We were chased out of Midway Campground of the Big Cyprus National Preserve by a bird. We were too close to Mr & Mrs Cardinal’s tree this morning so Mr Cardinal started attacking our side window. We assumed he was seeing his reflection in our window so he thought was protecting Mrs Cardinal from a rival.
Fearing the damage he might do himself we quickly packed up and moved down a couple of sites to have breakfast. Others who stayed in this campground last night had all left so we could pick any site we wanted–except the one belonging to Mr & Mrs Cardinal. As soon as we started eating, though, he was back attacking us again. Apparently the entire campground belongs to him during the day. So we left it to him. We did stop and fill our water tank on the way out, though, since we may be boondocking the next few nights.
We stopped at the Shark Valley portion of Everglades National Park to visit the area where friends of our workcamped this winter. The friends have moved on but we did see a huge turtle and more of these guys:
Along side the road are several tourist places that have wooden herons on fence posts. So when I saw a heron in the water I wasn’t sure it was real. Then I realized it was not at a tourist place so it probably was real.
I received an email this morning telling me KFC would be giving away free samples of their new grilled chicken today. That started me craving KFC. So we stopped at one in Florida City for lunch.
Apparently the word was out about the free chicken. The place was mobbed. I was reminded we are in southern Florida by all the conversations around me of which I could not understand a word. It reminded me of being in Amsterdam where I also couldn’t understand the conversations around me. There was one guy speaking English, though. He’d found a pretty young woman on crutches and was giving her all the details of his previous injury. He was not entertaining. The grilled chicken was good but not spectacular.
Then we stopped at WalMart to pick up another prescription and to stock up on groceries. Then we went across the street to SharpCuts to get haircuts.
We are headed to Key West next and we have been warned not to go there without camping reservations because we will not be allowed to park on the streets and there aren’t many places to camp. In fact we only know of one in Key West but it came highly recommended. So Dave called and made a reservation for tomorrow night.
For tonight are camped at Long Pine Key in another section of the Everglades. We have no hookups and lousy internet but it is quiet and peaceful so we should sleep well.
TTYL,
Linda