Day Trip to Naples and the Big Cypress National Preserve

Today we decided to take a day trip to Naples and the Big Cypress National Preserve which is in the everglades of Florida.  In Naples we spent our time driving around near the beach looking at some of the homes in the historic district of the city and just kind of checking things out.  The houses were over the top but I particularly liked the landscaping around the houses.  The variety of plants and trees you see in this part of Florida is just amazing.  

One thing that surprised me in driving around Naples was the amount of new houses being built in these very wealthy old neighbor hoods.  Everywhere you looked a brand new house was under construction which first required tearing down an old house, probably valued at several million dollars, that originally stood on the lot.  I have heard on political and financial shows that the gap between the rich and middle class has widened significantly over the last 20 years.  I guess this kind of supports the super rich are doing pretty good. 

After seeing the manatees, birds and some alligators at the preserve we stopped at the only restaurant/bar in around 50 miles in any direction.  They had live music cold beer and a good vibe  around the restaurant.  I had the assorted seafood platter that included crab claws, grouper,  and shrimp.  Huli ordered the crab cake sandwich and then we shared.  The food was only so so for the price but the atmosphere and the people working at the place were great.

This was probably the last time I will do much sight seeing before my surgery next week.  I am ready to get it over with so I can start the process of recovering.  The reason I have put this off for so many years is due to the recovery time with this procedure.  I told my neighbor I would rather have a hip and knee replaced instead of the Haglund's deformity surgery I am going in for.  It is not uncommon to have swelling that lasts for 10-12 months after surgery.  I will not be able to put any weight on my foot for at least a month not to mention the first two weeks after surgery being spent with by foot above my heart for 23 out of 24 hours a day.  Oh well in the end I hope I will be able to walk normally without any pain.  That will make it all worth it.

Here are some pictures of our trip today.  There probably isn't a house in any of these Naples pictures that would go for under $10 million.  This area of Naples is one of many where the really wealthy live. I like the character of these houses and the properties surrounding them.  You also saw a lot of people out walking and riding bicycle's.

I was told this is a papaya tree

 We started outside but moved inside closer to the music.

My kind of place.  The one unique thing about this place is you help yourself to the beer that is in either the refrigerator or in one of four coolers sitting on the floor.  You keep your bottle caps so you can keep track of how many you drank when it comes time to settle the bill. 

This guy must have watched too many Crocodile Dundee movies.  It's hard to see but he has a knife about 14 inches long strapped to his right side.  It's the kind that has finger holes in the handle.  This is the refrigerator where you just help yourself to the beer or other drinks.

 

 There are several times in my life when I wished I would have known where this store was located.

 Doesn't every bar have a stuffed owl hanging from the ceiling.

If not an owl how about an alligator head?

 

 I will never order crab that comes in these little claws.  Too damn much work for the little bit of meat you get out of them.  The grouper and shrimp were very good though.

Huli hard at work playing dice with friends. 

 

 A small portion of a wall of pictures of people who are much prouder of their bodies than I am.

Yes, I take my camera to the restroom since many times that is where you see the best "sayings" or pictures. 

One day I should publish a book with just stories and pictures I have taken from the hundreds of bars I have been to in my life.  I wished I would have started taking the pictures earlier since I didn't start doing that until later in life.

If not the smallest post office in the U.S. it has to be in the running.