Untethered : Global Nomads: South Florida National Parks and Wildlife Refuge 12Feb to 18Feb 2021

We spent 7 days in the Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Park, Biscayne National Park and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge hiking, biking, kayaking and sailing. Another adventure packed full of outdoor activities and adventures with friends we have made prior to and during the trip. We met another couple that have been boondocking in their Tiffin Wayfarer, similar to what we are doing. Tolga and Erich are working virtually with clients. They are respectfully from Oregon and Chicago, Erich's parents live in St. Petersburg, FL.

The Everglades is an UNESCO World Heritage site making up 1,508,966 acres (610, 670 hectares) complex of federal and state (Florida) protected areas, including the Big Cypress National Preserve (295,000 hectares), Biscayne National Park (70,000 hectares), Dry Tortugas National Park (24,300 hectares), 10 National Wildlife Refuges, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

We parked at Royal Palms Visitor area and trailhead for Ahinga and Gumbo Limbo Trails. It stopped raining when we were getting out of the RV to walk over to the Ranger Outdoor Station for information.

We drove around to find the address Keith lived at during his time in Homestead and before Florida City was founded.

Robert Is Here is a must stop before going the 50 miles to Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park. The freshest produce, The shakes here are to die for.

Gumbo Limbo Trail

We hiked 1.35 miles on the Gumbo Limbo and aching Trail Loops at the entrance to Everglades National Park at Royal Palms visitor center.

Purple Gallinule on the Ahinga Trail

Double-crested cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Sunset

Sunset without telephoto

Sunrise at Flamingo Campground

We bike constantly between the marina and campground on the Guy Bradley Hiking Trail, a sort of short trip between both. We spent our time on J. and Barry's catamaran, getting to know them better since we met them a couple of years ago.

We took the Bear Lake Trail from the Marina 2.35 back and forth, nice day for a hike and bike. Tolga and Erich joined us, we had fun hanging out, while getting to know them better. Afterwards Tolga had a teleconference, so Keith and I left with Erich to kayak Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail taking it through the short cut, since Tolga was finishing work at 14:00.

We had a fun time out on the pond kayaking through the mangroves and ponds. It was shallow in spots (Ranger told Erich it would be difficult to do the full loop due to lack of rain and shallow spots).

Kayaking the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail

We used Erich's tandem inflatable while Erich used Tolga's

The view along Everglades National Park Nine Mile Pond canoe trail.

Nine Mile Pond Trail, 3.45 miles in under 2 hours

Osprey nest off Guy Bradley Trail

The following day we rode the bikes to Bear Trail from the marina and back 11.2 miles in total, plus the hike of 2.35 miles. We returned to the boat, the African Sweet Potato Stew was completed then we set off for a sunset sail. We had a lovely sail.

Bear Lake Hiking and Canoe Trails

Ibis seen off the trail

J, Keith, Tolga, Erich and Barry on s/v Gaedr

Sunset sail

Erich and Tolga

Erich left for St. Petersburg that evening, we went back to the rig to sleep. The next morning we left Flamingo Campground to bike at Snake Bight (was highly recommended by the Park Ranger). We did 2.5 miles at Sanke Bight, very humid and warm February day.

After the bikes, we drove to Long Pine Key Campground and found two sites, one for us and the other for Tolga. The park applied the Senior Pass to both sites. The next day Keith worked outside Tolga's rig while I walked around. I eventually found Long Pine Tree Trail and walked about .85 miles encountering a lot of water along the trail.

Snake Bight Trail

Snake Bight is a ghost town within Everglades National Park, the trail marks the location of the former town, approximately 1.5 miles off the main road.

Hiking Long Pine Key Nature Trail through the mud and water, it got too deep to continue

Tickseed and Northern Crab Spider

Sun setting in Long Pine Key Campground

Sunset Long Pine Key Campground, our last night in the Everglades

We stopped at Robert Is Here for shakes and produce, had a snack before we left. We made it to Cracker Barrel for an overnight stop, before heading to Biscayne National Park. While walking around the land portion of Biscayne we found a trail and boardwalk.

Great Blue Heron was hunting while we observed

We arrived at Shark Valley passing numerous airboat rides, entering the Miccosukee Indian Reservation and passing the casino 20 miles prior. All the airboat rides were closed due to COVID. We were able to complete a 15 mile bike ride on the Shark Valley Tram Loop then we walked part of the Bobcat Loop before calling it a day here.

We really enjoyed the beauty of the park and nature with so many birds and alligator on the last part of the ride.

Shark Valley Observation tower

Tram arrived and so did the people, down we go

Shark Valley from the observation deck

Shark Valley

Great Blue Heron, Shark Valley

Large Female alligator not far from the little ones

About 10 small alligators along the path

We made to Big Cypress National Park. stopped at Oasis Visitor Center. It is 90° here as we make our way westerly. While Keith was working, I went for a walk on the boardwalk and then the Florida National Scenic Trail partway, some of it is underwater.

We left the Visitor Center to Monument Lake Campground. Primitive camping with vault toilet and regular toilets. We found a couple of spots here and took site 5. Quiet and peaceful. We had pasta with sauce for dinner and watched Netflix then turned in around 9:00.

Three National Parks completed and Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge next.

Great White Heron at Oasis Visitor Center, Big Cypress National Preserve

Florida Trail Southern Terminus

Lantana

Sunset Monument Lake Campground, Big Cypress

Monument Lake Campground sunrise

Sunrise coming up with mist/fog over the swamp

Walk around to the other side of the lake for this shot

The Monument Lake Campground abuts a historical site. That took place on February 22, 1936, the pine hammock now known a Monument Lake was the site of a conference attended by 275 Seminoles and several representatives of state and local government. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss with the Seminoles what the government could do to assist the Indians in those trying times. The Seminoles appreciated the offer of aid but fearing removal from the Everglades, gave the Governon this reply: "Pohan Checkish" - "Just leave us alone." There is a monument near the entrance of the park.

Woodstork

Snowy Egret

Wide dirt road loop is the birding trail off Tamiami Trail near H.P. Williams Park

Snowy Egret gather for mid-day sun

Anhinga, Snow Egret, juvenile White Ibis and Woodstork gathered here on the final leg of the loop

Snowy Egret and juvenile White Ibis

Our last day touring the most southern portion of Florida ends in Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge with a trip to Chokoloskee Island and Smallwood Store (which was closed).

We decided to drive to Marsh Trail Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Reserve for sunset. We made it just as the sun set and the birds were flying in. The colors were amazing, the birds were outstanding. This is a place we will return.