Day 278 & 279 (Thu 4/25/13 & Fri 4/26/13)- The Everglades

 

Well known as a great place to see alligators, it didn't come as a surprise to run across some. What was surprising was Isaiah's talent of spotting one in every ditch along the drive as we sailed down the road (I am terrible at finding them). They were everywhere, but the biggest group was outside of the Oasis Visitor Center. We saw about ten there, in a small lake with several sunning themselves along the bank. They are deceptively sweet looking when they lounge and Isaiah had to remind me that the "kind smiles" on their faces would signify something else should I fall into the water.

We drove the lower portion of the park on day two in the Everglades and ended up at the Flamingo Visitor Center. While we had light on our side we ventured out to find a hiking trail we had heard good things about. Walking through an eerily half deserted camp ground reminded us of the T.V. show "Lost" and set a foreboding tone.

The sinister feeling heightened when we entered the trail and were immediately attacked by a storm of mosquitoes, of some sort of superior mutant breed, seeming to thrive on our bug spray. Their biting grew with every step. Thankfully for our skin we weren't able to go far since the trail was washed out, just far enough to see ominous animal tracks (bear, I think). Heading back to the Visitor's center we were able to catch glimpses of the endangered American crocodile that lives in the marina canals.

We spent hours upon hours circling Miami like a hungry crocodile. We could not penetrate past the outlying towns. We came at it from all sides. We tried three different park and rides. The only option we could find would have us getting off at the downtown station with enough time to re-board the bus back to the park and ride. There was copious amounts of sweat and swears and near tears. Oh, and there is no friendly Walmarts for like 6 hours, the whole eastern shore it seems. By far the least accessible city in America. It's the only major city we've had to abandon. Some are surprisingly easy to navigate, other not nearly, but we've always been able to find a parking lot or park and ride and take a rail or bus in. We did get an amazing Cuban buffet though.

Doesn't it look kind of sweet?