West Palm Beach 03/06-03/08

We arrived at the Lion's Country Safari KOA.  This was a nice surprise for me because it is part of the Lion Country Safari where you drive through the park and get to see the animals in the natural habit, natural as possible.  The best part is the KOA is right on the other side of the fence from the animal park.  As we were getting up in the morning we hear the most amazing sound.  The Lions are all roaring.  We learn their roar can be heard for 5 miles and we were camped 100 yards from their compound, this roar is a sound you will NEVER forget. They are ready to be let out to roam their area.  Not only dot we hear it once but all morning.  It is the coolest thing I have ever heard.  We woke to this sound and went to sleep with it.

We received two free passes to go through the park.  It was so cool driving slow and having the animals walk right up to your car.  You are, of course, instructed before you start to keep your doors locked and windows up, now we know why.

After we finished our drive through the park we walked through the area where you get to see some of the animals up close and personal.  More turtles some birds and snakes.  One of the high lights is we got to feed the giraffes one feel of their 16 inch slimy tongue and we were back feeding them seconds.  Then of course was the big old Crocodile which we DID NOT feed!

It is now raining and we enjoyed our drive so much we decided to go a second time to see how the animals behaved in the rain.  We weren't disappointed.  Some were more active while others took cover.  The funniest thing of the day was the Ostriches.  They were coming up to your windows and looking in at you.  The poor car in front of us couldn't get around them.  They finally managed to get around them.  Then it was our turn to try to get around them they are so cute.  Once we got around them one of them decided to sit down in the middle of the road and no one could get around the cars were way backed up.  The only other thing that Joe really liked, is that he got to see the Water Buffalo in the water.  What a great day.

Day two we drove out to the beach for breakfast.  It was so relaxing to sit and watch the ocean while eating.  It was a cool and windy day and the tide was in so we weren't able to walk on the beach ;0(

 After breakfast we drove over to Jupiter FL to tour the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.  Highway A1A winds North up the coast through HUGH mansions of the rich and famous.  Interesting to see how the other half lives with ocean views from front of mansion and boats parked out back on the bayside. It took forever to find it we were about to give up when we finally found it.  There were so much road construction and detours that you could't find your way.

This light house was built in 1860.  It has 105 steps to climb to the top.  Joe went right up but I had a little trouble with breathing because of this cold I can't seem to get rid of.  What a view from the top, well worth the climb.
The tree to the right is a Banyon tree. Not sure I spelled that right.

Joe's favorite picture is of the bridge opening up to let the boats go under.  Perfect timing as we watch the draw bridge operate while on top of the lighthouse!

Tomorrow we head to the Everglades National Park!!!