Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve was created to protect the fresh water's flow from the Big Cypress Swamp into the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands. Fresh water feeds five distinct habitats in its 729,000 acres.

Air plant

                                                                                                                                                   

Paddling the Turner River in Cypress National Park was an unforgettable experience. 

Watching carefully for alligators!

Interesting Florida Gar

We are promised to see alligators along the Shark Valley Bike Path.  You can walk, bike or ride the tram on this 15 mile paved loop trail through Everglades National Park.  We are greeted with the roar of alligators as we approach the observation tower - to be expected during the mating season.  

A promise kept!

Fort Myers, Florida

At last, we have arrived to the place that inspired this trip exactly one year ago. Sister, Jeannie and her hubby, George have wintered in Fort Myers, Florida for several years and we are excited to put down roots for a week and spend some quality time together.

We are camped at the WP Franklin park north of the locks on the Caloosahatchee River, about a 20 minute drive to Jeannie and George's home in Le High Acres. 

Our campsite on the point of a peninsula allowed for direct access to the river to kayak and take in the views. 

A trip down Telegraph Creek, a tributary 

of the Caloosahatchee River

Boardwalk adventures at Six Mile Slough and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Thomas Edison and Joyce under the Banyan Tree

Henry Ford

Jim and Joyce in front of a Mysore Fig tree

Our visit to Ford and Edison's Winter Estate was so interesting. In 1927 Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone were concerned about America's dependence on foreign sources for rubber for industrial use and formed the Edison Botanic Research Corporation. After testing over 17,000 plant and 
tree samples, Edison finally discovered a source in the Goldenrod plant. 

Our guests!

My golf partner, Jeannie

Most of all my favorite time in Fort Myers was spending time with Jeannie and George - playing golf, eating too well, playing games and just hanging out with each other.

Time to move on toward our furthest destination - 

Key West, Florida. Next stop: Big Cypress.

Myakka River State Park

I absolutely love the Florida State Parks motto - "The Real Florida". Unless you have seen Florida with your own eyes, one might solely conjure up visions of sunshine filled beaches. This road trip through Florida  has certainly proven otherwise. One of Florida's oldest state parks and largest, and diverse natural areas, the Myakka River State Park is 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands. 

The Canopy Walkway and 
70 foot Tower was a great way 
to take in the views.

Spanish Moss

Air plants 

First gator sighting!
The Little Blue Heron is not concerned at all.

Limpkin

An air boat ride on the "Gator Gal" allowed us to get close up and personal without getting eaten.

The look in this gator's eyes says it all!

Wild Iris

American White Pelican

Manatee River and Fanning Spring State Parks

Moving inland to our next campground in Old Town, Florida, we discover this enjoyable boardwalk that takes us to the Suwanee River, known as a river of springs. 
 

Swamp lilies along the way

Manatee Springs State Park

Cypress Knees

Divers are allowed to explore these naturally occurring springs. 

The Cypress Knees provide support for the trees.

Black Vulture

Great White Egret

The was no shortage of wildlife at this park.

Red Shouldered Hawk

Fanning Spring

Our first and only manatee!

The Nature Coast State bike trail connects five small
towns near these springs.

Grayton Beach, Florida

The Emerald Coast! 

If I could create my most perfect beach it would likely compare closely to Grayton Beach. The sugar white sand and clear emerald green waters make for one of the most beautiful beaches in the continental U.S.  The bicycle friendly beach town of Grayton Beach is so quaint, and nearby Western Lake offered all the usual water activities.

Hidden beyond what appear to be snow covered sand dunes and marshes is this incredibly pristine beach. 

Cedar Waxwings making their plans
to migrate north.