Florida: Everglades National Park

Another day of the trip - here we are in Everglades National Park. The largest subtropicalwilderness in the United States, it contains the southern 25 percent of the original Evergladesmarshland region of southwestern Florida. It is visited by one million people each year, and it is the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states after Death Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance.

Our adventure through Everglades started at Everglades Alligator Farm. Spending $20 we were able to see all the alligators in the farm as well as the alligator and snake show plus the airboat tour. For those with huge curiosity as mine I found sth about the airboats tour: 'Shallow-draft, fan-powered airboats were invented in the Everglades by frog hunters who were tired of poling through the brushes. Airboats cut through the saw grass and are sort of like hydraulic boats; at high-enough speeds, a boat actually rises above the saw grass and into the air. Even though airboats are the most efficient (not to mention fast and fun!) way to get around, they are not permitted in the park -- these shallow-bottom runabouts tend to inflict severe damage on animals and plants. Just outside the boundaries of the Everglades, however, you'll find a number of outfitters offering rides. Tip: Consider bringing earplugs, as these high-speed boats are loud.' And it was really loud - we had to put on our foam earplugs.

After the airbout tour comes time for the great wilderness and trails of Everglades NP.
As we wanted to see much with lost of not much time, we drive trough all the the trails of Everglades pulling over just for quick view at the wildlife of the trails:
- Pinelands trail - 1/2-mile loop, explores the subtropical pine forest maintained by fire. The pinelands are the most diverse land habitat in South Florida.
- Pa-hay-okee Overlook with the great panoramic view ot the 'River The grass'.
- Mahogany Hammock - glades and loops through a subtropical tree island with massive mahogany trees.
- The West Lake Trail - 1/2-mile boardwalk, loops deep into the forest of salt-torelant, proop-rooted mangrove trees.
- To finaly get to 1/4-mile walk from visitor center in Flamingo (Bobcat Boardwalk), loops trough sawgrass prairie and bayhead.