We also went to Everglades National Park on our trip and I thought it was REALLY cool. We didn't have high expectations, but even before entering the park we saw an alligator swimming along in a pond. The first night we went on a little trail and saw about 20 alligators. It was so awesome bc you just walk right beside them. There's no fences or anything of the sort. It's a little scary since it's we're programmed to be scared of them, but I suppose if you leave them alone, they will do the same. Almost all the alligators we saw were on this trail. Since it is the wet season, they spread out more and you don't see as many throughout the park. We were also told since they have a fear of man they pretty much hide from us, but the ones on this trail I guess are use to us. I was so amazed by every single one I saw that I couldn't stop taking pictures and so I just put them all up. I apologize for alligator overload.
We also camped out one night at the very most southern point called Flamingo. We drove in late and only found 1 other camper and no one at the pay booth. We thought this was a little strange since we were expecting it to be packed. Once we actually got out of the car we realized why no one was there--mosquitos!!!!! They were insane! We put our tents up as fast as possible and didn't go out until the morning and left asap. Apparently Flamingo is where the US Gov goes to test mosquito repellant bc they are so intense there. I have no idea how many bites I got, but they were everywhere. The next day we were talking to a ranger and she's like "I'm surprised your still here!" bc apparently camping at this time of year is that bad of an idea.
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| baby gator |
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| this guy was a serious creeper. like a foot from the trail hiding all sneaky-like |
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| being brave |
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| This guy hissed at us. It was not a pretty sound |
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| the camp site |
We also did some canoeing-didn't see any alligators, but did see a manatee!
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| out in the Florida Bay-salt water area |
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| dead gator! prob hit by a car. poor guy. |
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| tried some gator. it was ok, kinda chewy. don't really desire to eat it again. |
We decided to drive out to Key West...but it was a 3 hour drive TO key west. so we drove about half way down the keys. It was really pretty!
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| Stopping at the lower matecumbe key |
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| We kept seeing Key Lime Pie signs and realized, hello, we're in the keys! we must eat key lime pie! So we did. It was good. |
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| Stopped at Cape Canaveral on way home. Then we found out it was $50/person to get into the Kennedy Space Center. Hope they're flying us to the moon for that price. So we just took a picture and left. |
It was a fun trip! I would love to go back in the Winter. Thats when the mosquitos aren't as bad, and it's the dry season when the alligators are more concentrated and hopefully not as hot!
