Day 8 - West to East

We were up early. Most of the packing was the night before and so it was a quick job to load the car.

The Mustang trunk was able to take one big case and the little hand luggage one. So where was Air Canada delayed case going? Back seat.

Problem. How?

Roof down and then hump it over the side onto the back seat. Then roof back up!!

Sorted.

It was just before ten when we set off. First stop in TomTom was the Triumph dealers on US41 South of Fort Myers. 

A bit of a cold atmosphere once they realised we weren't buying. Friendly on entry but no time to chat with a foreigner and Triumph owner.

Sally was down to about 114 miles to empty and I wanted to fill it up. Once again the pump refused to accept a zip code. Then it was over to the cashier and  guess how much gas I could squeeze in.

I guessed $50. Pre-pay and then go and fill. Click. Click. With only $40 to fill it to the clicks I had to go back and get my $10 refunded.

In the UK most petrol stations let you fill or make pay at the pump less of an arsehole to use.

TomTom was set to avoid the toll section of Alligator Alley I75. So it was a short drop down to Naples on the free I75 and then onto US41.

We made a stop at a parking area with a boardwalk, can't remember the name. It was 96F and we had a short walk to see what there was. Not a lot really.

Back on US41 we entered the Big Cypress Preserve and pulled into the Oasis Visitor Centre. 

The ditch in front had a boardwalk, there were people looking over the rail. Alligators. 

There must have been over twenty in a short stretch of the waterway. Mostly ranging from four feet long tiddlers to some a little bigger at six or seven feet. All completely unconcerned at being goggled by the humans.

We both took quite a few pictures of them and a couple of videos.

From here it was nonstop to Weston. As usual TomTom took us to the front door. A secret here. Tyre. Using Tyre and its connection with Google Maps it is easy to pinpoint where you want to go and make it a waypoint.

Once we got checked in we had chance to find the local supermarkets etc. This involved plenty of driving around trying to find the right roads from the map we had been given.

The apartment isn't in as good a location at Punta Gorda, but is pretty good. In fact when I booked with RCI I booked a two bed apartment. In Mizner Place that means two apartments. We have a large one and the smaller next door.

I doubt we'll use the B apartment..

The larger apartment has a whirlpool bath.

We haven't used it yet.

Sadly when we checked in we got roped into a timeshare talk. Not happy about that but not buying anything!!