Today is our last day in warm, sunny Florida. I’m trying not to think about the 12 weeks of Chicago winter I will endure before we head to Costa Rica. We spent a lot of time strolling in the sun. So nice to be outside without four layers of clothing between me and the air. I’m not a lay-on-the-beach person, but I do enjoy being near the ocean.

If you have been reading our blog, you will know that we love a good national park hike. We had planned to go to the Everglades National Park, but our moron in chief messed that up. We still could have gone, but there would have been no services and no way to buy our traditional fridge magnet, so I nixed the trip. Next time. Luckily, you don’t need the Everglades to see the alligators. We went to Green Cay Wetlands instead and I was able to satisfy my longing to see the prehistoric creatures. We joked that they were plastic and there for the tourists because we didn’t see a single one move. I know gators are all over Florida (there was one floating in the water right next to my brother Brian’s wedding), but I still like to get out and see them. Being outside in the sun with a lot of water that’s not a lake is a real treat. Green Cay has1.5 miles of boardwalk-type walkways over constructed wetlands and a nature center. If you’re visiting your favorite snow bird, it’s a good place to spend an hour. We also stopped at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, which was only a 5-minute drive away. The boardwalk loop is .75 miles There wasn’t a huge difference at this time of year, but many storks nest there in the spring. Both parks are part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and are free. Of course, we also saw turtles, frogs, and snakes.

Now all that’s left is the packing and trip home after one last 5:30 dinner. I’m afraid to check the temperature in Chicago, but I know I will be lucky if it is above freezing when we land.