Why not Spend a Day in the Everglades?

  The Florida Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands make up one of North America’s most intriguing and beautiful untouched wilderness areas. This rugged subtropical landscape is everything you’d expect it to be and more!   Grass prairies, distant marshes, remote lakes and pristine tropical forests stretch as far as the eye can see.   You’ll be truly amazed by the rich diversity of wildlife here which includes alligators, ospreys, Great Blue herons, Snowy Egrets, Purple Gallinules, and Roseate Spoonbills along with many other species. There are numerous opportunities for exploration in the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands, whether you prefer camping, hiking, birding, or taking a ride on an airboat!   This vast nature reserve includes the ever popular 6,400 acre Collier-Seminole State Park, 11,000 acre Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Big Cypress Preserve, Everglades National Park, and the Fakahatchee Strand which is really a slow-moving river system accessible only by boardwalk or guided tour. Fishing, kayaking and boating are other popular pastimes which are enjoyed by visitors to the Everglades.   When it comes to fishing, anglers can take their pick of light tackle spin-fishing, ultra-light or fly fishing for tarpon, speckled trout, redfish, snook, bass and a host of others. The seemingly endless treasure of mangroves is a sight to behold whether you prefer to take a walking tour or view the “Glades” by airplane, airboat, canoe, bus, van or bicycle.   Visitors of all ages are sure to find a wide variety of intriguing activities to be enjoyed in this diverse natural ecological environment. If you’re looking for suitable lodging in the area, you can check out the accommodations in Everglades City, Port of the Islands and Seaboard Village.  Marco Island and Naples are a short drive away, just 35 or 40 miles. You can also find tourism information at the Everglades Chamber of Commerce, which is located at the intersection of Tamiami Trail and State Road 29.   Just one word of advice before you come…be sure to pack your hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen ‘cause the sun’s always shining on the Everglades in South Florida!

Published on Saturday, May 22, 2010