Road Trip..LION COUNTRY SAFARI

Six of us from RiverBend take a short road trip over to Lion Country Safari KOA for three days. But, before we even get started Don here creates a stir of activity in the resort.  Both of his engine  batteries blow up when he cranks the engine. A very loud explosion brings everyone to attention.We continue on our trip while Don replaces his batteries and catches up later.

Well Don, when you blow something up you really do it right.
Several hours and several hundred dollars later they are on their way to Lion Country.
Arriving at the KOA all is well and we're on our way to see some critters.

After setting up camp at the KOA, the admiral and I jump in the car and head down to Miami to pick up a used anchor we found on Craig's List. We arrive at a very suspicious looking gated compound located right on the waterway. The driveway gate is about 8 ft tall, welded stainless steel structure, solid wood panels with all stainless hardware and locked. When the owner (Omar) opens the gate we are greeted by two huge German Shepards and a Rottweiller the size of a Toyota. But once the adrenaline subsided we met a very nice couple who live and work here.

Seems Omar, seen in the background is quite the artist. He makes all types of sculptures from old aircraft scrap. On his lot are nose cones, cockpits, wings, flaps, instruments, turbine engine parts, helicopter parts, etc. www.artaircraft.com.


The ladies are out in the scrap yard discussing the world of junk while I am wondering around feeling like a  "Picker" on the TV show.

This is just one of may pieces of Artwork laying around the shop to be finished or shipped. This unique fish art has LED lights inside the fish and behind the fish. It will be a lighted display for a company selling Rod and Reels. All parts are made of aircraft scrap. Note the fins are blades from a small turbine engine. It will sell for 5 or 6 thousand dollars, depending on how much more  he does to it.
What a neat place to stumble upon while chasing down a spare anchor for our upcoming trip to the Bahama's.

Just two of many big cats at Safari Country. The coolest part about these guys is listening to them roar during feeding time (about 6:30 a.m.) There area was just across the fence from our campsite and these guys could be heard all over the campground. Of course, lots of other critters were seen on the Safari also.

Too many critters to include pictures of all of them but this guy is much more impressive than some lazy ass Lion. These guys are huge, especially when they walk right up to your car.

And, of course, there are these kind of critters roaming around the area with cameras in one hand and an ice cream in the other. We had a good time and it ain't over yet. Heading over to Sailfish Marina in West Palm tonight for the Sunset Celebration and dinner. Left to Right is Fred and Sharon, Don and Judy, and me with my Admiral.

Arrived at Sail Fish Marina in time for the Sunset Celebration. Arts and Crafts Show in progress but clouds might interfere with a picturesque sunset.
Christine heading out for the displays.

Party time at the marina. Good times had by all. We will be back here with "Happy Ours" in three weeks as a staging location before we cross over to the Bahamas.

View from the dining room of Sail Fish Restaurant. Dinner was fantastic............
Just need some clouds to go away for a true Sunset Celebration.

The six of us took a walk on the beach after dinner. Sure glad we aren't trying to cross the Gulf Stream today. Seas are 3 to 4 feet with 6 foot swells out in the stream. Hope it calms down before our trip date. Quite windy today.........






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