Author: David Haldeman

Saturday, February 27, 1971
Drove to Frostproof to see Genevieve’s brother & wife who have a trailer by a lake under avacado tree. Pocket of tropical vegetables here. Dinner at “Dutch Pantry” – poor service.

Friday, February 26, 1971
To Marie’s to see Parakeets nesting in boxes hung from pine tree. Carl packed up sea oats, driftwood, cones & wooden blocks. Had lunch in Sarasota. To Howard’s about 5 & he was sleeping. Scared us. House in disorder but he was ok. (This was Monday when we returned)

Thursday, February 25, 1971
Beachcombing all morning. Stopped at Shell Factory north of Fort Myers. To Rieger’s about 2. Same cordial welcome. Schneider’s stopped in. Got Carl story telling on tape. All night with Riegers.

Wednesday, February 24, 1971
Into Naples for breakfast & shopping. Really like that town. Lucky to get a room at Jolly Rogers on Sanibel – low tide and great shelling. Dinner in our room.

Tuesday, February 23, 1971
Sunned & watched tropical fish & sure hated to leave. Drove across Tamiami Trail & stopped at Indian Village. Marco Island a disappointment. Stayed at Isle of Capri. Stone Crabs at seafood place near.

Monday, February 22, 1971
Sent Marjorie a large plant & headed south. Found Fairchild Gardens by “homing instinct”. Rode around – much as I remembered it with Ray 18 years ago. To Homestead & $30 apartment at El Capitan – super. Drove to Marathon.

Sunday, February 21, 1971
Early birding with Marjorie’s friends. Up to Corkscrew Swamp – lunch with redwings, shrikes & woodpeckers. Wood storks nesting in swamp. Back across Alligator Alley – grass fires – few birds. Ate out with Mary Emily.*
*[Marjorie Dickey Patterson’s daughter]

Saturday, February 20, 1971
Rain just as we started Mangrove trip into Everglades. In PM took 10,000 Island trip through bay – Eagles & Ospreys! Dinner again at “Captain’s Table” very posh! Brown Pelicans everywhere at Everglades docks.

Friday, February 19, 1971
Took Marjorie to work & stopped to see Mrs. Dickey. Genevieve & I drove around my “Ft. Lauderdale” To Beach by inlet.
Left about 1 – across “Alligator Alley” to Everglads – Illinois Motel & drove to Callahoosa Island. Shore birds great.

Thursday, February 18, 1971
Howard took us to “Green Swamp:. Big thrill/Sandhill Cranes. Left about noon for Ft. Lauderdale. Stopped at Lion Country Safari. At Marjories about 5:30. Supper in Apt & then she showed her “USA” slides.