We took two days in the Florida Everglades on our January 2014 vacation. The first day, we rented a canoe in Flamingo and spent four hours at Nine Mile Pond.
The park entrance fee is $10 per car, and you can go back as many times as you like for free within seven days.
There are several visitor centers. You need to go to Flamingo to rent the canoes, though. It’s a bit of a drive, but the scenery is fantastic.
Then we drove back to Nine Mile Pond.
You pull your own canoe right there at the pond. They provide life jackets and oars.
Alligators ten feet from where you put the canoe in is the bonus gift.
You are basically following (sometimes not so well) marked poles throughout the trip. There are 115 of them, and you are taken through mangroves to open water and everything in between. It’s amazing.
On Tuesday, we went back to the Everglades for the hiking trails.
Apparently, the vultures really like the rubber on vehicles and will tear away windshield wipers, etc.
Gumbo-Limbo Trail
Long Pine Key Trail
Pinelands Trail
We went down an unmarked road and walked around this little lake.
I think the most amazing trail was the Mahogany Hammock.
We had the fortune to speak with one of the volunteer parks worker for some time about his experience.
We attempted Snake Bight Trail, but there were too many mosquitoes. Next time!
I found an amazing peace and stillness in the Everglades. We had the best time there, and can’t wait to go back.
January 21, 2014
I agree, the trip through the everglades was spectacular! It was remarkable to explore and learn about the everglades ecosystem. Like many other natural environments the everglades are both beautiful and fragile. The life that lives there is dependent on a very specific balance of elements. The park service does a great job of helping to preserve our environment for all to enjoy.
Our trip to the Keys was wonderful from start to finish. Everything from the peace and seclusion of the everglades to the hustle of Miami to the tranquil laid back atmosphere of island life. A trip I would be happy to repeat in the future