About 475 miles south of the Big Chicken, U.S. Highway 41 begins its trek from Tampa to Miami. Known as the Tamiami Trail, the road completes its north/south journey in Naples and cuts due east across the Everglades to Miami. Eschewing the heavily congested northern section of the trail, we crossed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, motored down I-75, and picked up the Tamiami Trail just outside of Naples.
Did you know that the Skyway Bridge is so tall that it forms its own micro-climate? That’s what I told the kids as we approached. It’s not true, but the brief rain burst that began as we ascended the bridge and stopped as we completed the crossing sure made me look smart.
Midway between Naples and Miami lies a campground carved out of the Big Cypress National Preserve. Appropriately named “Midway,” the campground provides an ideal base for exploring the Preserve and parts of the Everglades.
Wildlife abounds. We setup camp under the watchful eye of God’s camp host.
The Oasis Visitor Center offers a nice introduction to Big Cypress through exhibits, a movie, and Ranger talks.
A boardwalk lines an alligator-filled canal.
The Kirby Storter trail traverses the swamp, offering a dry way to explore and examine the knobby-kneed cypress trees.
I found the Cardinal Airplant most intriguing.
Also known as a Bromeliad, the Airplant is epiphytic, it grows on other plants. Surprisingly, the Airplant is not parasitic, it obtains all of its water and nutrients from the atmosphere. It can grow on non-living things like power lines.
If you ever find yourself in Big Cypress, tired and hungry, you might seek refuge at Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe. But not because I recommend it.
A better bet is to head into Everglades City and dine on the shaded porch of Triad Seafood. Then you can checkout the Everglades Gulf Coast Visitor Center and take a boat tour. We choose the 10,000 Islands Tour.
After weaving our way through mangrove islands and observing osprey, pelicans, and dolphins, L took the helm and deftly guided us home.
The lack of water and sewer hookups compelled us to vacate Midway after three days and head to the outskirts of Miami. We called the Miami Everglades RV Resort home for a week. Nestled among thousands of acres of nurseries, the resort pleased with colorful lizards and plant life, a pool/hot tub, and a terrific mini-golf course.
The “River of Grass” flows at a near glacial pace from Lake Okeechobee down to Florida Bay, skirting just to the west of Miami.
Airboats are the best way to experience the Everglades.
Zipping across the water and sliding sideways through the grass will bring a smile to your face.
L even managed a smile while distancing herself from an approaching alligator.
Not far from the Everglades, Biscayne National Park protects the coastal waters, islands, and reefs south of Miami.
Winds whipped the water, providing an ideal day for windsurfers, but a somewhat inhospitable environment for us land-bound folk.
We enjoyed a quick walk around the bay and activities inside the visitor center.
The kids brushed up on knot tying on the way to another Junior Ranger badge.
Always looking for a good BBQ joint, we gave Shiver’s a try on the way home. YUM!
With the Everglades and Biscayne NP sufficiently explored, the time came for another change in latitude. We’ll see if that affects our attitude.
Does this mean every day forward you will be moving closer to home?
Well, once we depart the keys we will be moving closer to home…at least for some time. We will likely head up the east coast to see D.C. and NY before coming home.
I believe the Everglades would be my kind of place, even though I’ve never been there.
I have no doubt you would enjoy the Everglades!