Because we both feel so incredibly lucky to be married to each other, we decided that this anniversary needed to be appropriately honored. We discussed some ideas, and then Chris went to town, plotting and planning a celebratory trip.
As an amateur photographer and bona fide nature lover, I have always wanted to spend some time in the Everglades. Chris was not particularly intrigued by this plan, but since it was something that would please me, he went all out to find the perfect place for us to stay while we did some eco tours of the National Park in the Everglades. We tend to prefer staying in places that are a little quirky. There is nothing wrong with your modern Best Western or Holiday Inn, but if we can find something off the beaten path, perhaps a little older, and even a bit shabby, (but clean!) that suits us just fine. He found just the place... and we had three nights in a sweet little nest that was almost a miniature apartment. It had a living area, a wee kitchen, outfitted with basic utensils, a massive king sized bed, and a tidy little screen porch with comfortable patio furniture. The place was set on a picturesque marina, and had a very good restaurant on the grounds, which was lucky, because there was not much else for quite a distance. The staff were so friendly, kind and helpful, we were immediately immersed in the best of southern hospitality.
Our first morning there we went on an airboat tour. I was hoping we would catch a glimpse of an alligator. While we were waiting to get on the boat, we looked out and saw not one, but 3 large gators cruising around the dock area. I was overjoyed, and it only got better from there. I don't know what I was expecting, but my face nearly froze into the enormous grin I had plastered across it once we were underway.
The air boat captain was knowledgeable, young and bold. It was clear he loved his work, and he put that boat through its paces, racing through the saw grass and mangroves, making sharp twists and wild turns, slamming to dramatic stops so we could see alligators or rare birds like these Black Necked Stilts. It was like a ticket to a thrill ride, only so much better.
After that delight, we explored a bit and grabbed a bite of lunch. Then, since we'd had such a great time on that tour, we signed up for one on a larger, expedition-type boat that would take us out onto the Gulf. We learned about the geography of the area, the Calusa Indians who had once inhabited this glorious place and made midden islands from billions of shells collected and strategically placed, and the wildlife that inhabit or migrate through the rich waters. Dolphins danced in our wake, and to my glee, we were able to nuzzle the boat up right next to an Osprey nest, on which a mother and her 3 nearly grown chicks were resting. They didn't seem to be bothered by our presence at all.
Delighted by the days events, we had an excellent supper, then took glasses of wine and sat by the marina as the sun sank rosily down. We were the only people there, but pelicans and sea birds flew overhead, and soon a log came floating towards us. Once it got closer, we realized it was a rather large alligator, 9 feet long or so. It dove down in the water that edged the fish cleaning station beside us, and soon came up with the recently filleted carcass of an enormous catch. The gator then cruised around a bit, jockeying the fish for position between its jaws, Head up out of the water, so close we could count the fins on his find, he finally got it just so, head first, and with a few exaggerated, splashy, neck tosses gulped it down. With that accomplished he sank silently into the dark water and vanished.
The next day we headed out in the marvelous Jeep Chris had rented for us. We took the roof panels off, and headed for the Shark Valley section of the park. The air smelled like the inside of a well-planted green house, warm and moist, sweet with life and promise. Our destination was about an hours drive from our hotel, down the scenic Tamiami Highway. We had been advised by a ranger we chatted with that we would see so many alligators there that we would get sick of them. He was almost correct.
We saw very large alligators, quite up close. (How the pet groomer in me wanted to trim those claws!)
Piles of recently hatched baby alligators soaking up the sun.
And even a mother wearing one of her young like a jaunty chapeau.
There were birds... so many more birds. I will share them with you in my next post.
The next day, as we drove off to the second part of our adventure, Chris said, "I've been at zoo's where you didn't see that much density of animals. I'd like to go back." The Everglades and I had won him over.
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