Day Trip to Lovers Key

Thursday was our last day trip off the island.  We headed out early Thursday morning and were blessed with a beautiful sunrise as we crossed through Matlacha.

The traffic through Fort Myers was awful and it took us two hours to get to Lovers Key.  Since Ernie and Noela were coming from even further north, it took them even longer but by 10:45 the happy hikers began the Black Island Trail hike.

The trail wound through shade at times...

...but also through some of hot sunshine.

The trail followed along the water in several places.

At times, you can see manatees but we think it was a little too warm for them.

We did see an ibis tucked away in the trees...

...and at least 6 or 7 small alligators in this muck-covered pond.

Chuck asked Ken if these were the size alligator he thought he could wrestle.  Ken told Chuck if he would go in there and grab the gator, he would wrestle it.  :)

There was also some unusual plant life like this Coontie plant...

...whose seeds were these unusual-looking cones that grow at the base if the plant.

We walked by this coppery-color tree called a Gumbo Limbo tree.

According to the information sign, it is often referred to as the "Tourist Tree" because the tree is red and its bark is peeling, just like some tourists.  :)

We also came across this very tall plant called a Century Plant.  Notice how tall it is compared to Bonnie and Ken.

As we neared the end of the trail, we spotted this big gopher turtle heading for his home in the ground.

We tried doing a little geocaching with an app that Ken had downloaded on his phone, but after looking high and low and around and around, we gave up because we were ready to hit the beach and eat some lunch.

After we got back to the car, we loaded up all our beach gear and headed for the beach.

There weren't a lot of shells on the beach, but the beach was beautiful.

After eating lunch, Ernie and Ken walked the beach, but the rest of us just relaxed.

The water was inviting...

...but Ernie and Noela were the only ones to go in for a swim.

After a very relaxing afternoon, it was time to pack everything up...

...and head back across the boardwalk to the parking lot.

It was a beautiful day at Lovers Key...

...with our wonderful friends!

Sadly, we had to say our good-byes to Ernie and Noela because we would not be seeing them again this season.  But we look forward to seeing you again sometime!  :)