May 8, 2016

Flamingo Visitor Center

Everglades National Park
We're continuing with our adventure through Everglades National Park! The park is vast. Spanning nearly 2,400 square miles, it's the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.  Translation:  lots to explore!  The SDP Junior Editor and I entered the park via the Ernest Coe Visitor Center near Florida City.  From there, you can drive 38 miles to the southern tip of the park --- which, of course, we did.  And, this is part of what you'll see: the Flamingo Visitor Center, an unremarkable structure located next to a marina on Florida Bay.  (At the marina, we actually saw an adult and juvenile seahorse swimming in the sea grass near the surface next to the boat docks.  Very cool experience.)

Everglades National Park

And, this is the view behind the visitor center.  Amazing! Mangroves, big sky, and beautiful blue water stretching as far as the eye can see.  It almost feels like you're at the end of the earth.  Technically, I suppose, you could say you're at the end of Florida here, before heading to the Florida Keys.  See those dark blobs on the horizon?  Those are just a few keys scattered throughout the bay.  You may have heard of the 10,000 islands in Florida?  This is part of that vast chain of mangrove islands.  While they're uninhabited, the park allows "back country" camping on several keys.  It's not for the faint of heart, though.  According to a kayak outfitter website I found, one of the closest park approved campgrounds is 12-15 miles (one way) from this spot.  Whew!  

8 comments:

Jack said...

So cool, SRQ. I haven't been here. Next season!

Lowell said...

I think I mentioned I was there once, many years ago, but didn't stay long as the mosquitos were out in such force that you couldn't breathe without inhaling a million of them! But it is a beautiful part of our state and our country. I was struck by how many islands there were and how easy it would be to get forever lost amidst the water and the foliage. :)

Nancy J said...

Beautiful, peaceful, and a wonderful view of water and beyond.

Bill said...

Nice scenery and very peaceful looking.

William Kendall said...

What a lovely area!

Michelle said...

A beautiful area, but I don't think I will be camping there!

Kate said...

I'd love to explore that area as would my DH. So different and so beautiful.

Brian King said...

That view is outstanding!