Here are some things that I didn't know about Florida before my visit:
1. There's water, water, everywhere, not just along the island-ringed seacoast, but inland, as well.
2. Florida is a big sponge with water seeping out of the sponge-holes.
3. Any body, large or small, of fresh water in Florida is fair game for alligators.
4. Alligators are not aggressive and will not bother you if you don't bother them. But this I did not believe. Hence everywhere we walked around the island of Lido Key I thought I saw an alligator.