LOTS OF MIGRATIONS

And so we flew South – joining the migration of snowbirds from around North America to swell the winter population of Florida by about 1 million. 

The following is a bit about the human sort according to a Real Estate website

Who Are the Snowbirds?

With baby boomers hitting retirement age in 2011, Florida will most certainly see a population surge, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2025, one in five people in Florida will be elderly. The state is expected to gain 6.5 million between now and then.
But the definition of snowbird is broadening, to include a more diverse group of people, according to evidence from Florida real estate professionals. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) agrees. Although specific statistics haven’t yet been collected, NAR has assigned them a new identity: the “splitters” (split off from the traditional snowbird market.)
These people range from the hip 30-something New York City investor, to the Chicago baby boomer looking forward to active twilight years, to the family of four from Buffalo seeking a refuge from lake-effect snow.

And who can blame them with the bitter cold of the Northern States.

CAR HIRE

We had an excellent flight with Jet Blue – better seats and leg room than the measly United Airlines from Manchester – and then picked up our car easily, booked via a great website recommended by Rib Roy several months ago. 

Pay attention anyone going to the States and hiring a car – Autoslash is a brilliant broker site that keeps looking for cheaper deals once you have booked and lowering your price accordingly.  We booked a couple of months ago for $450 and after 2 lowering emails we paid around $300.  We took Annual Excess insurance out before going(  CarHireExcess was the best for the US) so that we had no hassle with add on insurances when we got here.

HOME FOR A WEEK

Got to Everglades City – at the end of nowhere USA on west side of Florida.  Our self catering place is River Wilderness – and as it suggests we are by the river and surrounded by wildlife.  Twitcher friends would be in their element – majorly big birds here, such as all sorts of Herons, Ibises, Pelicans, Vultures – and all seen from this decking overlooking the river – even a resident, yellow-bellied sapsucker on our own tree seen here.  Plus, we have to keep a look out for the feathered sort of migrants that pass through here going to and from North and South America.  I blog on the deck and watch the river - Graham sits by pool and watches the river.

Endless fun in the sun