Everglades
Think Kansas grasslands under water, with gators gliding through, a serene quiet after the glitz of Miami, and slow moving channels of water making their way to the ocean. The Everglades are of tremendous importance, ecologically, and their quiet beauty will captivate you. It’s not all swamp buggies and noise. Along Everglades’ western shore you can canoe through these waters, remembering to spray well for mosquitos. There are elevated boardwalks for hikes of different lengths, some suitable for biking. In Everglades National Park you’ll discover1.5 million acres of parkland which is merely one fifth of the area. There are hotels, campgrounds, primitive sites, found only by canoe or boat.
Our favorite trail is named after the prehistoric looking anhinga bird, who can be seen with wings full out, drying in the sun so he can go diving for fish again. Starting at the Royal Palm Visitor Center, you will soon see gators who gather around their “hole”, depressions that they make to find water in the dry months. Notice the strangler figs taking on the stately mahogany trees, just a few of the rich diversity of life here.
Be sure to try some gator nuggets while you’re here, a switch from seafood, but tasting like, uh, chicken, of course!
J T’s Island Grill and Gallery: Really out of the way, funky as can be little dinner joint that is everything really old Florida used to be, with good food and tons of atmosphere.
238 Mamie St, Ochopee, (239) 695-3633
Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe: $ Near the Shark Valley bike trail, good shrimp and poor boy sandwiches, gator and frogs legs with live music on the porch in a pretty cool setting.
39395 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, (239) 695-2682
Camellia Street Grill: $$ Great grouper, frogs legs, gator, music, setting, funky, funky, funky, but that’s part of the Everglades thing, so sit back and get into it.
202 Camellia St, Everglades City, (239) 695-2003
Oyster House Restaurant: $$ Across from the Gulf Coast visitor center of Everglades National Park, this place is authentic backwoods, as is the fried Everglades swamper food. No whiners allowed. Kick back and watch an amazing sunset over the 10,000 islands.
Chokoloskee Causeway/Hwy #29 S, Everglades City, (239) 695-2073
Habana Cafe: $$ Way out here in the middle of nowhere, there’s great Cuban food, good breakfasts, fried grouper, black beans, stone crab. Best to call first in case they’re out fishing.
801 S Copeland Ave, Chokoloskee, (239) 695-2214
Watercolor by Peter Bailey