December 4, 2010

Everglades National Park -

We toured Shark Valley which is one of four of the Everglades National Park visitor centers. At this center you can walk, bike or take a tram.  Bird and alligator viewing are among the Park's best here.  It was very cold the day we toured so we took the tram.  Of the 1.5 million acres which comprise the park, the highest point is ten feet above sea level.  The flatness of the land reflects the fact that for most of its days Florida has been covered with a shallow sea.  The Everglades is a one to three foot marshy river 50 miles wide and 120 miles long flowing from central Florida to the sea.  Due to water management efforts, the Park has lost 80 percent of the water that enters the system.  Efforts are underway to correct that and during our drive from Pompano south and then west on route 41, the road is being raised to sit on pillars allowing the water to flow freely

We did see one species not indigenous to the Everglades - a large Boa Constrictor.  These "pests" have found their way into the park after being left loose when they grew too large as a household pets.  Our guide marked the spot with his hat and radioed for a ranger to come out and shoot the snake.  Halfway through our 15 mile trip we stopped and saw the view from the 65-foot water tower.  Along the path we saw alligators with their babies sunning on their backs.  After the motor tour we walked along the pathways.  Turning down one path we saw an alligator stretched across the path sunning itself not ten feet from us. 

We saw just a tiny part of the Everglades National Park.  To the northwest is Big Cypress National Preserve, to the east Biscayne National Park and to the extreme southwest Dry Tortuga's National Park.  Tom would want me to report that we got into the park for free because he has his Senior Pass.  I'm sure if you have seen him, he has shown you.  My next report will be in the spring when at of the plans are finalized and I can send our itinerary.