by Cheryl Batavia

Road Trip, May, 2026 Theater of the Sea Shallow Water Dolphin Encounter, Cheryl

Welcome to my world!

Won’t you come on in?

Miracles, I guess, still happen now and then.

Step into my heart.

Leave your cares behind.

Welcome to my world, built with you in mind.

Ask and you’ll be given the key to this heart of mine.

I’ll be waiting there with my arms unfurled.

Waiting just for you… Welcome to my world!

Splish, Splash! I was taking a bath. Rub-a-dub-dub, just relaxing in the tub…thinking everything was alright.

Splish, splash! Well, how was I to know there was a party going on?

Movin’ and a grovin’, rockin’ and a rollin’! Flip, flop! They was doin’ the bop…(They all had) the dancin’ bug!

Photos are by photographers at Theater of the Sea, Islamorada, Florida.

Road Trip with My Daughters, Ellen & Katey

Happy Birthday, Ellen!

Thankfully, Robert is feeling well enough for me to go away for a few days. It was wonderful spending time with my daughters again! We celebrated Ellen’s fifty-seventh birthday at an Asian fusion restaurant the night they arrived.

Travel Day

The drive across Alligator Alley and down the Keys the next day was spectacularly beautiful. The Key lime pie at dinner that night exceeded expectations.

Feeding Tarpon, Theater of the Sea

& Starlight Boat Tour at Everglades National Park

The next day, we had breakfast at an open air restaurant on the bay and fed bait fish to the tarpon. I confess that I just watched. Tarpon are very large fish popular with Florida fishermen. After breakfast, we headed over to Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, FL.

Ellen and Katey sent me this Mother’s Day E-card. My swim with the dolphins and the photos are my Mothers Day present from my daughters.

Swimming with the dolphins at Theater of the Sea was a thrilling and heartwarming experience. I went on the shallow water dolphin encounter, a Mother’s Day gift from my daughters. We took in shows with parrots, seals, dolphins, and tortoises. Ellen and Katey went on the deep water dolphin encounter. Then we drove to Everglades National Park, eating snacks for supper as we drove, and arriving just in time to board our boat for the starlight tour.

The Starlight boat tour in Everglades National Park was fascinating, beautiful, and a very different experience. Our guide was the originator of this unusual tour. Going in late May, we had to contend with mosquitos and horse flies on the night boat tour. Bug spray was useless! The best time to visit the Everglades is from November-March.

Kayaking, Boat Tour, Everglades National Park,

Havana Spice & Robert is Here

The next day, we spent some time at a small museum in the visitor center and picked up some souvenirs in the gift shop. On the daytime boat tour, we saw many magnificent Florida animals and learned a lot about the wildlife and the history of the area. Our guide was excellent!

That night, we had supper at Havana Spice in Florida City, a delicious Cuban meal. The coconut flan was outstanding!

The next day, on our way home, we stopped at Robert is Here, our favorite produce market/zoo in Florida City. We fed the animals and bought some local fruit.

Back Home, Rest Day, Parasailing

Katey and I took it easy, but Ellen went to the beach and discovered an opportunity to go parasailing! The next morning, the girls were on the road to Orlando to celebrate my great niece’s destination high school graduation.

Watch for more posts from our road trip: Deep Water Dolphin Swim, Animal Shows, Boat Tours, Parasailing, and more!

49 Comments

  1. Unknown's avatar

    What a fantastic girls’ adventure you guys obviously enjoyed. I think it must have brought out the child in you. All of it. Every moment. Even them celebrating you, Mother’s Day must have made you all giddy and cozy like a child. Thats what ai felt. Keylime pie and Coconut Flan—well, that delicious indulgence is quite the treat for me. Just imagining the generous servings. You looked happy in all the photos and your words matched them to perfection. So happy for you dear one. Happy your daughters and Robert’s improved health made this all possible. May the fun never end. Thanks for sharing your world.
    I wrote something I’d like you to read; you are who I thought as I made the revelation. I’m sure you’ll find the post. Bless you beforehand. I bless you, Cheryl. Xo

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Selma! We had a wonderful time. All of us enjoy letting our inner child come out to play. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment! 💕

      Yes, may the fun never end! May we never be too old to play! 😁

      Now you have made me curious. I will have to find your post! 🌈

      Have a beautiful day! XO

      Like

      Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Oh, Ivor, sorry to hear you are having wet and windy weather. I hope it passes quickly. Thank you for your kind comment.🌍🌎 💕😊🌈

      We just finished a very windy winter with five frosts. Usually, we have one about every ten years!🥶

      If it gets too chilly in Geelong, you and Frankie can cuddle up under a blanket!🐾💕

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Maggie. I had been planning this road trip for a couple of years. but it got cancelled at the last minute last year due to Robert’s aortic dissection. I look forward to a yearly road trip with my daughters, who live in Dallas, and I was so happy we got to go this year.

      Honestly, I am not on the blog very much right now. I have been working on some long-term projects and also, Robert and I have been dealing with some health concerns.

      I always enjoy reading your posts, and admire your adventurous life. Thank you for sharing your travels.❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. Unknown's avatar

    Fabulous photos Cheryl! You are looking so bubbly and happy, just like any eleven year old, ecstatic!! The mother’s day gift are truly priceless…… Waiting for more photos from you 💖❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much, Mousumi, for your kind words and support! My inner child is alive and well; she is always looking for opportunities to come out and play!💕 I didn’t take any of the photos, but they are very good, and I am sure you will enjoy them. 😊 Hope you are having a great day! 🌈

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    2. Unknown's avatar

      Dolphins have been following boats for thousands of years. It is such a delight to watch them playing in boat wakes.!I have never been on a yacht, just sailboats and commercial boats. I am sure watching the dolphins enhanced your experience! 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Unknown's avatar

    What a wonderful post, Cheryl, and such beautiful photos! I’m glad Robert was well enough for you to spend time with your daughters. You look joyful playing with the dolphins.💕🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Unknown's avatar

    What a wonderful time you had with your daughters, Cheryl. I’m glad your husband’s feeling better and you could go. That picture of the dolphin kissing you is so cute. I enjoyed reading this post. It’s the perfect kind of mommy-daughters trip🩷

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Smitha. I am happy you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I know you enjoy traveling with your daughters, and I enjoy seeing posts of all of your adventures! 🌻🌹🌸🦋

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Rosaliene. I feel very lucky to have been able to go on the trip this time…a beautiful Mothers Day gift! And I am grateful that Robert seems to be doing better. 🌈

      Hope all is well with you.💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Laura, thank you for sharing your insights, which are informed by being a mother yourself. You always get to the heart of the matter. 💕

      This is not just a vacation…it is a few days of quality time spent with my daughters each year. I am thankful for the ability to communicate by emails and phone, but it cannot replace physical presence. 😊

      All the best to you and your family. Take care, and enjoy your weekend! 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Unknown's avatar

    Quite the trip! What a joy it must have been to swim with the dolphins…we get to see them from afar as they race the tankers through the port channels, but never been that close to them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Brian, thank you for your comment. Watching dolphins race tankers sounds like quite a spectacle! I will be posting about the historic relationships between humans and dolphins in the near future.

      Have a great weekend! 🐬

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. Unknown's avatar

    What a beautiful trip and such special memories! The joy of sharing unique moments with your daughters, surrounded by nature, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences, is evident. The encounter with the dolphins is so heartwarming and joyful, and each photograph reflects love, family unity, and gratitude for life. Thank you for sharing this adventure so full of smiles, emotions, and beautiful memories. Happy birthday to Ellen and many blessings to the whole family! 🤗🫂🌷🎉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment