NBNC>Florida: Tuesday, December 31 2013

Atlantis

Today is the 365^th day of the year; at this writing there are less than six hours remaining of this year. Tomorrow we begin the first day of a brand new year. We have not been one of those couples, who feel we need to surround ourselves with music, voices of strangers, nor copious amounts of alcohol. 

And on this evening of our 43^rd New Year’s Eve together we continue with the tradition of quietness, togetherness and remembrances of our 15,330 days. By the late evening we decided tomorrow will be soon enough to greet the new year, so we bid adieu to 2013 about 10:45. In the meantime, during the day we enjoyed a driving tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. 

Anole on Merritt Island

Merritt Island initially partnered with Cape Canaveral in 1963 and has evolved into 140,000 acres of sanctuary for wildlife from mosquitoes to butterflies to water fowl to mangrove to alligators to feral hogs living in the salt and fresh water marshes. 

Feral Piglets

Throughout the refuge the water levels are managed at a level not to exceed 18 inches, which helps to sustain the many habitats in the refuge. We did see a few “smaller” gators, enjoying the mid-afternoon sun and a mom feral hog tending to her three porkers.

Continuing on the theme of naturalism, we aimed for the Canaveral National Seashore with the hopes of seeing the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse, however, the park’s volunteer offered directions not quite accurate. But we did have a nice ride to Canaveral National Seashore and returned to our campsite before the celebrants hit the roads.

Merritt Island Walkway