For a break from the grey, Vancouver rain, I escaped to southern Florida for some sun and warmth.

First stop … the Everglades.  We stayed at a B&B that used to be the old bank. Our room was called the Credit Department and it was a bit like sleeping on a bed in someone’s old office. Probably because that’s exactly what it was! But, it was comfy and air-conditioned. And, better the credit department than the loan department!

The Everglades is a tropical wetland, with lots and lots of mangrove islands.  We did a boat tour into the mangrove islands and I asked our intrepid pilot how old the islands were. He answered, “that’s a political question, like climate change”.  No, no it’s not. It’s a science question. The answer is not 6,000 years.  Human habitation in the islands goes back at least 15,000 years. I was very proud of myself that my head didn’t explode. Must have been the vacation spirit. (or spirits?)

Three trips out into the islands – a large boat, the small mangrove swamp trip and a rented canoe – made for some lovely time in nature.  And, some great photos …

And, of course, we saw alligators!

We were smiling as we left, too.