To the Everglades

 

Three Intrepid Airboat Sailors
Everglades Safari Park
October 7, 2020

It is October in Florida and there is no better time than now to go for an airboat ride in the Everglades. The warm 85 degree weather made for a perfect afternoon ride through the world's slowest river.

Chris and I took our grandson, Ethan for a ride on a real airboat--there was good physical distancing on the airboat, although I wore my mask the entire time.

It was about a 2 hour drive to Everglades Safari Park where we embarked upon the airboat. We had enjoyed air boating through the Everglades a number of years ago from the Everglades Safari Park, and decided to return. The COVID-19 pandemic has not been kind to the park as it is clearly in a state of disrepair, but the alligator show after the airboat ride was interesting and Ethan did get a nice photo with a real baby gator. 

Ethan with a Gator
Everglades Safari 
Park
October 7, 2020

The ride was pleasant and speedy. We cruised over the grasses and had a great time. Sadly, we did not find any gators or other significant wildlife out in the 'glades. There was one white egret--but that was the extent of the wildlife--even the birds were scarce.

It was a great day even considering the long ride. It was fun to get out and enjoy the natural beauty, almost unspoiled, of the Everglades. 

We realized that the Everglades National Park  at 2357 square miles, is larger than Rhode Island and just a few square miles smaller than Delaware. There are reportedly 200,000 alligators living within the Everglades. The entire Everglades region is about 7,800 square miles which makes it larger than Connecticut as well as Delaware and Rhode Island. It is big and sometimes we lose sight of how vast the region is and how it needs to be protected from encroachment by civilization.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, Florida