23.1 miles (37.2581 km's)...46,499 steps...$0.11...findings of the day: 1 pair of pliers, 1 Happy Meal Barbie, 1 5/16" socket, 1 nickel and 6 pennies...wildlife sightings: 1 bald eagle (being chased by a smaller raptor), 2 deer, 2 turtles (about the size of a serving platter), countless "exotic" (to me) birds, countless jumping fish and 16 alligators (1 monster!). The walk today was dedicated to two veterans, Bridgitt and Reggie, thank you both for your service and best wishes.
We started at the south end of Naples and about three miles later we were out of urban area into rural. By eight miles I had sighted the first 'gator of the day, ten minutes later I saw the second. After about ten miles we were smack in the middle of the everglades. The road started out with about a seven foot paved shoulder down to about three feet by the end of the day. Better than Kansas.
At one point about mid day I was passing a small trail head and noticed a gentleman with a nice camera (in MY photographic days I would have serious camera envy!). Frank Spinelli, from New York, was out catching the everglades on film (pixels I guess). I felt like a celebrity when he asked if he could take my picture. We swapped cards and I went on my way. It is nice to have understanding friends as I had to interrupt a phone from my friend Norman who just happened to be in Pensacola. A few miles later Don Columbus was taking pictures of some birds and I stopped to chat. He too took my picture. I suppose if I was really on top of things I would have taken their pictures as well. NEXT time I walk across the continent I will change the way I have done things, live and learn. My only insight today: If alligators are a dime a dozen in the everglades then I got a wee bit over thirteen cents worth of sightings! See ya'll down the road, CHEERS!!!