The Everglades

Yesterday we visited the Everglades. We thought we had good directions, but had to stop in Homestead to ask for more. We did not see any signs going north from Key Largo, but once we got turned around, south, there were the signs!

Our first stop was a park ranger guided tour of the Ahinga Trail. If you visit the Everglades, don't miss this trail. You will see more wildlife here than in other sections of the park. Here we saw quite a few birds, soft-shelled turtles, gars, tilapia, bass and alligators. We saw an ahinga, which is a bird that hunts fish underwater.

After the Ahinga we continued southwest to Flamingo City for a guided pontoon boat tour. We wanted to get on the 12:30 PM boat, but when we got there, at 12:20, we were told the tour started at 12. The next one was at 2. So, we bought some lunch at the Marina Shop. Not much of a lunch selection. It would be better to bring along some food.

We ate on a marina picnic table. Ventured off to nearby Echo Pond to kill some time. Got some photos of a fishing spoonbill along with several mosquito bites...the mosquito season is supposedly over by this time of year.

Went back to the marina and got on the Pelican pontoon boat. Saw lots of mangroves...after this trip I don't need to see anymore! Spotted a few birds, herons, osprey, cormorants. Did not see as much as I thought we would.

Overall it was on okay day. I am disappointed that there was not more wildlife. If there is a richness here, we missed it.

Got back to Azul del Mar, our boutique hotel, about 5 PM. Dinner was salads we bought at the supermarket. Watched Dreamgirls, read a little and then lights out!

More driving

I vowed not to drive so much yesterday, but that is what we did. First we went to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Paid $9 to enter. It was not worth it. Mostly a park to rent kayaks and boats. The reef is actually offshore.

Continued heading south towards Key West. Stopped at the bird sanctuary/nature center. It is privately owned. Donations must be low. It is a sad place. Not worth a visit. Something dead was near the parking area...the smell was very strong. The most interesting bird was a cockatoo near the entrance. All the cages were in dark areas and heavily enclosed making photography virtually impossible.

Drove to Robbie's, a landing where you can call tour guides to pick you up for a trip to the bay area of the Everglades. You have to call in advance, so we didn't go. Plus the tour prices are based on four passengers at $40 a head. A private tour is $300. We haven't decided to spring for that yet.

At Robbie's you can buy food to feed the tarpon by the dock. The tarpon are very large and hungry. There was a teenage kid feeding them by holding the food up above their heads to make them jump to get it. They did and one of them got his hand in the process and he was bitten. He continued feeding them with blood running down his hand. Crazy!

A highlight on the way back was a stop at DQ for an ice cream cone. Then a stop at the grocery store to pickup dinner, salads and some California rolls.

Took a short nap in the afternoon. Enjoyed the evening sunset. Watched one of the Bourne movies on TV. Read some more of "Best Friends Forever." and then to sleep.

Overall kind of a disappointing day. Perhaps we needed such a day to get a feel for the place. We did decide not to vacation in Florida again. We like the mountains and the West.

We will make the best of it! Off to the Everglades today.