Orlando

Rail service from NYC to Florida has been around for many years. A Google search will bring up some cool old pics of the Silver Meteor chugging through the Sunshine State in the 1950's. Obviously, many of the passengers on our train were heading to see that much-loved mouse in Orlando. While we were heading to Kissimmee, and avoiding the Disney theme parks, I was interested to watch the mass exodus at the Orlando station as eager vacationers streamed out of the train with visions of Cinderella's castle and character breakfasts dancing in their sleep deprived heads. As you can see, our destination station in Kissimmee was a little more quaint.

Silver Meteor from Kissimmee to NYC

Well, we're back home in New England after the vacation of a lifetime! The Silver Meteor brought us back to New York City with only 15 minutes worth of delays - not bad for a 22 hour trip! I'll post pictures and details soon but since I'm back at work I'll just leave a couple of Sanibel memory shots for today. The lighthouse was gorgeous and the alligator warnings on the island were real. We didn't see a gator on the resort property but those signs had us wondering!

Sea World, Orlando

Yesterday we took a seven mile canoe trip up the Weeki Wachee river and saw some unspoiled Florida wilderness. Manatees, including a mother and calf, cruised under us at times, giant spiders were spinning webs between palm trees, turtles sunned themselves on logs, and it was nice to see a part of Florida that wasn't overrun with tourists wanting a stuffed Mickey or a giant oversized pair of tighty whiteys that says "A Fart a day keeps the Wife away, Florida" - yes, we actually saw this today at a frightening flea market here in Orlando. Due to the very wet nature of yesterday's trip, we left the digital camera in the car and brought a disposable in a Ziploc baggie; so those pictures won't be ready for a few days. So, today I'm posting a few shots taken at Sea World last week. I really try to take time to savor the different flora and fauna of Florida; stuff we just don't see back in Boston. Some of these pictures are from exhibits at Sea World but some are just gorgeous wildlife and flowers we saw in the area. I hope you enjoy them.

No longer an American company

Well, I'm exhausted after canoing the Weeki Waachi river today and seeing manatees in the wild - very cool! Just a quick post to say that they need to change the sign at the Hospitality Suite at Busch Gardens in Tampa....I'm afraid it doesn't apply any more :-(
My brother-in-law and I still enjoyed the 2 free beers they gave us!
The bird gardens were spectacular, and I could've watched the flamingos all day. I also made a new primate friend, while my nephew made a new feathered friend!