snowbirding

No way would we be going into Florida other than the panhandle

You do understand that it can be cold there too? Maybe not Muskegon cold but 30's or so. To get to actual warm/hot weather you need to be below Tampa. Granted, Feb. is close to being spring in those parts. Here in East TN I am mowing my lawn in March so you may luck out depending on mother nature and be blest with warm enough weather to enjoy yourselves.

I don't recall where in Florida this happened but about a year ago, there was a story of a woman walking her dog on a walkway near a pond and a gator grabbed the dog and pulled it in the water. The woman tried to save the dog and was pulled into the water too. Both the woman and dog died from being bitten and pulled under. Not an every day event obviously but sometimes crazy stuff happens.

If you want to be near Mobile AL then in Theodore a very good park is "All About Relaxing". Great hosts and owners. Much to do in the area on the island and the battleship visits. All About Relaxing

Well I can comment on the dogs vs gators situation. I actually saw a coed walking her rat dog on a leash around Lake Alice which is on the University of Florida campus. A gator snatched the dog leash and all, they are VERY fast. But usually the dangerous time is around dusk (or dawn if you are an early riser) or at night; and mainly small dogs. But just this week there was a story where a women claimed her hundred pound dog was attacked by a gator. It would have to be a very big gator is all I can say.

Swimming dogs are at risk tho.

How likely is this? Not very it's like hearing about someone get hit by lightning. Our dogs are around water and we have never had a problem in 40 years. But we have never had small dogs.

But don't go swimming at night (especially for kids and small women) and don't walk your dogs along the water's edge then either. Keep in mind that if you are near a body of water in those areas then there are gators near by. But you will rarely see one in the day. The no hunting policy has worsened this situation.

Oh one one last thing DON"T EVER FEED the GATORS or be around areas where other people are doing that.