South Florida over Thanksgiving! We escaped the chilly temps in Georgia to the tropical temperatures of South Florida. November is an ideal time of the year to visit the Everglades.
Everglades Adventure: A Family Journey through Nature
Day One: Immersed in the Wild
Long Pine Key Campground
Our journey began at the Long Pine Key Campground. Setting up our camper took about an hour, battling a swarm of eager mosquitoes. It was a true immersion into the untamed side of the Everglades.
Coopertown’s Original Airboat Tour
Next up was Coopertown, where an exhilarating airboat ride awaited us. The highlight? Spotting a real alligator in its natural habitat! The kids even got to pet a baby alligator during an educational show at their alligator zoo. A perfect blend of thrill and learning.
Big Cypress National Preserve
At the Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center, we delved into the history of alligator wrestling and, unsurprisingly, saw more alligators. Grabbed our ranger badges and off for a hike. This place really lives up to its reputation!
The Python Problem
We learned about the invasive Burmese pythons – giants that can stretch incredibly long. These snakes found their way here and are now a big challenge, with a unique volunteer program paying hunters $50 a foot to capture them.
Kirby Storter Roadside Park
Our hike along a raised boardwalk here gave us a glimpse into the vast marshlands of the Everglades, stretching from Lake Okeechobee to the southern tip of Florida.
Shark Valley’s Bobcat Boardwalk Trail
Though Sharktown Valley was flooded, we enjoyed hiking the Bobcat Boardwalk trail, complete with an off-trail alligator sighting!
Alligator vs. Crocodile
Ended the day with a fun educational session comparing alligators and crocodiles. Spoiler: It’s all in the color, snout and teeth!
Day Two: Cultural Explorations and Unexpected Turns
A Rough Night and Cuban Delights
After a night of battling a mysterious lurker mosquito that snuck in the camper and Lincoln’s cough, we indulged in delicious Cuban cuisine at Havana Spice in Homestead, Florida. A must-try when in South Florida!
Biscayne National Park
The serene beauty of Biscayne National Park was next on our list, with a heritage boat cruise offering stunning views and a peaceful retreat. Great for all ages!
The Story of Sir Lancelot Jones
We were inspired by the tale of Sir Lancelot Jones, who lived on Biscayne Key a man who overcame immense racial challenges to become a respected community member and a key figure in the region’s history.
“Lancelot honed his skills in agriculture, as a fisherman, as a guide and was a respected member of the community. He triumphed over the racial atmosphere of Miami-Dade County and is a person many feel should be held with the same regard as Julia Tuttle and Henry Flagler”, according to Senator Bullard.
At 93, he felt air conditioning and ate ice cream the first time when he was forced to permanently leave the island due to Hurricane Andrew, laying to rest at the ripe age of 99. What an incredible life!
Key vs. Island
A fun educational tidbit: we discussed the difference between a key and an island. Did you know that keys are formed by vegetation and islands by volcano?
Boca Chita Historic District
Our final stop was the Boca Chita Historic District, once a hotspot for extravagant parties and now a popular day trip destination for Miami’s boaters.
Homeward Bound
Unfortunately, due to Lincoln’s illness, we had to cut our adventure short by one day and head back to the grandparents’. This trip was packed with unforgettable experiences and lessons in the beauty and complexity of nature.
Stay tuned for more of our family adventures in the wild!
