July 24th was a sunny day. Bonnie had run her course, leaving the keys pretty much untouched. We packed up and left the hotel, hooked up the trailer and headed to the Everglades. We saw alligators, crocodiles, vultures, anoles, a red shouldered hawk, grasshoppers, spiders, vultures, Green Egrets, and butterflies to name a few. We went to the visitor's Center where we learned where we ought to go and planned our day. There was a ranger lead hike along a boardwalk. As we walked along, we saw a big alligator out in the water. Then, when we went over a bridge, Colin saw a small alligator hanging out under it. The little guy came out for us and I got a pretty good photo of him if I do say so myself! Derek found a green anole (a type of lizard) and I got another pretty good photo. There were amazing grasshoppers that were so colorful, they were actually pretty! We saw bromiliads growing in the trees, and little dainty orchids also, just sprouting out of the treetops. There were signs in the parking lots warning us that the Vultures may cause damage to our car. Apparently, they like rubber. After that hike, we headed further south to the coast and took a boat trip into the bayou there. Here we saw some crocodiles. We learned that crocodiles live in salt water and alligators live in fresh water and where we were boating was one of the only places on earth where both alligators and crocodiles live in the same place together. We learned about how Mangrove trees "walk" across a river by sending roots down from its branches. Once the root gets established, a whole new tree is born and when it gets big enough, it will send out its own shoots, thus making its way across the river.
After our boat trip, we walked, or should I say ran along the Mahogany Loop Trail aka Mosquito run. Note the photo of Marcus slapping at mosquitoes above. The giant Mahogany was very cool, as were all the bromiliads and orchids. Unfortunately, the Mosquitoes cut our viewing short.
On our way out of the park, we noticed a Panther Crossing sign. I'm sorry it is so blurry, but I had to include it anyway. We found that so amusing! The Panther is Florida's state mammal, and I guess unlike California, they still have some of their state mammal.
Once we left the Everglades, we headed to Key Largo and John Pennekamp State Park and Coral Reef. The campground would have been nice enough, but the mosquitoes were out in earnest. I asked what repellent was the best and was told the skin so soft, by Avon, but it didn't seem to deter the little devils! Who knows, maybe we would have been doubly munched!
The next morning we left early for a snorkel trip. We took a boat out about 5 miles to a living coral reef. The water was a bit rough, but Marcus and I had taken Dramamine, so we were ok. Colin and I started the snorkel trip together with Marcus and Derek as buddies. Colin and I spotted 6 squid lined up in a row when we first got in. Next a good sized Barracuda. . Derek and Marcus spotted a spotted Eagle ray, and a sunken Canon. I saw a spiny sea Urchin. After a while in the water, we switched buddies. Derek and I spotted a Giant Barracuda and Derek saw a fish as it was being cleaned by a shrimp. Marcus and Colin saw a ginormous spiny lobster. We had a great time!
Once back from the snorkel trip we packed up and headed up to Key West. Boy were we looking forward to the laid back lifestyle we associated with the keys!
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