AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY HE RESTED, BUT WE DIDNT

The morning came a bit quicker for us today, however, this was the plan so it didn't bother me.  We woke up and debated going to church, but who really wants two services in a row?  Well, it isn't that bad, as I do about every other Sunday, but we decided to do something else.  South Beach it was.  We headed outside to leave, but quickly turned around for our coats.  It was FREEZING outside.  How were we going to go to the beach in the cold?  Well, Mom and Dad aren't exactly beach bums, but just enjoy walking, so we didn't care.

We got in and drove through town, passing all different people in coats and hats trying to stay warm.  I looked around trying to spot the snow flakes coming down to make the roads slick, but wasn't so lucky. We passed a bank with one of the huge signs that has the temperature.  A big 72 slid by as we kept on trucking to the beach.  We stopped for coffee and zipped up our coats as I rolled down the window to get our drinks from the drive-thru window.  Honestly, I really was cold.  Like, s

hivering...for real!

As we got to South Beach, we parked, walked to the beach and stopped to make sure we were in the right place.  Everything lined up right but wait, South Beach had NO ONE on it.  And th

is was the weeke

nd.  Their busiest time.  Who here is honestly dumb enough to go out there in a coat though?  We are.  We had the entire ritzy beach to ourselves, but didn't stay long.  We stuck our toes in the

 water, feeling how hot it was, as water doesn't change drastically overnight like the air does.  The rainstorm from yesterday actually

 

acted as a cold front, lowering the temps, however, it isn't supposed to last through Wednesday, which really is unfortunate.  We walked all the way up South Miami beach, then back down through the town.  Near the end, we stopped for an awesome omelet brunch.  We quickly got back to the van, avoiding a parking ticket as our toll was running out shortly.  (This is just the back side of the beach at South Beach, where everyone walks the streets.)

We left Miami Beach and turned the wheel to face Key Biscayne, one of the northern Florida Keys that actually is just east of Miami.  We really wanted to go to the aquarium, seeing dolphins and manatees, but the $40 fee per person didn't suit our budget, so we just drove around looking at the sites.  What an awesome place that I didn't even notice was right in my back yard.  I will definitely be going back.

(This is the Everglades, looking eye level out of the fan boat.)

This being the day for discovering, we decided to go to

 the everglades as well, another site I had no idea was just the same distance in the opposite direction of my house.  We filled the tank of gas, which doesn't last long driving all over souther Florida, and continued on our mission.  Just on the western outskirts of Miami starts the everglades and it doesn't take much longer to get deep into them.  We saw a sign for Cooperstown, or ville, or something Coopers, but stopped in.  They had "The Original" fan-boat tours, so we hopped in.  I had seen pictures of these and of course watched them in "The Waterboy" and always wanted to experience one, but had never been here. 

 Knowing Mom and Dad wouldn't be back for a while, we decided to do it.  What an awesome trip it was.  Flying through the marsh and swamp seeing all sorts of wildlife, even the gator that came right up to me on the boat.  Why he chose me instead of someone else of the 12, I don't know, but it was awesome.  Absolutely loved it.  The tour ended and we came back to the city, going to my friend Alicia's house for supper and games with some local DOOR alum.  Another great end to an even better day.  At this rate, I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds!  

(This guy came swimming right up to me.  I may have reached out and touched him!)