BO AND CINDY'S MARDI GRAS ADVENTURE

Most of our friends and family, not to mention total strangers, wondered why we would go to Mardi Gras. The music, architecture, history, art and culture were the main attraction for Cindy. The title of her xmas present is Cindy, Val and Susan have tea. The unveiling will be this summer at the farm.

I was attracted to other things.
We were told at a bar in Florida that because we were from Michigan we had to register with law enforcement before entering Mardi Gras so I did. They asked me if I was still on my medication and I said I was although how they knew about my cholesteral I don't know.
We had to be careful where we walked because on every street there were people on the balconies that threw stuff at you. Some of the folks yelled at Cindy and some yelled at me.

There were lots of parades where people in funny outfits also threw things at you.
There were lots of folks with signs. This group wanted everyone to remain in town and be happy.
I think this was a father and son team. The son has a beer with a sign that says "Ladies Jesus wants you to show your t..s". Some lady who looked like the wife/mother told them both to 'go to hell' and stomped off to have lunch.
The new orleans version of a rubber tree
Lovely ladies
Young Flamingos
Old Flamingos
I was suprised to learn that 'cajun' is another term for'red neck'.
It was so wild in Mardi Gras I actually saw man kissing his wife.
Footnote: Other photos may be forthcoming--after reviewed by the censors.

Dolphins, Woodpeckers, Manatees and Other Wild Things

Since our last report we've made the most astounding discovery. There's a lot more to Florida than Fort Wilderness Camp ground at Disney.

We took a boat ride on the intercoastal waterway with Rob and Val. Someone had to be the lookout and watch for Dolphins which are known to ram and sink boats.

Captain Rob assembled the crew for a group hug when we set off.
Here are a flock of hostile Dolphins off our Port (maybe Starboard/never could get the lingo). Thanks to my sharp eyes Captain Rob was able to avoid them.

After an exhausting boat ride avoiding Dolphins we picked up Rob's mother Pam and she took us (by boat) to the American Legion Hall (in this case the hall is on the bay) where they had a live band playing Jimmy Buffit music and selling beer for 2 dollars a pitcher.

Then we were off to the McGormans (talk about wild life) where Mike beat me twice at golf. The second 18 holes I only lost by one stroke. I of course had a hole in one. I got so excited I almost dropped my wee (wii) remote.

Then we were off to Manatee Springs. A really really big spring (1.5 million gallons a day) where Manatees hang out. Maybe that explains the name.

Woodpeckers can really be annoying. This one was making a racket next to our trailer. No wonder they're on the endanger species list. I was tempted to chuck a rock at it myself.

At Manitee Springs we learned that Manitees are to be found in the wild. Until then I thought they only lived in Disney World. Unlike the one's in Disney the wild ones just sort of lay around in the mud all day. The grey spots behind Cindy are a herd of the critters.

On our way to Panama Beach we stopped in Apalachicola for oysters. (The town and surrounding area provides 80% of the raw oysters American's eat everyday.) We had no idea until we stopped for gas.

This is Cindy studying her new bird book in back of our camp site. Yup, we're camped on a beach. Life is indeed a beach!

Next week we're heading to Mardi Gras and I'll have more wild animal reports. Missing all our friends and family. Love Bo and Cindy