Exploring 10,000 Islands in the Florida Everglades

My husband and his friend took an overnight kayaking trip around the 10,000 Islands area on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, part of  Everglades National Park. Here he is to tell you a bit about the adventure . . .

Everglades National Park is possibly the most misunderstood park in the country. Most people think it’s just a swamp; full of snakes and alligators. . .  a “river of grass”. But it’s a lot more. It’s also huge bodies of water. Islands. Birds. Saltwater. Fresh water. Land. Sand. Mangroves. Deer. Orchids. Sharks. Crocodiles. Mystery. History.

In a few paddle strokes, you leave civilization behind and enter a world where nature is on full display. As Mike and I paddled along, we heard birds screeching at each other. From around an island, an osprey flew straight toward us, frantically clutching a fish for lunch. Right behind him, a majestic bald eagle chased the osprey, causing him to drop his fish in the water. The eagle swooped down and grabbed the fish from the water and flew off. Then the osprey turned and pursued the eagle. Some type of game of survival tag.

At night, as we camped on a beach in the Gulf of Mexico (Picnic Key), all we could hear were crickets chirping, waves lapping, birds calling and the breeze whistling. The stars wheeled overhead and the almost full moon rose in the sky. The campfire, dutifully placed below the high tide line, crackled and sparked. As we sat there in silence, drinking cans of Coke Zero, we noticed a boat speed into an inlet next to the island. Shortly after, we were greeted by a flashlight wielding, gun packing Park Ranger. “Do you have your permit?” yes, of course, it’s right there on the tent. “That’s an awfully big tent, are you sure there’s only 2 of you? It says here there’s supposed to be two of you”. yes, there’s only two of us, we’re close friends, but not THAT close. we need our space. “I see you put your campfire below the high tide line… that’s good. I had to yell at some other people tonight and believe me, if they don’t put the fire in the right place tomorrow night, they’re going to get fined.” yes, sir, that only seems fair. “Well, you boys have a good night. You know about the tides and whatnot?” yes, we do. we have the tide schedule and we subtract an hour and a half from these times. “OK, good night. Be safe. Watch out for raccoons.”  OK, so maybe we didn’t leave civilization so far behind after all.

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