Everglades National Park

You can see by the photo that we drove down to the Everglades National Park this weekend. The drive takes about 45 minutes and is straight south from Miami on the Turnpike. Go down to Homestead and take a right at the light, following the signs to the park. Really, it is an easy drive and I would recommend the trip to anyone who is in South Florida for a visit. The best time to go is during the dry season, which is the winter months.




The first stop is the visitors center which is a good place to stop to pick up a map of the area. The rangers are very friendly and will give you information concerning you trip for the day. Additionally, there is a brief walking history of the everglades and why they are so important to the ecosystem. The Everglades National Park was established in 1947.

After the visitors center you drive right into the park. We paid $10.00 which was good for the next week. The ranger just told us to show the ticket if we were returning another day. The first stop was the at the Royal Palm Hidden Lake Education Center and the Anhinga Trail.

The wild life is everywhere and some of the birds seem a bit tame. But do not be fooled, they will bite!



The great Blue Heron is the largest of the herons. They are standing so still, I am sure on the hunt for prey.

I had dad using one of my cameras during the day to take pictures. I believe this was his first time using a digital camera, he did a good job, but I think he took more photos than ended up on the disk. Not sure if he didn't push down the button all the way.

Gators are swimming and sunning everywhere. They are looking for the next meal. Just as long as it is not you.

The walk around the Anhinga Trail takes about 45 minutes to one hour. You are walking on a boardwalk above the everglades water and away from the gators. The birds were flying overhead and at times would come down to land on the water or the rail of the walkway.

I would recommend, sunscreen, light colored clothing, and a hat. The Saturday morning that we were there it was about 85 degrees. By the time we were done with the walk we were both hot and ready for water.

We jumped back into the car and drove further south heading towards the Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook which is about 13 miles from the visitors center. Along the way you pass thru Rock Reef Pass which is a large area covered in Dwarf Cypress Trees. Because it is winter and the dry season, dad asked if the trees were dead as they do not have leafs at this time of year.

The Pa-Hay-Okee overlook area gives you a panarama view of the everglades with the saw grass prairie and the cypress trees.

As you walk back to the parking lot looking to your right and left along the boardwak you will see the oolite limestone surface that makes up the floor of the everglades. The limestone erodes leaving large holes in the floor where grass and flowers spring up from.

Take care and dad will post again real soon.



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