Day 277 (Wednesday 4/24/13)- Tampa, FL

As we began to near the city of Tampa we started to see a change in traffic. Though traffic had been consistently busy, as we neared the southern portion the roads worsened from bad to terrible. Florida was simply not designed for a cumbersome 23-year-old van-or anyone who wants to live a long life. How it entices seniors with RV's or golf carts is a mystery.

After we watched our projected travel time more than double we finally arrived at Sawgrass park. This lovely city park offers an abundance of wildlife and is known for it's alligators. At the observation tower we were able to see several, two were babies and one fully grown. Later, along a walking path we saw another baby alligator, this one actually in motion. There was also the biggest turtle we've ever seen.

Trying to distance ourselves from Tampa we ended up at a library well outside city limits and relaxed to some Comedy Central. This was not the only show that evening. Right outside the window in front of us we saw a large, black snake stalk and devour it's prey.

On our way to Walmart we passed the city of Punta Gorda. Now our Spanish isn't superb, but that can't possibly mean what we think it does, right?