Road Trip

Yesterday started out normal enough. We’ll maybe not too normal. It was 43 degrees when I took the girls for their morning walk. By the afternoon, Linda and Harriet, a former HR person where I work, were having the day of their lives.

While Linda and I were driving back from Longboat Key a few weeks ago, we were taking the Tamiami Trail back, when we passed Jungle Gardens. It’s just south of the John and Mable Ringling Museum. I showed Mayra it on the internet, and the two of us decided to explore another part of “old Florida”.

(While were on the subject of Old Florida, I’ll tell you something about the Tamiami Trail. It is a highway that was built to connect Tampa and Miami. It was supposed to help everyone along the highway, but it was finished in time for the stock market crash of 1929. It took a little time for prosperity to be found, and then came interstate highway system under Eisenhower’s administration. And like most highways, the businesses along the highway suffered because of the freeway.)

Jungle Gardens is the “Area’s only zoological garden”. We arrived when most of the exotic birds were in covered cages, with heaters. It was so cold, not much was moving.

We stopped at the flamingo café for hot chocolate, where we met a friendly flamingo. According to the woman behind the counter he usually comes up to get popcorn. We didn’t have any, but that didn’t stop him from trying to become chums with Linda. We stated on the patio for a few minutes watching this guy. Then we decided it was time to go. He followed.

Actually he followed Linda, which kept the woman at the café from having to take him back to the other flamingos. Once we reached the pond, you can buy food to feed them. Mayra tried to feed him and others tried to feed him, but he didn’t want any. Guess he’s a popcorn addict.

Mayra did finally find flamingo plus another that would eat out of her hand. She was so exited.

After the flamingos we continued to walk around the garden. This place would be great in the spring or summer, because to the shade. We hit the bird show. The parrots to tricks. Most of the shows are geared more for children.

As we were headed home, the decision was made to stop at Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish for lunch. (It isn’t much to look at, and if you eat there, be sure to bring cash. They don’t take cards or checks. ) As we sat down, Linda and Harriet were all aflutter. “Guy Fieri from the Food Network is over there”.

I asked, “who?”

Mayra and I refused to ask for a picture, until he finished eating. Once he stood up Mayra, Harriet and Linda headed towards his table. I finally recognized him, but had no interest in meeting him. His assistant used Mayra’s camera to take the picture.


Harriet kept trying to get Mayra to stop at a Walgreen’s to download the picture. She wanted a 8X10. I’ll find out tomorrow if she got it. I’ll have to upload the picture Mayra emailed to upload to Walgreens for Linda. I’m sure everyone at her work will her about this. She was kept saying all the way home, “we have to call your Mom. She’ll know who Guy Fieri is.”

We got home to find another surprise. Mom’s goat Lady had given birth to two kids. Their picture is on “Trips Away From Florida”. The link on the right.