife Refuge. It was a two and a half hour drive from Ruskin, but well worth the effort. The nearly three mile long boardwalk traversed five different ecosystems, including the last stand of old growth cypress forest (with trees over 500 years old), savanna, and wetlands. Although this was the dry season there were still water fowl and alligators around. That's a snowy egret at the bottom. In the early 20th century they were slaughtered by the millions so that fashionable ladies could wear feathers in their hats. The cypress forests were mowed down for their wood, the swamps drained as vermin-infested wasteland. One could weep at the stupidity and greed of human beings.

St. Petersburg

In the fabled Sunken Gardens in St. Pete. It is in the middle of the city, but so opulent in foliage that you think you are somewhere else. It is a former sinkhole that was drained a long time ago.

Harborside Suites

I treated myself to a stay in a resort hotel in Ruskin. It is halfway between Tampa and Sarasota, off the beaten path, on the bay. This is the view from my private lanai. It overlooked the boat basin. Nice.

Costa Rican art

Somebody ate too many peppers...

Botanical Gardens, Sarasota

In the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota.

Sarasota

Souvenir of Canada

Today the temperature in Kansas City hit 104 F – beastly hot. When I look at these photos (all taken by Jason Pollen) I want to dive into the cool, clear water and feel the glacial breezes on my skin. Aaaahhhhhh!