En route, we stopped off at Florida City to grab some breakfast at The Cracker Barrel. We went traditional with grits, stewed apple, country ham, eggs, sausage patty, bacon, biscuit and cowboy gravy. It was really good, even the grits!
Fueled up, we then went in search of some more alligators! First stop was the Ernest F Coe Visitor Center where we bought our Park Passport (to be stamped in each National Park) and our 'America The Beautiful' pass which gives us entry to all the National Parks for up to a year.
Next we headed to Royal Palm Visitor Center where we did the two short trails. The first was the 1/2 mile Anhinga Trail which was an easy boardwalk over a freshwater slough. We saw lots of different animals included alligators, birds, fish and a turtle.
We then did the second trail, the 1/2 mile Gumbo Limbo which is named after a tree with red peeling bark. The trial went through a elevated island of tropical hardward, it was a nice break to be under the cooler trees and we saw a raccoon!
We then went down the road to Pa-hay-Okee Overlook (meaning "grassy waters", which is the Native Indian name for the Everglades). The observation platform looked out to an endless prairie of grassy waters.
Next steps was the Mahogany Hammock Trail which was supposed to lead to the largest living mahogany tree in the USA. If it was there, we didn't see it as we ran down this trail being chased by horse flies who decided that British blood was on the menu today.
(NB: I was laughing at Lee at this point being eaten and then the little buggers turned on me! Luckily, I was the one with the camera!)
Finally at the end of the road we hit Flamingo. It wasn't until this point did we realise the extent of the damage Hurricane Irma had on Florida. What was supposed to be the tourist hub of the Everglades and a great place to camp and picnic, was really quiet and quite derelict. Most of the buildings (including the Marine Store and the Tourist Center) were closed, there were no boat tours running and the Marina was very empty apart from few small boats and a canoe hire company. We later found out that Flamingo took the full force of the hurricane and is still recovering although they hope to reopen most of it later this year.
After a short stop to walk around the Marina, we headed back towards Florida City. We did two stops on the way back. The first was for a picnic lunch at West Lake. The picnic was the left over biscuits from breakfast covered in Jam. Shame we didn't have any clotted cream, it could have been a lovely afternoon tea!
Then at 9 Mile Pond where we saw these scary looking Turkey Vultures who apparently attack cars so we took a picture and then headed off... quickly!
On the way to the hotel in Florida City, I was allowed to drive. I think it was successful, I didn't damage us or the car but Lee seems very keen to keep on driving (which works for me!)
We then finished our day chilling out by the hotel pool and then eating steak, home made bread and cinnamon butter and a whole bucket of monkey nuts (Lee!) at Texas Roadhouse.
great wildlife pics and also like the bucket of Monkey nuts, I'd have been on that!!
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