Florida

 Hans and I took a much needed vacation without the kids.  We were able to head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for five days.  The weather couldn't have been more perfect. 

 These are a few pictures from the Intercoastal Waterway.  The homes here were out of this world.  They each had their own private docks for their massive yachts too.  What a site to see.

 We headed down through Miami on our way to the Florida Keys.  We took the long, scenic route along highway 1 and A1A.  Miami is very busy.

 Above: these were just some of the many, many condos that dot the whole coast of Miami beach.

 When we reached Key Largo, we took a glass bottom boat ride to see all the cool fish.  Florida is home to the world's third largest coral reef.  While at the reef, we saw a few baracuta, sea turtle, and even a shark.  It was pretty impressive and a good way to see fish without having to snorkle or scuba dive (which I will never have a desire to do).

 The last full day of our trip was mostly spent down in the Everglades National Forest.  We were able to take a great airboat ride.  We saw lots of alligators along the way as well as some pretty cool looking birds. 

 The Everglades is sometimes called the river of glass.  It was easy to see why when we were on that airboat.  It was such a beautiful place. 

 Hans and I were able to hold a three year old alligator.  I was really proud of myself.  Reptiles usually freak me out.

 After the boat ride, we took a senic loop drive through more of the everglades.  This picture above is just some of the beauty we saw.  Of course, the nasty snake in the road didn't make me feel that great.  We were on that road for about an hour and a half and I only remember passing two other vehicles the entire time.  It was definitely isolated.  Once we got back on the main road, we realized we were really close to the opposite side of Florida so we decided to keep going all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.  We ended up on Marco Island (just south of Naples).  We ended that afternoon swimming in the Gulf.  Of course, it wouldn't be the Gulf without running into some sting ray.  I was swimming some laps when all the sudden, I looked down and saw a few sting ray circling around me.  NOT A FUN SIGHT!  Needless to say, I don't think I've ever swam so fast in my life.

 On our last night, we took a little stroll around Fort Lauderdale again.  The Hilton in the background was our hotel.  It was right on the Marina.